Lightly sweetened, maple oat sourdough sandwich bread features whole rolled oats and whole wheat flour. It has a soft tender crumb and earthy flavor, ideal for sammies and toast! This recipe is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Sourdough Love
There are many sourdough variations and while I adore a crusty classic or multigrain sourdough, I can never pass up a softer loaf for toast, sandwiches and of course, French toast.
So I set out to create a softer loaf with earthy flavors and in the shape of traditional sandwich bread. After tweaking the ingredients and testing to see if it holds up to the sandwich test, this loaf is my favorite of all.
Maple oat sourdough is tender, soft, light and with the earthiest of notes. Lightly sweetened, featuring rolled oats and whole wheat flour, its rustic flavors shine.
RELATED: Need a sourdough starter? Follow my DIY Sourdough Starter recipe.
How to Make Maple Oat Sourdough Sandwich Bread
If you’re in to making sourdough, you know it’s a process. Thing is, most of it is hands off time waiting for the dough to develop, waiting for it to rest, then waiting for it to come out of the oven. I tend to think about it longer than it takes the hands on time necessary to actually make it!
In summary, here’s how to make this sourdough:
- First, pour water over the soaker (in this case, rolled oats) then mix the dough.
- Second, cover and rest the dough for 30 minutes.
- Third, mix in the soaker.
- Fourth, cover and rest the dough for 30 minutes.
- Fifth, fold the dough.
- Sixth, cover and rest the dough for 30 minutes, and then fold one last time OR continue resting right into bulk fermentation at room temperature for about 8-12 hours (at 70F). It will be doubled in size before moving on to the next step.
- Continuing, pull the dough from the bowl and fold the dough, rest for 20 minutes, then shape and pan.
- Next, proof the dough for between 1-2 hours or until the dough rises from 3/4″- 1″ above the lip of the pan at center.
- Last, spritz the dough with water, sprinkle with oats and bake for 45-55 minutes.
Allow the dough to cool for at least an hour before slicing into it as the crust and crumb development continues as the sourdough cools. A practice in patience.
Fitting Sourdough into Your Schedule
When it comes to sourdough, fitting it into your schedule can be achieved through a little strategic planning and, if needed, using a technique I keep in my back pocket for when something comes up and I need to extend the time between mixing and proofing…
…because things come up, right?
Retarding the dough is optional, but is a tool for bread bakers. Retardation is simply the process of placing the dough in the refrigerator to slow down fermentation, so the rise takes longer. This is handy for flavor development, but also, as a time management tool.
Proofing Dough (second rise).
When to Retard the Dough
There are several times in which the dough can be retarded:
- during bulk fermentation – first rise
- during proof – second rise
During Bulk: retard during bulk to slow down the rise allowing flexibility for when the dough will be shaped, proofed and baked. The dough still needs to double in size during bulk fermentation (first rise), so after refrigeration I pull it to room temperature, and let it finish rising, until it doubles in size. I’ve not tested the limits of this, but up to about 10 hours in the refrigerator generally fits my schedule.
I like to do this when I mix in the morning. I just pop it in the fridge For the day, then pull it to room temperature before I go to bed. It’s doubled in size by morning!
During Proof: It’s possible, but I’ve not yet mastered retarding proofing dough (proof/second rise). I tend to overproof it because I’ve waited too long. This is a skill I continue to work on. Some bakers say a cold proofed dough is easier to score and produces better oven spring.
Either way longer fermentation produces more complex flavors in the bread. After all, time = flavor in the sourdough world. And I notice this too. Sometimes it’s subtle, but sometimes the sour flavor is more apparent.
When is the First Rise (bulk) Done?
Knowing when bulk is complete takes a little practice and a watchful eye. Bulk fermented dough is ready for shaping when:
- it no longer looks or feels dense
- is jiggly when the bowl is shaken
- has about doubled in size
- you may see a few large bubbles on the surface of the dough
When is the Second Rise (proof) Done?
When the dough has risen in the loaf pan to about 3/4″ – 1″ (2cm – 2.54cm) above the lip of the pan at the center. Have a ruler ready for this part! The amount of time it takes to proof will vary depending on ambient temperature. At 70F (21C) proofing takes about an hour. It can take up to twoish hours in a chilly kitchen (raises hand!).
If you’d like to speed this process along, you can put the loaf in a turned off oven with the light on. Just be sure to remove the loaf before preheating your oven for baking!
A Few Recipe Notes
- Looking for a starter? Check out how to make a sourdough starter!
- This maple oat sourdough sandwich bread calls for whole wheat bread flour which can be challenging to find. If unavailable, use regular whole wheat flour. The difference is subtle but whole wheat bread flour yields a little bit stretchier dough, and is easier to work with.
