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Whole Wheat Einkorn Bread

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This whole wheat einkorn bread has a mild, sweet, wheaty flavor and subtle nuttiness that you won’t find in any other bread. Einkorn flour brings incredible flavor and nutrition to this loaf and will surely become a family favorite. 

A loaf of whole grain einkorn bread sliced on a cutting board.
bread made with 100% whole wheat einkorn flour

Einkorn is an ancient grain that is the oldest variety of wheat known. It was one of the first grains to be cultivated, and it has never been hybridized or genetically altered, so it has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years.

I like to think of einkorn as God’s original design for wheat. It is wheat in its purest form. It has a better nutritional profile than modern wheat, with higher levels of protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

We have more bread recipes using einkorn, including einkorn sourdough bread, enriched einkorn sandwich bread, whole grain einkorn pizza dough, einkorn English muffins, and einkorn naan bread.

A loaf of bread made with 75% whole wheat einkorn flour.
bread made using 75% whole wheat einkorn flour

❤️ Why This Recipe Works

  • This recipe uses a smaller ratio of yeast to give the dough more time to proof and develop flavor. However, we have instructions for quicker proof if you want bread today. 
  • This recipe provides you with two options. One is a 100% whole wheat einkorn bread that offers all the nutrition and easy digestibility of einkorn. The second option uses 75% einkorn flour that gives you the sweet wheat flavor of einkorn but also creates a soft, fluffy bread with a tall loaf. 
  • Since the gluten in einkorn does not develop with kneading, the 100% einkorn bread is a simple no-knead bread recipe. You don’t even need to bother with a stand mixer. 
  • The bread’s mild, wholesome wheat flavor and nutty notes become even more pronounced after a day or two.
  • Since einkorn has a better nutritional profile than modern wheat, you know you are getting the healthiest bread available.  

A slice of bread made with 75% einkorn flour next to a slice of bread made with 100% einkorn flour.
On the left: 75% whole wheat einkorn bread. On the right: 100% whole wheat einkorn bread.

? Baking Bread with Einkorn

This is a relatively easy recipe, but it is much different than baking bread with modern wheat. Even though einkorn has more protein than regular wheat, the ratios of the gluten proteins are much different, and the gluten in einkorn is very weak. 

The weak gluten structure means:

  • Bread made with 100% einkorn will not rise as high or get light and fluffy like Wonder Bread
  • If you make bread using all einkorn flour, you only want to let the final proof rise to between 30% and 50% of its height. Any higher and the bread will collapse when it bakes. 
  • When you make 100% einkorn bread, do not knead the dough. If you over-work the dough, the gluten will become even more fragile. 

Some people add ginger or apple cider vinegar to the dough as an “old school” way to help enhance the rise of the bread. We do not recommend using either of these ingredients because the gluten in einkorn will not support a higher rise.

If you want your bread to rise higher and have a lighter, fluffier texture, you can replace some of the whole wheat einkorn with bread flour or add a couple of tablespoons of vital wheat gluten to the dough.

If you intend to make this bread for einkorn’s health benefits and easy digestibility, then adding bread flour or vital wheat gluten is somewhat counter-productive. However, it will still be much healthier than bread made entirely with bread flour. 

Einkorn flour, honey, salt, olive oil, yeast, and water.

The Ingredients

Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details. 

  • Whole grain einkorn flour. This recipe works with freshly milled flour or commercially milled flour
  • Salt. The salt enhances the whole-grain flavor and brings out the sweet, nutty notes of the wheat.
  • Instant dry yeast
  • Water
  • Honey. This recipe uses just enough honey to bring out the natural sweetness of the whole grain einkorn without making it a sweet bread. 
  • Extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil lends softness to the crumb and extends the shelf life by keeping it soft a little longer. If you use a good quality olive oil, hints of fruitiness from the oil will enhance the flavor of the bread. 

?‍? How to Make It

Here is a brief overview to get an idea of what to expect with the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

Mixing bread dough then letting it proof and finally putting it in a pan to rise.

  1. Whisk the einkorn flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. 
  2. Add the water, honey, and olive oil. Stir well.
  3. Let the dough proof.
  4. Scoop the dough into the pan and smooth it out, then let it rise in the pan.
  5. Bake then let it cool completely before slicing.

If you want to make the recipe for 75% whole wheat einkorn bread, use the stretch and fold method to strengthen the gluten in the bread flour.

Before and after photo of letting 100% einkorn bread rise by 30% before baking.
This is what the dough looks like when it rises 30% to 40% of its height in a 9-inch by 5-inch pan.

Before and after photo of einkorn bread dough proofing in an 8x4 pan.
This is what the dough looks like when it rises 30% to 40% in an 8-inch by 4-inch bread pan.

