No-Knead English Muffin Bread

English Muffin Bread is one of the easiest yeast breads you can bake at home! Perfect tender crumb and sturdy crust, this bread is ready for sandwiches!

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home, and with this recipe, achieving that comforting experience is simpler than you might imagine. This homemade English Muffin Bread offers the best of both worlds: the iconic nooks and crannies of traditional English muffins, but in a convenient, sliceable loaf format. It’s incredibly easy to make, much like our popular One-Hour Skillet Focaccia and our No-Knead Bread, making it a perfect starting point for beginner bakers or a quick go-to for seasoned pros.

English Muffin Bread on kitchen towel, with one slice cut.

Contents

Experience the Magic of Homemade English Muffin Bread

If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, you already know my deep affection for freshly baked homemade bread. My family can attest: there’s almost always a loaf cooling on the counter, ready to be sliced and savored. This English Muffin Bread holds a special place in our kitchen, not just for its incredibly tender crumb and wonderfully sturdy crust, but for its sheer versatility and the ease with which it comes together.

Imagine a bread that effortlessly holds up to your favorite sandwich fillings, yet transforms into a sublime, crispy-edged delight when toasted. That’s exactly what you get with this English Muffin Bread. Its distinctive texture, riddled with those beloved nooks and crannies, is ideal for soaking up butter, jams, or whatever delicious topping you desire. Whether you prefer a round Dutch oven for a rustic boule or a rectangular bread pan for classic slices, this recipe adapts beautifully.

Why This English Muffin Bread Recipe Stands Out

Effortless Preparation: Forget complicated kneading schedules. This recipe requires minimal hands-on time, making it accessible even for those new to yeast baking.
Iconic Texture: Achieve the signature interior and wonderfully crisp exterior that defines classic English muffins, but in a convenient loaf form.
Versatile & Delicious: Perfect for morning toast, hearty sandwiches, or even as a base for open-faced melts. Its subtle flavor complements both sweet and savory toppings.
Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely have most, if not all, of the necessary ingredients in your kitchen right now.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Loaf

Crafting this delightful English Muffin Bread begins with a few simple, everyday ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in how these basic components come together to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a brief explanation of each ingredient’s role:

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our bread. All-purpose flour provides the right balance of protein to develop structure without making the bread overly dense.
Granulated Sugar: Essential for activating the yeast and contributing to the bread’s golden-brown crust and subtle sweetness. Don’t skip it!
Salt: Crucial for enhancing flavor, controlling yeast activity, and strengthening the gluten structure of the dough.
Baking Soda: While yeast is the primary leavening agent, a touch of baking soda contributes to the characteristic tender crumb and helps create those coveted “nooks and crannies.”
Active Dry Yeast: The powerhouse behind the rise! Active dry yeast needs to be activated with warm liquid and a touch of sugar to work its magic.
Milk: Adds richness and softness to the dough, contributing to a more tender crumb and a beautiful crust color.
Water: Works with the milk to provide necessary hydration for the dough, allowing the flour to absorb liquid and develop gluten.
Vegetable or Canola Oil: Adds moisture, helps keep the bread soft, and contributes to a finer crumb structure. Olive oil can also be used for a slightly different flavor profile.
Cornmeal: Used for dusting the pan. It prevents sticking and gives the exterior of the bread a traditional English muffin texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake English Muffin Bread at Home

Follow these detailed steps to create your very own batch of irresistible homemade English Muffin Bread. The process is straightforward, ensuring a delicious result every time.

1. Prepare Your Baking Pan

Generously grease an 8″x4″ loaf pan or a 2-quart baking dish (a French oven works wonderfully for a round loaf) with butter or cooking spray. Then, dust the greased surface thoroughly with cornmeal, ensuring an even coating. This cornmeal layer is key to achieving that classic English muffin texture on the crust and prevents the bread from sticking. Set the prepared pan aside.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, ideally from a stand mixer, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking soda, and active dry yeast. Ensure they are well combined to distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the dough.

3. Warm the Wet Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, water, and oil. Gently heat this mixture until it reaches approximately 130 degrees F (about 54 degrees C). It should feel very warm to the touch, but not scalding hot. The ideal temperature is crucial for activating the yeast without killing it. A kitchen thermometer is your best friend here.

4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

With your stand mixer running on low speed (using the paddle attachment), slowly and gradually drizzle the warm wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Continue mixing until a shaggy dough forms and all the dry ingredients are moistened.

5. Knead the Dough (Briefly!)

Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and knead the dough for about one minute. You’ll notice the dough starting to come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl. This brief kneading is all that’s needed for this particular bread, contributing to its distinct texture.

6. First Rise: The Magic of Proofing

Scoop the prepared dough into your cornmeal-dusted pan. The dough will be quite soft and sticky, so a rubber spatula or wet hands can be helpful. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place the pan in a warm, draft-free place to rise. A good trick is to warm a cup of water in the microwave, then remove the water and place the covered dough inside the microwave (with the door closed) – this creates an ideal proofing environment. Let it rise until the dough has visibly doubled in size, which typically takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on the warmth of your environment.

English Muffin Bread dough rising in Dutch oven.

7. Bake to Golden Perfection

Once the dough has doubled in size, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake the bread uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. For me, 22 minutes is often the sweet spot. The internal temperature should register around 200-210°F (93-99°C) for a perfectly baked loaf.

8. Cool Completely for Best Texture

After baking, let the bread rest in the pan for about 5 minutes. This allows it to firm up slightly. Then, carefully turn it out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling thoroughly is essential; slicing too early can result in a gummy texture. Patience is a virtue when it comes to bread!