- Shaping a sandwich loaf seems more challenging than shaping a boule, but this dough is pretty forgiving. With practice, it’ll become easier.
- The whole rolled oats are a nice surprise in this dough. They soften as the dough ferments, so they’re barely noticeable yet they add a lovely, earthy flavor and whole grain nourishment.
- Freezer friendly? Yes please! Store baked bread in a freezer bag either whole or sliced for up to two weeks. Thaw at room temperature. If using for toast, toast directly from freezer to oven.
Looking for more sourdough recipes to challenge your bread baking prowess? Check out my Seeded Multigrain Sourdough Bread or try Everyday Sourdough for beginning sourdough makers.
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My Sourdough Toolkit (affiliate links):
- Loaf Pan – similar to the one I use
- Bench Scraper
- Food Thermometer
- Digital Scale
- Bowl Bonnets – so handy and durable!
RELATED: Use your starter in Sourdough Pizza and, if you have sourdough discard, give my Easy Sourdough Biscuits Recipe a go!
Maple Oat Sourdough Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
For the Soaker:
- 1 C (100g) Whole Rolled Oats plus 2 Tbs for the top
- 1/2 C (105g) Water room temperature
For the Dough:
- 3/4 C (150g) Sourdough Starter 100% hydration, previously feed and bubbly
- 1 C (230g) Milk (nut milk or whole dairy milk) I use 1/2 diluted unsweetened cashew milk - 80F (26C)
- 1/4 C (80g) Maple Syrup
- 1 Tbs (14g) Olive Oil + more for oiling the pan
- 1/2 C + 1 Tbs (100g) Whole Wheat Bread Flour (see note**) or whole wheat flour
- 2 C + 3 1/2 Tbs (300g) Bread Flour
- 1 1/2 tsp (10g) Fine Sea Salt
Instructions
For the Soaker:
- Add the oats to a small bowl and pour the water over them. The water wont fully cover the oats - that's okay. Set aside.
For the Dough:
- Mix the Dough: In the evening, whisk the starter, milk, maple syrup and oil together in a large bowl with a fork. Add the flours and salt. First, mix with a fork, the dough will be shaggy. Then mix by hand, mixing, folding and pushing the dough until the flour is fully incorporated and no dry bits are present. It will seem dry at first, but the more you work the dough, the more hydrated it will become. The dough will feel stiff and it will stick to your fingers as you go. Do this for about 3-4 minutes. Use the fork to scrape off the dough on your fingers as much as you can. Cover bowl with a damp tea towel. Set a timer for for 30 minutes and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes. Now is a good time to feed/refresh your starter.
- Incorporate the Soaker: After the dough has rested, mix in the soaker. To do this, dump the soaker on top of the dough and begin kneading and folding the dough over and on top of itself, incorporating the ingredients of the soaker. Do this for about 2-3 minutes or until the soaker is evenly distributed in the dough. It will seem like a lot of added bits, but as you work the dough and as the dough develops through fermentation, the soaker will incorporate. The dough will be stiff, wet and sticky. Cover bowl with a damp tea towel, set a timer for 30 minutes and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes.
- Fold the Dough: After the dough has rested, fold the dough. To do this, grab a portion of the dough while it remains in the bowl, stretch it up and fold it over, pressing your fingertips into the center of the dough. You'll notice the dough is a little less stiff and more workable at this point. Repeat, until you've worked your way around the dough. This is the first fold, and you can stop here and begin bulk fermentation, but If time permits, and optimally, you'll want to repeat this fold two more times as it improves the final dough's structure and crumb. Allow for about 30 between the second and third fold.
- Bulk Fermentation (first rise): After the last fold, cover the bowl with a damp towel and allow to rise overnight at room temperature (see note* on optionally retarding the dough). This will take about 8-10 hours at 70F (21C), but in a cooler kitchen the dough can take up to 12-14 hours to rise - this is the norm in my chilly kitchen 66F (18C). Use the time as a guide and not a determining factor. The dough is ready when it no longer looks dense, is jiggly when the bowl is shaken, and has about doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: In the morning, and with damp fingertips, coax the dough into a floured work-surface. With moist fingers, take a portion of the dough, gently stretch it towards you and fold it over towards the center, pressing it down gently. Repeat this process until you work the dough all the way around the dough. Using a bench scraper flip the dough over, cover with a tea towel rest the dough for 15-20 minutes. While the dough rests, throughly coat the inside of a 9x5" (23cm X 12cm) loaf pan with olive or coconut oil. Set aside.Flour the work surface and using a bench scraper flip the dough back over. Use the photos in the blog post to help guide shaping. Gently shape the dough into a rough rectangle (sort of a football/oblong shape if you can) by dimpling the dough (think focaccia), to roughly 6" wide and 8-10" long. Fold the dough lengthwise 2/3 over onto itself and crease it firmly using the pinky side of your hand. Fold the 1/3 piece left towards the crease and pinch the seam closed. Fold in the ends, coming in about an 3/4" - 1" and pinch the seam closed. Flip the bread over and rock it back and fourth a bit and gently fluff the ends in. Cover with a tea towel and allow the dough to rest for about 5-10 minutes. Scrape your work surface area of any excess flour and very lightly spritz it with water. Place the dough on the spritz of water (seam side down) and using lightly floured hands, cup the back of the dough and gently pull the it towards you until the surface is taught. Gently "fluff" the ends in again if needed to fit into the loaf pan.Once the surface is taut and with one swift move, use the bench scraper to scoop the dough up and, place the dough into the prepared loaf pan. If there's any misshapen edges that need tucking in, use a moist rubber spatula to gently finesse and shape the edges of the dough down into the pan.