More Artisan Bread Recipes

Tips For Success

  • Want to mill your flour? We recommend using a flour mill to mill your own flour. Food processors, blenders, and spice grinders don’t work as well as flour mills which will grind the flour more finely. 
  • If you have an instant-read thermometer, the interior of the bread should reach 205°F when it is finished baking. 
  • You will have more success with this recipe if you use a scale to weigh your ingredients. If you don’t have a scale, lightly spoon the flour into measuring cups and level it with a knife. 
  • The dough will be sticky and wet. Don’t add extra flour, or the bread will turn out heavy and dense. The sticky dough is a natural characteristic of einkorn. If you make the version with bread flour added, the dough will be easier to work with.
  • Before handling the dough, moisten your hands with water so it won’t stick to you! 
  • Since einkorn flour has a weak gluten structure, aim to underproof the dough if you make the recipe for 100% einkorn bread. If you let this bread rise too much, it will collapse when you bake it. You only need to let the bread rise about an inch.

✅ Substitutions and Variations

Add nuts or seeds. Toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds are fantastic with this bread. Some other great options are anise seeds, caraway seeds, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Add 1/2 cup of nuts or seeds to the bread dough if desired. The bread will be a little heavier and denser with nuts and seeds.

Add garlic and herbs. Garlic, with rosemary, thyme, or oregano, taste fantastic in this bread. Basil and sun-dried tomatoes is another great combination. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of minced garlic or chopped herbs to the dough. 

50/50 whole wheat einkorn flour and all-purpose einkorn flour. If you want to make this variation, use 240 grams of whole wheat einkorn flour and 240 grams of all-purpose einkorn flour. Follow the recipe as written, however, you can let the bread rise to 50% of its height (slightly more than the 100% whole wheat einkorn version).

A slice of whole wheat einkorn bread with a pat of butter.

⏲ Storage 

At room temperature: If you want to keep the crust soft, wrap it in plastic or keep it in an airtight container. If you prefer a crunchy, hard crust, store it loosely in a paper bag. It will keep up to 5 days on the counter. 

Freezer: This bread will keep in the freezer for 3 to 6 months. Keep it wrapped tightly in freezer bags. I like to freeze individual slices and grab what I need for toast or sandwiches without thawing the entire loaf. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is einkorn wheat a whole grain?

Einkorn is a whole grain wheat berry, and it is the most ancient form of wheat. The flour milled from einkorn can be either whole grain or all-purpose flour. 

Does einkorn contain gluten?

Yes. The gluten in einkorn is weaker than gluten in modern wheat. Since the gluten in einkorn is a little different, some people find it easier to digest. However, einkorn still contains gluten and is not suitable for those with Celiac disease. 

Is einkorn bread good for you?

Nutritionally speaking, einkorn is a powerhouse of nutrients. It contains higher levels of protein, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins than modern wheat varieties. 

A loaf of bread made with 100% whole wheat einkorn flour.

More Einkorn Recipes

If you love baking with einkorn, try these recipes:

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Whole wheat einkorn bread on a cutting board.

Whole Wheat Einkorn Bread

The gentle, sweet wheat flavor and slight nutty undertone of whole grain einkorn bread make it stand out from any other bread. Along with its unique taste, this delicious bread is also packed full of nutrients.
We have two variations of this bread. You can make 100% einkorn bread which is denser than traditional bread but has an amazing flavor. Or, you can blend in some bread flour which will give the bread a light, soft texture while retaining a great deal of the einkorn flavor. We love both versions.
This recipe uses a smaller amount of yeast than traditional bread recipes in order to slow down the proof time and allow more flavor to develop. If you want to speed up the proof time, see the notes.
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf
Calories: 130kcal
Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

100% Whole Wheat Einkorn Bread

  • 5 cups whole grain einkorn flour 480 grams
  • 1-¾ teaspoons salt 11 grams
  • ¾ teaspoon instant dry yeast 3 grams, see notes
  • 1-½ cups water 354 grams
  • 3 tablespoons honey 60 grams
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 37 grams

75% Whole Wheat Einkorn Bread

  • 3-¾ cups whole grain einkorn flour 360 grams
  • 1 cup white bread flour or all purpose einkorn flour 120 grams, see notes
  • 1-¾ teaspoons salt 11 grams
  • ¾ teaspoon instant dry yeast 3 grams, see notes
  • 1-½ cups water 354 grams
  • 3 tablespoons honey 60 grams
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 37 grams