Baked English Muffin Bread in the cast iron pot.

Expert Tips for English Muffin Bread Success

Even though this is an easy recipe, a few insider tips can elevate your English Muffin Bread from great to absolutely extraordinary. Pay attention to these details for a consistently perfect loaf:

The Importance of Sugar: Many yeast dough recipes skip sugar, but for active dry yeast, sugar is a must! It acts as food for the yeast, ensuring robust activation and a strong rise. Without it, your yeast might be sluggish, leading to a dense loaf.
Choosing the Right Oil: I always include oil in my yeast doughs, especially for breads and pizza dough. It adds moisture, creates a tender crumb, and contributes to a lovely texture. While extra virgin olive oil offers superior flavor, regular olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil all work wonderfully.
Creating the Perfect Rising Environment: A warm, draft-free spot is crucial for yeast dough to rise properly. My go-to method: heat a cup of water in the microwave until steamy, remove the water, then place your covered dough (in its bowl or pan) inside the microwave and close the door. This creates a cozy, humid environment perfect for proofing, ensuring your dough doubles in size beautifully.
Accurate Flour Measurement: For best results, measure your flour by weight using a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can compact the flour and lead to too much being added.
Don’t Rush the Cooling: While tempting, slicing into warm bread can make it gummy. Allow your English Muffin Bread to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. This allows the internal structure to set and results in the best texture.
Adjust Baking Time: Ovens vary! Keep an eye on your bread during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. The top should be deeply golden brown. If it’s browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.

Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade English Muffin Bread

Once your English Muffin Bread is cooled and ready, the possibilities are endless! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this versatile loaf:

Classic Toast: Slice, toast, and slather with butter and your favorite jam or marmalade. The nooks and crannies are perfect for capturing melted goodness.
Breakfast Sandwich King: It’s the ideal base for an epic breakfast sandwich. Pile on scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, cheese, or even a fried egg with avocado.
Peanut Butter & Jelly: Upgrade your classic PB&J with the unique texture of English Muffin Bread.
Open-Faced Melts: Toast a slice, top with ham and cheese, then broil until bubbly for a quick and satisfying lunch.
Sweet Treat: Toast and spread with cream cheese and cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with honey.
Savory Sides: Serve alongside a hearty soup or chili to mop up every last drop.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

To keep your English Muffin Bread fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key:

Countertop: Once completely cooled, store the loaf in an airtight container or a plastic bread bag at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, this bread freezes beautifully. Slice the cooled loaf, then place the slices in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. You can also freeze the whole loaf. It will keep well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw slices as needed by toasting directly from frozen or letting them sit at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of flour should I use for English Muffin Bread?

All-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe. It provides enough gluten for structure while keeping the crumb tender.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can! If using instant yeast, you don’t necessarily need to proof it in warm liquid first. You can just add it directly to the dry ingredients. However, the liquid temperature still needs to be warm enough (around 120-130°F or 49-54°C) to activate the yeast effectively.

Why are my “nooks and crannies” not forming?

The distinctive open texture comes from a combination of factors: the specific dough hydration, the brief kneading, and the baking soda working with the yeast. Ensure your dough is sticky enough (not too much added flour) and that your yeast is active and the rising environment is warm enough.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

While some bakers have success with gluten-free flours in other bread recipes, this specific recipe relies on the gluten structure of all-purpose flour for its unique texture. It has not been tested with gluten-free alternatives, so results may vary significantly.

How long does homemade English Muffin Bread last?

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, it typically stays fresh for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.

Discover More Easy Homemade Bread Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of this English Muffin Bread, you’ll surely enjoy exploring our other easy bread recipes:

One-Hour Skillet Focaccia: A quick and flavorful focaccia that’s perfect for any meal.
Our No-Fail The Best Pizza Dough Recipe: Your go-to recipe for perfect homemade pizza nights.
Homemade Pepperoni Pizza: Use our amazing dough to create this family favorite.
Brioche Buns: Soft, rich, and perfect for burgers or sandwiches.
No Yeast Bread: An incredibly quick bread for when you’re short on time or yeast.

Rate This Recipe & Share Your Creations!

If you love this recipe and decide to make it, please snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Don’t forget to tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can admire your beautiful creation and leave a comment! We love seeing your baking adventures.

English Muffin Bread Recipe

Author: Anna

One of the easiest yeast breads you can bake at home! Perfect tender crumb and sturdy crust, this bread is ready for sandwiches!

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 50 mins
Cook Time: 23 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 13 mins
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 305 kcal

Ingredients

3 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1.5 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 cup milk
¼ cup water
2 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
cornmeal for sprinkling

Instructions

Grease and dust with cornmeal an 8″x4″ loaf pan or 2qt baking dish (I used French oven). Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, yeast, soda).
In a medium saucepan, combine milk, water and oil. Heat up to 130 degrees F (54 C). It should be really warm but not too hot to the touch.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly drizzle the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Knead the dough for about a minute, or until it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Scoop the dough out into the prepared pan. Cover and place in a warm and draft-free place. (See notes for expert tip on rising dough.)
When dough has doubled in size, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C).
Bake the bread uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes (the magic number for me was 22 minutes), until the top is golden brown.
Let sit in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

Many yeast dough recipes sometimes omit sugar, but it is crucial for activating the yeast and ensuring a good rise. Always use sugar for your yeast! Also, incorporating oil into yeast doughs, especially for breads and pizza dough, adds richness and contributes to a softer, more tender texture.

Nutrition

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This recipe was originally published on April 1st, 2014 and updated on August 26th, 2019.