- Proof the Dough (second rise): Cover the pan with a damp tea towel and allow the dough to rise until the dough rises to about 3/4" - 1" (2cm - 2.54cm) above the lip of the pan at the center of the dough. The amount of time will vary depending on ambient temperature. At 70F (21C) proofing takes about an hour. In my chilly kitchen, about two hours.Set an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat your oven to 450F (232C).
- Bake the Dough: Lightly spritz the top of your loaf with water and sprinkle 1-2 Tbs of Rolled oats over the top. Place the loaf into the oven and then, reduce the oven temperature to 400F (204C). Bake for 45-55 minutes, rotating and tenting the loaf at about 25-30 minutes so it doesn't get too dark. The bread is ready when the internal temperature of the loaf is between 190F - 205F (87C - 96C). When done, transfer to a wire rack. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack. Cool 1 hour before slicing.
- Storage Notes: Sourdough is best consumed on the same day it's baked, but it lasts for 3-4 days stored at room temperature. Store at room temperature cut side down.This bread freezes beautifully. Store baked bread in a freezer bag either whole or sliced for up to two weeks. Thaw at room temperature. This bread can go straight from freezer to toaster to make the most delicious toast!
Thanks for the recipe! Have you ever used steam for the first part of baking? I am so used to using steam for the first 15mins of baking, so just curious. I’d love to know your thoughts, though I’d assume you don’t as you didn’t put it in the recipe 😂.
Hi Amanda! Yes, I have. I haven’t done it in a while though because I busted the glass in the oven door by splattering cold water on it – I’m ruined. At the bakery, we used steam injected ovens. So, if you can do it, I say go for it! The crust is so nice either way – but crustier with steam. For this bread, I prefer a soft crust, so I don’t attempt steaming. I hope this helps!
Delicious! I will be making again and again. I did cut down on the maple syrup second time I made it and the bread still tasted wonderful.
Hi Jocelyn! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go. SO happy to hear you’re enjoying the sourdough!
This was excellent and the softest sourdough bread I have made so far
The extended time tips helped alot, with just letting it rise overnight. The flavor is just right. I will try to extend the timing on my other sourdough recipes. Thanks for the great recipe and teaching tips.
Made honey oat bread today , came out beautiful I will be it again, wonderful taste , love it.
So happy to hear Vena! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go!
This was fantastic! My favorite bread I’ve made. Thank you!
Hi, there!!
Quick question for you! I’m retarding the dough overnight in the fridge with plans to finish it up today once I get home from work. How long would you guess I’ll need to proof the dough once it comes out of the fridge? Would it be the full 8-10 hours? The hubs is working from home, so I was going to have him pull it out for me to get the rise started. I don’t know if I trust him to shape and bake it… :)
Hi Victoria! Bulk ferment until the dough doubles in size (in or out of the fridge or a combination of the two), then shape the dough. After you shape the dough and have it in the pan, proof the Dough (second rise): Cover the pan with a damp tea towel and allow the dough to rise until the dough rises to about 3/4″ – 1″ (2cm – 2.54cm) above the lip of the pan at the center of the dough. The amount of time will vary depending on ambient temperature. At 70F (21C) proofing takes about an hour. In my chilly kitchen, about two hours. LMK if you have any other questions! I hope this helps.
Hi Tracy. I baked your bread recipe today and I was wondering what was the weight of the baked bread in your case? I am pretty new to sourdough baking and still figuring out what to expect in each stage. It was pretty hot today, hence my first rise completed in around 5 hrs (doubled, jiggly, bubbles just beneath the surface), although dough was pretty sticky so had a tough time shaping. Unlike your bread, I ended up with harder crust. Not sure what I am doing wrong.