Instructions

  • For No Knead Whole Wheat Einkorn Bread
  • Whisk the einkorn flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. 
  • Add the water, honey, and olive oil. Stir until the dry ingredients are incorporated and a thick dough forms. The dough will be thick and sticky (almost like brownie batter).  
  • Spray the top of the dough with olive oil to prevent a skin from forming. Cover the bowl with plastic and let it rise at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours (if you place it in the fridge, you can let it proof for 6 to 8 hours to develop more flavor). 
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9 x 5-inch bread pan or an 8 x 4-inch bread pan with parchment paper. 
  • Scoop the dough into the pan and smooth it out with wet hands. The dough will be sticky and wet but if you keep your hands wet, they will not stick to the dough. 
  • Let the bread rise for 30 to 60 minutes or until it is 30% to 40% taller. Do not let the dough double in height or it will collapse when it bakes. If you are using a 9 x 5 pan, let the dough rise approximately 1 inch (it can rise a bit taller if you have an 8 x 4-inch pan).
  • Bake 38 to 48 minutes. If you have an instant read thermometer the internal temperature should be 205°F. 
  • Remove the bread from the loaf pan and place it on a wire rack to cool. Let the bread cool for 2 to 3 hours before slicing. 
  • For 75% Einkorn Bread
  • Whisk the einkorn flour, bread flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. 
  • Add the water, honey, and olive oil. Stir until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Let the bread rest for 10 minutes to hydrate the flour. 
  • Get your hands wet and grab an edge of the dough and stretch it up then fold it over itself. Give the bowl a quarter turn and repeat the stretch and fold. Continue the process two more times until you do four stretch and folds.
  • Let the dough rest for 15 minutes, then repeat the stretch and fold process and let it rest for another 15 minutes. Do one to two more sets of stretch and folds with a 15 minute rest between sets. Doing three to four sets of stretch and folds will strengthen the gluten in the bread flour without weakening the gluten in the einkorn flour. 
  • After you do 3 to 4 sets of stretch and folds, oil the top of the dough and cover the bowl with plastic. Let it rise for 3 to 4 hours or place it in the fridge to proof for 6 to 12 hours.
  • Preheat the oven and line a 9 x 5 inch bread pan with parchment paper. 
  • Transfer the dough to a wet counter and use damp hands to shape the dough into a loaf. If you keep the counter and your hands wet, the dough will not stick. Optionally, you can dust the counter with flour and keep your hands lightly floured to shape the dough. Use the technique that is easiest for you. 
  • Let the bread rise for 60 to 90 minutes or until it is about 60% to 75% taller than its original height (don't let it double, but you can let it get a nice mounded top).
  • Bake 38 to 48 minutes. If you have an instant read thermometer the internal temperature should be 205°F. 
  • Let the bread cool for 2 to 3 hours before slicing. 

Notes

  • We used a smaller proportion of yeast in order to give the bread a longer proof time and develop more flavor. For a quicker proof, increase the yeast to 2-¼ teaspoons (1 packet). Let the bread rise for 45 to 60 minutes, then scoop it into the pan and let it rise a second time for 30 to 45 minutes.
  • If you have an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature of the bread should be 205°F when it is finished baking. 
  • The 75% whole wheat einkorn bread makes a light, fluffy, soft bread and still retains a lot of the flavor from the einkorn flour. However, it won’t have the same nutritional profile as 100% einkorn bread. You can replace the bread flour with all-purpose einkorn flour which will help lighten the loaf but not as much as if you use bread flour.
  • If you line the bread pan with parchment paper, the bread will come out of the pan very easily. If you don’t have parchment paper and struggle to release the bread from the pan, let it sit in the pan for 10 minutes. If it sweats in the pan for a while, it will release easier. 
  • If you want to make a round boule with 100% einkorn flour, you will want to add an additional 25 to 30 grams of einkorn flour to the dough. The additional flour will allow the bread to keep a free-form shape. However, the bread will be heavier and denser. 
  • The gluten in einkorn flour is easier to digest than the gluten in modern flour, but it is not recommended for people with celiac disease.
  • The nutritional information below is based on 100% whole wheat einkorn bread and getting 20 slices from the bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 80mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g

Dahn Boquist

Dahn is a retired nurse, recipe creator, home cook, baker, and self-proclaimed foodie. She loves creating in the kitchen and cooking for family and friends. She lives in Washington State with her husband and dog. When she isn't cooking or baking, you can usually find her spending time with her grandchildren or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

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Recipe Rating




Ellie

Friday 16th of February 2024

Can you use 1 cup of all purpose einkorn, instead of the 1 cup of bread flour? Would that give a softer, lighter loaf of bread? Which recipe directions ( the 100% or the 75% recipe) would you follow using this modification?

Dahn Boquist

Friday 16th of February 2024

Yes, if you follow the 75% whole grain recipe, you can swap the bread flour for all purpose einkorn flour. The all purpose einkorn will help give the bread a lighter texture but not as light and fluffy as if you use bread flour but if you are after a 100% einkorn bread, that will work well. Thanks for the question, I will update the recipe card to reflect this option.

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