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Home » Recipes » Bread and Buns

Easy Whole Wheat Bread or Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Modified: Nov 24, 2020 · Published May 8, 2020 · by Jacqueline Piper · 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. Read our privacy policy.

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Whole Wheat Bread + Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls | A 50% whole wheat bread recipe for a soft and flavorful sandwich loaf. I use half white flour and half whole wheat flour in this bread recipe to keep this loaf from getting too dense and also to keep the flavor from being too overwhelming for some in my house. The result is a soft and fluffy delicious loaf of bread. I also give you an option for making whole wheat dinner rolls with this easy dough.

Whole Wheat Bread

This homemade whole wheat bread recipe is based on my soft and fluffy white bread recipe.

At the beginning of last month, I wasn't able to find any white flour in stores for recipe development and home baking. I could only find whole wheat flour.

My kids aren't huge fans of 100% whole wheat bread or buns, but we all really like this recipe with half whole wheat flour and half white flour. You get the slightly nutty flavor of whole wheat but the white flour just kind of helps it from being too dense and having an overwhelming flavor.

You'll get a soft and fluffy sandwich loaf or dinner rolls - whichever you choose - with this dough. I like to double it and make both!

Whole Wheat Bread

The simple ingredients for whole wheat bread dough:

  • white flour - as I've said, this helps me keep this loaf from getting too dense and my kids just aren't huge fans of the taste of 100% whole wheat bread
  • whole wheat flour - I use whole wheat flour (not white whole wheat flour)
  • instant yeast - no need to proof the yeast when using instant, just toss it in with the flour
  • oil - helps to achieve a soft dough
  • brown sugar - I like to add some brown sugar or honey in my whole wheat loaves, sometimes whole wheat can taste bitter to me without this
  • salt - you need salt to give bread flavor
Whole Wheat Bread

How to Make Whole Wheat Bread or Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

To make the dough, mix together the warm water, brown sugar, and the oil. I use canola oil or corn oil, whatever I oil I have on hand that has a mild flavor.

Next add the salt, yeast, and most of the flour. I usually add about 75% of the flour needed for a recipe, mix it together, and then add more flour if needed. So for this recipe, I would add about 200 grams of each flour, mix everything together, and then sprinkle in more as needed.

Note: I usually need all 500 grams plus a little bit to need it together - maybe a tablespoon or two. I live between 500 and 1,000 feet above sea level, in Manitoba, Canada. If you're in a higher elevation check the FAQ's on my Brioche Buns post for some tips for baking bread.

Lightly dust your countertop and knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Just push it and pull it and turn it and fold until it gets a bit smoother. Add a little flour here and there if the dough is too sticky and starts to stick to the counter.

Whole Wheat Dough before and after kneading

Above is what mine can looks like before and after kneading it.

Now oil the dough ball and place it back in the mixing bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and a towel and set it in a warm place to rise. I usually turn the oven light on (but not the heat!) and let it rise in there. The light alone helps create just a bit of warmth. Leave it for an hour or until it's doubled in size.

How to shape a loaf of bread

Once it's finished rising, knock the air out and place the dough on the counter. Stretch it out into a rough rectangle. Roll the dough up, tightly. Pinch the edge into the dough to seal and tuck the ends underneath. Read my Soft + Fluffy White Bread blog post to see step by step photos of this process.

Whole Wheat Bread Process Shots

Place the dough seam side down in a bread pan. Cover again and let rise about 45 minutes to an hour, or until it rises past the edges of your bread pan. (See above photos)

Heat the oven to 400°F. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes. Brush the top of the loaf with butter for a soft crust.

How to Make Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Or... you can make dinner rolls! Mix the dough the same way and let it rise. To shape, divide the dough into 9 pieces. Roll each one into a ball. Place in a pan and let rise until doubled in size. Bake at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes. Brush hot rolls with butter for a soft crust.

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Process Shots
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Can I use all whole wheat flour?

Yes you can! You might just need less of it.

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

More Bread Recipes:

  • Soft + Fluffy White Bread - the perfect sandwich bread - also makes great buns!
  • Brioche Buns - The most popular recipe on my website! Fluffy burgers buns in no time.
  • Sweet Potato Pita Bread - Great use for mashed sweet potatoes in this easy flatbread recipe.
  • Easy Focaccia Bread - Delicious Italian dinner bread flavored with olive oil and your choice of herbs.
  • Buttermilk Biscuits - Simple, only a handful of ingredients, the perfect breakfast or Sunday evening snack - including a honey, lemon + thyme compound butter.

