Delicious English muffins made from scratch with einkorn flour. They are soft and chewy and full of flavor.
These einkorn english muffins are moist, light and flavorful, they toast up crisp and delicious. They are so much better than store bought ones.
What Is Einkorn Flour?
I wish I could send you one of these einkorn English muffins to taste. I believe it would convince you that einkorn flour is simply delicious. If you haven’t’ heard of einkorn before, it is an ancient grain and the purest form of wheat that has never been hybridized. It is more flavorful than modern day wheat plus it is more nutritious and easier to digest.
The einkorn flour is not only full of flavor but it has an exceptional nutrient profile. Einkorn is higher in protein than normal wheat and it is a good source of thiamin, phosphorus, iron, fiber and lutein, a powerful antioxidant known to benefit eye and cognitive function.
Here Are Some Tips For Making Yeast Breads With Einkorn Flour.
- Einkorn bread does not need to be kneaded because it will not develop the gluten. As a matter of fact over-working the dough will break the gluten down and make the dough stickier, harder to handle and can create a more crumbly texture after it is baked.
- Since the gluten in einkorn is weaker than standard bread dough, it will not support a high rise. If you bake bread with modern flour you would typically allow the bread to double in size but if you attempt this with einkorn flour, the gluten will not be able to support the taller structure and and it Einkorn has gluten but the gluten is much different than the gluten in modern wheat and although it is not recommended for anyone with celiac, some people that are sensitive to gluten find they can tolerate einkorn.
Compared to modern wheat, the gluten is weaker and the proteins, starches and fats are all profoundly different. This creates some differences in how it reacts with baking. It is especially different to bake with when you make yeast breads. With einkorn bread, only let the dough rise by half (if the dough is 2 inches tall, only allow it to rise to 3 inches). - Dough made with einkorn flour should be stickier and wetter than standard bread dough. If it feels easy to handle and shape without sticking to your dry hands, it is most likely too dry and will not rise as well and will bake up dry, dense, and firm. Instead of using flour to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, dip your hands in water and keep your hands wet. Wet hands will make it easier to handle the dough, preventing it from sticking to your hands while you shape it.
- Einkorn absorbs liquids and fats slowly, if the dough seems too wet on the initial mixing, allow it to rest and go through the first rise before adding more flour. If you do add more flour to the dough, only add enough so that it holds it’s shape but is still a sticky wet dough.
- If you add fats and eggs to the dough it will take more time to rise so keep the surface of the dough oiled or grease some plastic wrap and cover the dough while it rises to prevent the dough from drying out.
- Use a bench scraper or knife to divide the dough instead of pulling it apart which can tear the gluten. A bench scraper will also make it easier to keep your work surface clean.
Do You Use Yeast In English Muffins?
I use instant yeast in this recipe. Instant yeast does not have to be dissolved in water and proofed before using it. You can add it directly to the dry ingredients and save a step. Instant yeast reacts a bit quicker than active dry yeast but either yeast will work in this recipe. If you use active dry yeast increase the amount of yeast in the recipe by 1/2 teaspoon and dissolve it first.
The gluten in einkorn flour is weak and kneading the dough will break the gluten down. This recipe uses a technique of turning the dough then allowing it to rest while it absorbs the liquid and strengthens the gluten. You can skip this step and simply leave the dough alone for a couple of hours before dividing it and shaping it. I have done it both ways and there isn’t a big difference in the finished product however the folding technique creates a smoother dough and makes it slightly easier to handle.
This recipe has potato flakes added to the dough. It is optional. The potato flakes help lighten the texture of the bread but you will still have a lovely, chewy texture without them. The dough in this recipe is wetter than recipes made with traditional flour. Wet hands and a wet counter top will help keep the dough from sticking while you work with it. If you use flour to prevent your hands from sticking to the dough then the extra flour will make the dough too dry and your finished English muffins will be dense, dry and hard.
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Einkorn English Muffins
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups all purpose einkorn flour 540 grams
- 1/2 cup potato flakes 30 grams (optional but will help lighten the bread)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast 7 grams
- 1 3/4 cups warm milk 400 grams
- 1 egg room temperature
- 4 tablespoons 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons honey 60 grams
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, potato flakes, salt and yeast until combined. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, butter and honey. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir well to combine. The mixture will be wet and sticky and look a bit lumpy and under-mixed, it is perfect that way. Place the dough a well oiled bowl, cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 minutes. (If you scoop the dough out with wet hands, the dough will not stick to them as easily)
- Using wet hands so they don’t stick to the dough, lift the dough and fold it in half two or three times, then let it rest another 20 more minutes. Repeat this step two more times (folding it in half then letting it rest for 20 minutes). After the last folding process, cover the bowl and let it rest for 1 to 2 hours.
- Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Place the balls of dough on the parchment lined baking sheet and press down to flatten them. Keep the dough rounds spaced at least 2 inches apart. Use a sharp knife to cut the parchment paper between each piece of dough so they are all sitting on a small square of parchment, this will allow you to pick the dough up once it is proofed using the parchment without disturbing the proofed dough. Lightly spray the dough with oil and cover them with a light kitchen towel. Let them proof at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours until they are just half as tall. If you allow them to double in size, the gluten in the einkorn flour will not hold the shape and they will collapse.
Baking the English Muffins:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F then heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat on the stovetop.
- Slide a spatula under the parchment of the dough rounds and carefully transfer 3 to 4 pieces of dough onto the hot skillet. Cook the muffins for 6 to 8 minutes on each side until they are a light golden brown.
- Once they are browned on each side, transfer them back to the sheet pan and repeat with the other uncooked muffins.
- When all the muffins have been browned on both sides, place the sheet pans in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pans half way through the bake time.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 30 minutes. To split them open, insert the tines of a fork around the edges of the muffin and break them open.
Notes
- The gluten in einkorn flour is weak and kneading the dough will break the gluten down.
- This recipe uses a technique of turning the dough then allowing it to rest while it absorbs the liquid and strengthens the gluten. You can skip this step and simply leave the dough alone to proof for a couple of hours before dividing it and shaping it. I have done it both ways and there isn’t a big difference in the finished product however the folding technique creates a smoother dough and makes it slightly easier to handle.
- The potato flakes are optional, they they help lighten the texture of the bread but you will still have a lovely, chewy texture without them.
- The dough in this recipe is wetter than recipes made with traditional flour. Wet hands and a wet counter top will help keep the dough from sticking while you work with it. If you use flour to prevent your hands from sticking to the dough then the extra flour will make the dough too dry and your finished english muffins will be dense, dry and hard.
Ellen
Tuesday 26th of March 2024
Hi Dahn. We don't eat eggs do I'm wondering how these would turn out with it?
Dahn Boquist
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Well, I haven't tried this recipe without the egg. I don't know how it would turn out but I would try replacing the egg with 1/4 cup of mashed sweet potato. I hope that works for you.