Whole-Wheat Quinoa Bread

Updated April 11, 2023

Whole-Wheat Quinoa Bread
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
2 hours
Rating
5(417)
Comments
Read comments

This moist, hearty bread slices beautifully for sandwiches or toast. The dough is sticky because of the moisture from the cooked quinoa, but resist the urge to add too much flour.

Featured in: King Among Grains

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Ingredients

Yield:Two loaves, about 16 slices in each loaf

    For the Sponge

    • teaspoons active dry yeast
    • 3cups lukewarm water
    • 1tablespoon agave syrup
    • 1tablespoon blackstrap molasses
    • 2cups all-purpose or white bread flour
    • 2cups whole-wheat flour

    For the Bread

    • ¼cup canola oil
    • 1scant tablespoon salt
    • 2cups cooked quinoa
    • 3 to 4cups whole-wheat flour, as needed
    • 1egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons water for egg wash
    • 1tablespoon sesame seeds
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (14 servings)

315 calories; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 56 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 360 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. For the Sponge

    1. Step 1

      In a large bowl, combine the yeast and water and stir until dissolved. Stir in the agave syrup and molasses. Whisk in the flours, 1 cup at a time. Stir or whisk this mixture 100 times, for about two minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, cover the bowl with plastic and leave to rise in a warm spot for one hour, until bubbly.

    2. Step 2

      Add the oil to the sponge and fold in, using a large spoon or spatula. Add the salt and fold in. Fold in the quinoa, then fold in 2 cups of the whole-wheat flour. Place another ½ cup whole-wheat flour on your work surface, then scrape out the dough. Use a paddle to help fold the dough over while kneading until it has absorbed the flour on your work surface. Flour your hands, and knead the dough for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary, until it is elastic and springs back when you press it with your finger. It will be dense and sticky. Shape the dough into a ball. Rinse and dry your bowl, and coat it with oil. Place the dough in it, then flip the dough over so that it is coated with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and set in a warm spot to rise for one hour or until doubled.

    3. Step 3

      Punch down the dough, cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise again for 45 minutes to an hour.

    4. Step 4

      Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Divide the dough into two parts, and shape into loaves. Place half of the sesame seeds on your work surface, and gently roll the rounded side of one loaf over them so that they stick. Repeat with the remaining sesame seeds and the other loaf. Oil two 9-by-5-inch bread pans, and place the loaves in the pans, first seam side up, then seam side down. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until the surface of the loaves rises above the edges of the bread pans.

    5. Step 5

      Gently brush the loaves with egg wash. Using a sharp knife, cut two or three ½-inch-deep slashes across the top of each loaf. (If this causes the loaves to deflate, let them sit for another 15 to 20 minutes.) Bake 50 to 55 minutes, brushing again halfway through with egg wash. The bread is done when it is golden brown and responds to tapping with a hollow sound. Remove from the pans and cool on a rack.

Tip
  • Advance preparation: These loaves freeze well for several weeks if wrapped airtight. The bread will keep for about five days, but refrigerate after three days.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
417 user ratings
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Comments

This bread is SO moist and delicious! I covered mine with a generous mixture of pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and poppy seeds, dehydrated roasted garlic and sea salt. WOW! I also only used about 2 cups of extra whole wheat flour when kneading. I baked one loaf free form and another in a bread tin, both turned out just fine. Don't be fooled though, this recipe takes at least 3.5 hours not including baking time!

I’ve been making the bread regularly for many months now, and it is reliably wonderful. I often throw in a couple of cups of other grains, like cornmeal, oats, wheat bran or wheat germ, in place of some of the flour and that adds flavor and texture. This recipe makes two large loaves for me, or if I bake in coffee cans, two larger ones and one smaller one. For efficiency, I cook a lot of quinoa, cool it, and put it in 2-cup containers in the freezer. That eliminates one whole step.

Quite delicious--made 2 large loaves, 1 medium.

Brushed with water (not egg), pressed sesame seeds lightly into top before baking rather than rolling in. Honey instead of agave.

Pretty good, but not sure if it is 5 hours worthy. Nutty, dense and moist, maybe could use a bit more salt.

Made one loaf (1/2 recipe) with bread machine. No agave syrup or molasses so used honey, olive oil instead of canola, skipped sesame seeds and egg wash. Sponge ingredients into bread pan, mixed 10 mins. Removed pan to warm area to rise. Sponge very active after 1 hour, added remaining ingredients, returned pan to machine, ran entire dough program. Dough not sticky, could shape with minimal additional flour. 2nd rise only took 20 mins. 45 mins @ 350°F to reach 200°F internal temp. Very tasty!

For the 1/2 recipe, I converted the flour amounts to grams, with 1 cup = 120 grams white/bread flour and 1 cup = 130 grams whole wheat flour, and added the full amount of whole wheat flour (2 cups=260 grams) to the sponge because I didn't notice that a range had been suggested, which is probably why I could shape the dough quickly with a minimum of extra flour. I also misted top of dough with water before baking. The bread is very good and I will definitely make it again!

Very delicious - honey i/o agave because that's what I had.

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