You’re about to become the baker you always dreamed of with this Slow Cooker Bread. With a perfectly fluffy inside and a beautifully crispy outside, making homemade bread has never been easier!
I think we can all agree that homemade bread is always better than store bought bread. Are you with me? This homemade slow cooker bread only has 6 ingredients (one being optional) and it’s very likely you’ll already have them in your pantry! I mean who would have thought that this gorgeous loaf could be prepared in the same appliance designed to slowly cook meats, vegetables, and soups! It’s quite exciting if you ask me!
Out of all the breads I’ve made, this slow cooker version may very well be my favorite. And I’m telling you, when you realize how easy it is, you’re going to want to make it again and again! The best part is that this white bread recipe now becomes the base for any other variation of bread you may want to make in the future! Because trust me – you will.
Cooking temperatures will vary from slow cooker to slow cooker, but typically they reach a high of 200 degrees. Coincidentally, this is also the ideal internal temperature for baking most breads! Essentially, you just want to let your bread hang out in the slow cooker until it cooks all the way through – undercooked means gummy, not so tasty interiors.
There is also no need to let the dough rise before it’s put into the slow cooker because it’s going to both, bake and rise – you got it, at the SAME time! Think about it, the slow cooker really does have the ideal environment for dough to rise and bake at the same time. It’s genius.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Bread In A Slow Cooker?
After some trial and error – oh yes, plenty of that around here – average cooking time is about 2 hours. The first time you bake, it may be wise to check after an hour, and then every half hour, and then a little more frequently until it gets close to finishing.
You’ll know the bread is done when the bottom is slightly brown and the top no longer feels spongy. If you’re able, you can also check the internal temperature, which should read between 190 – 200 degrees.
Ingredients
- Water – We need lukewarm water to assist with the texture of our dough.
- Sugar – White, granulated sugar.
- Active dry yeast – This is our leavening agent that will help our bread rise. Instant yeast can be used as well.
- Salt – Not only does salt give a boost to the flavor of our bread but it will also helps add strength to the dough.
- Flour – Today I used all-purpose white flour – you’re welcome to try using other options of flour, but based on this recipe it may jeopardize the integrity of your bread.
- Cheese – I’m using some grated parmesan cheese for some extra flavor – this is optional! I’ve made it both ways and I can honestly say, not much difference.
How To Make Bread In A Slow Cooker
- Preheat: Turn the slow cooker on high and allow it to preheat. Line the slow cooker with parchment paper; close the lid.
- In the mixer: Add the water, yeast, and sugar and let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes until the yeast activates – you’ll notice it starting to rise in the mixer bowl. Next, add the salt, flour, and parmesan cheese and mix with the dough hook until well incorporated. You will know it’s ready when the sides of your bowl are clean.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the ball of dough to a lightly floured surface and knead only a few times until it is smooth. Finally, form the dough into a ball and place it into the preheated slow cooker; close the lid.
- Bake: Bake on high for 2 hours, checking occasionally.
- Brown the bread: Preheat your oven to 450 F degrees. Once finished in the slow cooker, place the bread with parchment paper onto a baking sheet and place in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes to brown the top!
Some Tips
- Prepare for some trial and error: You may not nail this recipe the first time you attempt it and that’s okay! Making bread can be a labor of love so maybe consider your first loaf or two as experiments! For example the first time I tried this, I placed the bread under the broiler to brown it, and it just didn’t come looking great. I found that 15 minutes at 450 F degrees is the perfect way to brown it.
- Line the slow cooker with parchment: This is going to make life so much easier when it comes time to remove the bread from the slow cooker onto a baking sheet. You want to handle the loaf as little as possible. Plus no cleanup!
- Minimally handle the bread: Handling the bread before it’s fully cooked can cause dimples and crush the crust – so keep it to a minimum if you can!
- Brown it in the oven: Ultimately, slow cooker breads don’t brown well or develop a crust the same way as oven-baked loaves, so you’re going to want to use the oven to get that aesthetically pleasing bread! . You can also brush a bit of butter on it to help it brown up!
Storing Leftover Bread
Homemade bread is not going to last as long as store bought bread! It’s going to be best to store it at room temperature in a cool dry place and in an airtight plastic bag, to last 2 -3 days. Unfortunately placing it in the fridge will not extend the life as the bread will become stale. Also keep in mind, that heat and humidity will cause the bread to mold.
If you want to freeze your slow cooker bread, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and it will last up to 3 weeks.