Recipe

Whole Wheat Bread
5 from 7 votes

Easy Whole Wheat Bread Recipe + Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Author : Jacqueline Piper
Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Rising: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 33 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 slices
A 50% whole wheat bread recipe for a soft and flavorful sandwich loaf. Use half white flour and half whole wheat flour to keep this loaf from getting too dense and also to keep the flavor from being too overwhelming for some in my house. The result is a soft and fluffy delicious loaf of bread or dinner rolls - your choice.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 ¼ cups warm water 120°F – 130°F
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 250 grams all-purpose flour about 2 cups
  • 250 grams whole wheat flour about 2 cups

Instructions

  • Mix together the warm water, brown sugar, and oil. Add the salt, yeast, and most of the flour, holding some back to add in if you need it. I usually need all of mine, but flour brands and baking environments are all different so use the amount of flour you need to form a tacky dough.
  • Knead the dough on a countertop for about 5 minutes – pushing and pulling and turning the dough until it smooths out. Oil the dough and place in a bowl, top with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise in a warm place, for about an hour or until doubled in size.
  • Punch down the dough and flatten it out in a rectangle. Roll the dough tightly, pinching the end into the roll. (See my white bread recipe, linked in the notes, for a step by step photos of this process.)
  • Place the formed dough into a bread pan. (To make rolls, divide into 9 and roll into balls. Place them in a 9 x9 pan.) Cover with plastic and a towel and let rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it rises above the side of the pan.
  • Heat oven to 400°F. Bake loaf for about 25 minutes. Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes.
  • Brush the hot loaf with butter for a soft crust.

Notes

1. Double the recipe for two loaves or one loaf plus 9 rolls.
2. Read the step by step shaping method with photos on this Basic White Bread Recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.

Have you tried this recipe?Tag @pipercooksblog on Instagram so we can see it!
Whole Wheat Bread Pin
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls or Loaf Pin Image Collage
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Pin Image
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Pin Image
Whole Wheat Bread Pin
Whole Wheat Bread Pin
Whole Wheat Bread Pin

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402 shares

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    5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Melody says

    December 13, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    I've really been loving this recipe! I've made it 4 or 5 times in the past two weeks and it's a hit with my *very picky* kids. I've found the 30 grams less flour seems to work fine, as long as you don't mind a tackier dough.

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Piper says

      December 13, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      Hi, Melody, I'm so happy you like this recipe - and it's so nice when we find something for our kids that's a winner! Thanks for sharing what worked for you as far as flour weight 🙂

      Jacqueline

      Reply
  2. Sandra Morrison says

    February 08, 2024 at 7:13 pm

    Thanks so much!! This is exactly what I have been searching for. It is the absolute ideal “everyday” bread recipe and is now my bread of choice. It’s super flavourful, not too sweet like a lot of bread recipes I have tried. It has a great soft texture. I have also made it with 2/3 whole wheat to 1/3 white and it is excellent!

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Piper says

      February 09, 2024 at 2:03 pm

      Sandra, so glad you love this recipe. Thanks for commenting and also giving your ingredient tips!

      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Sandra Morrison says

        February 16, 2024 at 4:33 pm

        Hello again! I can’t get enough of this bread - I am not usually a big bread-eater, but i bake it for my mom all the time, and I actually really like this one. This time, I substituted the flour, as follows: for a double batch I did 4 cups of whole wheat flour, 2 cups of white all-purpose flour, and 2 cups of organic large flake oats (ground a bit in the food processor first). I was shocked to find it was still super light - not dense like most “healthy” breads. Thanks again Jacqueline - I am so grateful to have found your awesome recipe. I have been sharing it with family and friends - everyone loves it!

        Reply
        • Jacqueline Piper says

          February 17, 2024 at 9:32 am

          Hi Sandra, I'm glad you're back! I really am so happy that you enjoy this recipe and are having fun testing out different ingredients. Love the idea of using ground oats, this gives me an idea for oat bread. Thank you for commenting again and I hope you continue to have fun baking!

          Jacqueline

          Reply
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