Quick 20-Minute Homemade Bread Recipe
This Quick 20-Minute Homemade Bread recipe is perfect for when you need fresh, warm bread in a flash. Combining simple pantry staples with a brief rise and fast baking, it delivers a soft, golden loaf with a slightly crisp crust. Ideal for sandwiches, toast, or alongside your favorite meal, this bread is a delicious and effortless homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 0.75 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and instant yeast in a mixing bowl. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Make the dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil (or melted butter) to the yeast mixture. Stir everything together until a soft dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the loaf: Form the dough into a loaf shape with your hands. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Rest while preheating: Let the shaped dough rest for 5 minutes to allow a brief rise, simultaneously preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
- Brush and bake: Lightly brush the top of the dough with olive oil or melted butter to help develop a golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. This helps the texture set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use warm water around 110°F to properly activate the yeast; water that is too hot can kill the yeast.
- You can substitute olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- For best results, use instant yeast which doesn’t require prior proofing; if using active dry yeast, adjustments may be needed.
- This bread is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Brush with additional butter after baking for extra softness and flavor.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Keywords: quick bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, 20-minute bread, fast bread, yeast bread, simple bread