Hi Anish! Thank you for your note! I didn’t weigh this loaf, but I will next time I make it and will update the post. For bulk fermentation (first rise) try to slow that time down a bit, if anything, for flavor development. Retarding the dough in the fridge will slow the rise down a bit. The dough is sticky, and shaping takes practice. If needed, use moist hands to reduce sticking – there’s a fine balance between most hands and using flour to help us handle the dough. When mixing, you can reduce the hydration a bit maybe by 1/4 C first and add more if the dough seems to dry. As far as a harder crust, I’m not sure there. Did you add the oil?
Your bread posts give me all the feels, Traci! Such a beautiful offering. Would love a slice toasted with a smear of orange marmalade to go with my morning coffee!
Thank you Annie! Orange marmalade?! My mouth just watered!
I made this as described, though I had to retard the second rise in the fridge for an hour or two. No problem. It rose beautifully and made a very sliceable, delicious loaf. Keep the sourdough recipes coming! I have tried all except for the croutons and every one has been a success.
Hi Andrea! Thank you for your note, kind words and giving the recipe a go! SO happy to hear you’re enjoying the sourdough (and other bread recipes on the blog!). Love how you retarded the dough to make it fit your schedule!
This is the perfect sandwich bread! Slightly sweet, slightly sour, with a tender and delicate crumb. For my first go at it I swapped honey in for the maple syrup because honey oat bread is my absolute fave (though I do plan to try it as written, you know, for comparison purposes), I used oat milk because that’s what I had, and I also upped the amount of bread flour to 400g. I think its my kitchen’s microclimate but less than 3 cups of flour to that amount of starter gives me a sloppy messy dough that is impossible to shape. Increasing the flour from the start made it a little tough to stretch but very easy to do a final shape on. Overall I’m definitely pleased with this recipe. Thanks Traci!
Hi Melanie! So happy to hear you’re enjoying the sourdough! Thank you for your note and sharing your tips and subs. So glad to hear you adjusted as needed and that the final shape was easy. I love the slightly sweet, slightly sour notes too…. and the crumb!
This worked great when I tried it. Followed instructions exactly as written and it turned out great, and the oats really aren’t that apparent in the final product.
Hi Rosemary! So happy to hear you’re enjoying the sourdough! Thank you for your note. Isn’t it so nice how the oats just melt into the crumb?
Hi! I love your 10 grain seeded sourdough loaf and just gave us a try. It turned out pretty well, but did not rise quite as much as yours did. Any ideas why that might be? I know the oven spring from the Dutch oven helps the other rounds along.
Hi Alison! I’m Curious about the proof. Did you allow it to rise to about 1” above the lip of the pan measured at the center of the dough?
Hi! I wanted to check as to how can I modify bulk fermentation and proofing timings in a very hot environment. Everytime I make sourdough I feel I tend to overproof it due to the hot environment I live in. Please let me know if you have any suggestions that could help.
Hi Sonam! You can slow down fermentation by putting the dough in the fridge theN allowing it to finish fermenting at room temp. Follow the signs (in the recipe) for when the dough is done bulk fermenting. For proofing, you want the dough to rise 1” above the lip of the pan at center… same as what the recipe indicates. You can try doing this in the fridge, but you’ll need to keep an eye on it, checking to see when it’s ready for baking.
I need to try this! Could I change the ratio of unbleached flour and whole wheat? I’d like to use more whole wheat. Also, in the past I’ve added a few tablespoons of wheat gluten when I’m out of bread flour, so I think I’ll try that too.
Hi Cheryl! While I’ve not made this loaf with a higher ratio of whole wheat, you can certainly give it a go. You’d need to adjust the hydration up, by how much, I’m not sure.
I’m very envious of your bread baking skills, Traci. This is another winner – bet it makes the best sandwiches and toast! Your home must smell delicious when you’re baking this. Pinning to share.
You have become quite the expert at baking bread Traci! That’s one gorgeous loaf. We really enjoy homemade bread whenever I decide to challenge myself and make it. I need lessons from you though! Pinning this and can’t wait to give your recipe a try someday soon!
Very Nice Traci, I bake breads a lot and mine it’s always semi sourdough. I have not bake a regular sourdough yet. I will have to give a try…. Nice… Nathan
Thank you, Nathan!
Hi, I wanted to check the measurements of the loaf tin you mention – it says 9 x 5” but the cm equivalent don’t look right. 9” is about 23cm. Probably just typos but it confused me when reading the method
Now I’ve got the hang of sourdough bread I may give this a try as a loaf I can use for sandwiches is very appealing. Thanks for posting it
Hi Sue! Thanks for your catch. It’s fixed! That would be a tiny pan in cm!