Slow Cooker Bread

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Homemade Slow Cooker Bread is always much more delicious than store-bought, and this recipe couldn’t be easier. This simple white bread is easy to make and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Homemade Slow Cooker Bread sliced on a white towel next to a knife.

Once you make your first loaf of bread in the slow cooker you will want to make it every week. This bread recipe can be used as a base for so many different variations!

When you want homemade bread without much hassle, get out your trusted slow cooker! Enjoy slow cooker bread as an appetizer or side to any dish. It’s especially great with soup.

Out of all the bread I’ve made, this slow cooker version just might be my favorite.

Loaf of rustic homemade slow cooker bread on a white towel.

I mean, who would have thought a loaf this gorgeous could be produced in a small appliance designed to slowly cook meats, vegetables, and soups. I just can’t get over how lovely it is.

I’ve dabbled in the slow cooker method before. I made slow cooker orange sweet rolls and slow cooker monkey bread. Each was tasty but nothing like today’s bread.

Slow cooker bread dough in a glass bowl.

I’ve also made so many other variations of bread, from rosemary olive beer bread to the best ever banana bread, the list goes on and on. But, I am loving how slow cooker bread turns out.

It has the texture of a steam bun – so soft and moist.

This bread is possibly the easiest of yeast bread. The dough is prepped the night before simply by mixing all the ingredients together. Then, it sits on the countertop with plastic wrap over the top.

Homemade bread dough in a slow cooker lined with parchment paper.

When you wake up the dough will have developed gluten and doubled, almost tripled, in size. And it will smell of wonderful yeast dough. I love that smell!

When you are ready to bake the bread, just turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over on itself a couple times. Shape it into a ball and place it in the slow cooker.

It takes around two hours to bake. The effort is minimal and the reward is great!

Homemade Slow Cooker Bread in a slow cooker lined with white parchment paper.

There’s no kneading and no waiting for the dough to rise before baking. It will plump up in the slow cooker and turn into a beautiful rustic bread.

Bread in the slow cooker will not brown. The crust will remain light in color. Because of this, I like to pop it under the broiler for about 5 minutes once it’s finished baking. This will give the crust a lovely golden color.

This is why I love baking! ⇓⇓

Close up view of half a loaf of slow cooker bread.

*Always double check your slow cooker’s manufacturer instructions before attempting this recipe. Some models require the pot to be partially filled with liquid to avoid safety or durability problems. Also, never leave the slow cooker unattended.

Homemade Slow Cooker Bread sliced on a white towel next to a knife.
4.49 from 512 votes

Slow Cooker Bread

Homemade Slow Cooker Bread is always much more delicious than store-bought, and this recipe couldn’t be easier. This simple white bread is easy to make and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand. 
Prep Time :15 minutes
Cook Time :2 hours
Additional Time :8 hours
Total Time :10 hours 15 minutes
Servings :10
Author :Jen Sobjack

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups (455 g) bread flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 1 envelope
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) warm water, 105-115°F

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Stir with a whisk. Slowly pour in the water. Stir with a wooden spoon until well blended and the dough forms into a ball. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it set on the counter overnight, 8-18 hours.
  • Line the bowl of the 6-quart slow cooker with parchment paper.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. With well-floured hands, flatten the dough into a 9-inch circle, then fold it over onto itself and shape it into a ball. Place the dough into the prepared slow cooker. Place a double layer of paper towel under the lid to prevent condensation from dripping onto the rolls. Turn the slow cooker on high and cook for 2 hours or until the bread is cooked through. The temperature should register 190°F on an instant-read thermometer.
  • Remove the bread by lifting them out with the parchment paper. 
  • The fully cooked bread will have a light, soft crust. If you desire a golden crispy crust, place the bread under the broiler for 5 minutes. Set the bread on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Video

Notes

  • Always double check your slow cooker’s manufacturer instructions before attempting this recipe. Some models require the pot to be partially filled with liquid to avoid safety or durability problems. Also, never leave the slow cooker unattended.
  • All-purpose flour can be used in place of bread flour. But keep in mind there will be a slight texture difference. Bread flour contains more protein. This absorbs more moisture and creates a chewy texture that is well known in bread. All-purpose flour has less protein and will not absorb as much of the water. This will affect the overall texture.
  • Active dry yeast can be used in place of instant yeast. You must activate it in the warm water with a pinch of sugar first. Let it sit for 5 minutes. If it doesn’t foam up, you will need to try again with new yeast.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 167kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 353mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.5mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Course :Appetizer
Cuisine :American
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Recipe Rating




267 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love how easy this recipe is. Having fresh crusty bread with just a little planning. My home smells so good when it is baking.

    Have you ever added anything to it like garlic or shredded cheese?

  2. Janet Hunter says:

    5 stars
    I made this today..lovely..I liked the fact no waiting for it to prove. I used an oval slow cooker, but put the bread into a loaf shape tinfoil.

  3. Janet Hunter says:

    5 stars
    I made this today..lovely..I liked the fact no waiting for it to prove. I used an oval slow cooker, but put the bread into a loaf shape tinfoil.

  4. Do you think that it would be possible to leave this for 8 hours or so if it was on low? Hoping to plug it in before work and have fresh bread when I get back! 🙂

    1. Jen Sobjack says:

      Unfortunately, the low setting isn’t hot enough to bake the bread all the way through even if it’s left for 8 hours. And I never suggest leaving a slow cooker unattended.

  5. Chris Hansley says:

    This looks and sounds wonderful. What size slow cooker would be best for this recipe? I have a round 4 quart and an oval 6 quart. My best guess would be the 4 quart. This will be my first baking experience in a slow cooker so I don’t want to waste the ingredients. Thanks for the help and all the great recipes I see on the internet.

    1. Jen Sobjack says:

      Either will work. I used an oval 6-quart slow cooker as pictured in the post. This allowed the loaf to spread and it didn’t bake up as tall. If you use a round 4-quart slow cooker, the loaf will be tall instead of wide.

  6. 4 stars
    What are your thoughts on using a GF flour with this recipe?

    1. Jen Sobjack says:

      I have no experience working with gluten free flour but I imagine as long as the package says it’s an equal substitute for all-purpose, it should be fine.

  7. 4 stars
    What are your thoughts on using a GF flour with this recipe?

  8. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks!

  9. Manali@CookWithManali says:

    this sounds easy, I need to try this asap!

  10. Del's cooking twist says:

    I just hold a bread class yesterday, so I am all into breads right now. Your version looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to give it a try too! 🙂