More Great Bread Recipes To Try:
- Old Fashioned Lemon Bread
- Cranberry Quick Bread
- Zucchini Bread
- No Knead Bread
- The Best Pumpkin Bread
- Skillet Irish Soda Bread
- Naan Bread
- Banana Nut Bread
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Slow Cooker Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup water lukewarm
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated, optional
Instructions
- Preheat: Turn the slow cooker on high and allow it to preheat. Line the slow cooker with parchment paper; close the lid.
- In the mixer: Add the water, yeast, and sugar and let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes until the yeast activates – you'll notice it starting to rise in the mixer bowl. Next, add the salt, flour, and parmesan cheese and mix with the dough hook until well incorporated. You will know it's ready when the sides of your bowl are clean.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the ball of dough to a lightly floured surface and knead only a few times until it is smooth. Finally, form the dough into a ball and place it into the preheated slow cooker; close the lid.
- Bake: Bake on high for 2 hours, checking occasionally.
- Brown the bread: Preheat your oven to 450 F degrees. Once finished in the slow cooker, place the bread with parchment paper onto a baking sheet and place in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes to brown the top!
Video
Recipe Notes
- Homemade bread is not going to last as long as store bought bread! It’s going to be best to store it at room temperature in a cool dry place and in an airtight plastic bag, to last 2 -3 days.
- Unfortunately placing it in the fridge will not extend the life as the bread will become stale. Also keep in mind, that heat and humidity will cause the bread to mold.
- If you want to freeze your slow cooker bread, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and it will last up to 3 weeks.
I don’t have a hook mixer can you mix it a different way? My first
Yes! You can absolutely use your hands. It will take more effort, but it’s always an option if you don’t have the proper mixing tools!
I just made this today and wow it’s amazing! Freshly cooked bread is much better than store bread for sure. Next time I’m going to add honey to it for some sweetness! My bread came out to 7 slices, is that how it should? Does the nutrition info change at all?
The nutritional info is a rough estimate, it will vary depending on slice size, ingredients used etc.
I haven’t made this yet but I have a question. Could you put the dough in a bread tin and then into the slow cooker for a more traditionally shaped loaf? My prime goal is to make bread for toast.
Oh I haven’t tried that, but I suppose it could work. Just wondering if the heat will penetrate through the bread tin. Do let me know how it turns out if you try it.
I forgot to rate it…
“Homemade bread is not going to last as long as store bought bread!”
You can say that again! This bread didn’t even last 30 minutes. 😛
It was so delicious. I whipped up some garlic butter and served it with Spaghetti. I have never had bread disappear so quickly.
Next time I will make 2 loaves.
This was my first time ever making yeast bread…never did I imagine using a slow cooker. The bread was easy to prepare and is delish! I added grated Pecorino and Herbs de Provence. It came out perfect following the instruction.
I’m so glad to hear you liked it!
An excellent post, congratulations !!
I love making this bread… I’ve never made bread before and when I found this recipe I decided to try it… It is very easy and quick …Thanks Jo. BTW, can we use Quick-rise Yeast instead of Active yeast? We bought the wrong one. by mistake
I have made this twice, my only issue is that I follow the directions exactly, yet less than an hour in my crock pot, the bottom burns. Do you think low temperature would be better?
Yes, try that!
I’ve made this recipe a few times now and used wholemeal flour and chopped rosemary instead of parmesan. It turned out great but a bi hard on the bottom. So now I make it in a loose bottomed cake tin in the slow cooker and it’s perfect as the dough doesn’t touch the bottom of cooker. Takes about 10 mins longer.
Hi, the taste of this recipe was great but my bread sunk down in the middle, any ideas why?
Your yeast may be a little stronger than ours! You can try again using a bit less yeast.
I have been making this bread weekly during self isolation. we love this recipe. comes out great every time. abiut to make another loaf now. simple and fabulous. thank you 💗
Hi, do you have to put sugar in? I always find shop bought bread sweet…
The sugar helps activate the yeast. Decrease to just 1 tsp and it’ll hardly be detectable.
First time EVER that I made bread..It was AMAZING..Another loaf on the go as we speak..Added spicy Peanut Butter this time instead of cheese…
If I don’t have a dough hook will it still work out ok for me. Thanks
Yes you can knead by hand!
Hi Jo
Does the recipe change in any way by using “instant yeast” instead of “Active yeast”?
You can use the same amount and just mix it straight in with the flour 🙂
Just made this and it is awesome! I used low on my crockpot cuz it said that would be 200 degrees. I’m at 8500 ft and it tasted great! It was dense bread…but I expected that…might try adding a touch of baking soda to see if I get a bit more.lift next time. Love it…thank you Jo!!!
This turned out great, so easy to make! My first time making
home-made bread, & really happy with the results.
I brushed melted butter over the top of the bread, before placing in the oven. Gave it extra flavor & helped to brown the bread more. Thx for the recipe.