Oatmeal Bread (Made in a Skillet)

This oatmeal bread is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for toast, sandwiches, or serving with a big bowl of soup. It’s got a soft crumb with just enough texture from the oats, and it smells incredible while it bakes.

I’ve been on a bread-making kick lately, and this one keeps making the rotation. The oats give it a slightly nutty flavor, and the maple syrup adds just a touch of sweetness without making it overly sweet.

It’s a little more filling than plain white bread, so one slice actually feels like it counts. Great for lunch, especially with something like jam and almond butter.

You can make this in a stand mixer, bread machine, or by hand – whatever works. I usually go for the mixer because I like things doing the work for me.

I love baking this in a cast iron skillet for even heat and that rustic look, but a regular loaf pan works just fine.

This is one of those breads I like to keep around for easy meals. Toast it up, add some butter, and you’re set.

Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!

Why you’ll love this

This bread is a solid family favorite – my youngest son, C, LOVES this for lunch along with some of my homemade strawberry jam and some almond butter. This kid has no idea how great his life is. Homemade bread and jam? Heck yes!!

Very simple ingredients – you probably have them all RIGHT NOW! (Oats, maple syrup, flour, salt, yeast, water, plus an egg for the topping)

Low on time? Try these 30 Minute Dinner Rolls. They are life changing, I swear.

How long will oatmeal bread stay fresh?

It keeps for a few days in a sealed container, but beyond that, you’ll want to freeze it (sliced) ready for toast. That’s if you don’t snarf it in the first 2 hours.

What to serve with Oat Bread

This bread is super hearty, so will go brilliantly dunked in a comfort food favorite, like Pot Roast, Beef & Guinness Stew or a yummy soup like this Italian Meatball Soup.

Step-by-step photos and tips and tricks are below. Jump to the full recipe card instead

How to make Oatmeal Bread

Prep the oats. In a blender or food processor, add the oats, and pulse a few seconds. We want coarse crumbs, but not powder, so don’t overdo!

Add the hot water to the rolled oats, and mix. Let them stand until they cool to lukewarm.

Make the dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the yeast and warm water – let sit for a few minutes, then add the maple syrup, oil and salt.

Add the warm oats and the flour, then mix to a soft dough (adding more flour if necessary).

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic – about 10 minutes. Form dough into a ball.

Grease a bowl, and add the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

Rise

Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Punch down, then shape into a smooth round loaf.

Place loaf in a cast iron skillet, cover with a clean towel – and leave somewhere warm until the loaf doubles in size, about 40 minutes.

Bake. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush loaf with beaten egg, and sprinkle with the oats. Bake for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing. Devour.

More recipes to love

• Red Lobster Biscuits. Soft, fluffy biscuits packed with cheddar cheese, and brushed with flavorful garlic butter after baking, these cheddar biscuits are dreamy!
• Homemade Bagels (just 4 ingredients). Fresh, warm and chewy, topped with whatever you fancy – these homemade bagels are easy to make and absolutely delicious!
• Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls. Quick and easy to make, these deliciously soft Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls make the perfect amount for your family! They make a hearty side to any dinner. Yum!
• Soft Buttermilk Sandwich Bread. Beautifully soft homemade sandwich bread, with a touch of extra flavor from the buttermilk. This bread is fantastic for sandwiches, toasting, or right out of the oven. With an added ingredient to make it stay fresh longer!
• Fluffy Golden Skillet Cornbread – a cinch to make, and is a fantastic side for any meal! 

4.66 from 23 votes

Oatmeal Bread

Author Kylee Ayotte

Servings 12 servings

Prep Time: 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

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A gorgeous loaf, with a delicious crumb! This Oatmeal Bread is hearty, delicious and perfect for toasting, or eating with soup or stew.

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Equipment

• Stand Mixer
• Cast iron skillet
• Large Bowl

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup oats old fashioned or quick cook, but not steel cut
• ▢ 1 cup hot water
• ▢ 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
• ▢ 1/3 cup warm water
• ▢ 1/2 cup pure maple syrup not pancake syrup
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons salt
• ▢ 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour all purpose or bread flour are equally good here

TOPPING:

• ▢ 1 lightly beaten egg
• ▢ ¼ cup oats

Instructions

• In a blender or food processor, add 1 cup oats, and pulse a few seconds. We want coarse crumbs, but not powder, so don’t overdo!
• Add 1 cup hot water to the oats, and mix. Let them stand until they cool to lukewarm.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast and 1/3 cup warm water – let sit for a few minutes, then add the 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 2 teaspoons vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons salt.
• Add the warm oats and the 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, then mix to a soft dough (adding more flour if necessary).
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable – about 10 minutes
• Form dough into a ball.
• Grease a bowl, and add the dough to the bowl and cover.
• Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
• Punch down, then shape into a smooth round loaf.
• Place loaf in a cast iron skillet, cover with a clean towel – and leave somewhere warm until the loaf doubles in size, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Brush loaf with beaten 1 lightly beaten egg, and sprinkle with ¼ cup oats.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool before slicing.
• Devour.

Notes

Bread Machine Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, add the oats, and pulse a few seconds. We want coarse crumbs, but not powder, so don’t overdo!
2. Add the hot water to the oats, and mix. Let them stand until they cool to lukewarm.
3. Add the yeast, water, maple syrup, oil and salt to the pan of the bread machine.
4. Add the warm oats and the flour, then start the machine on the dough cycle.
5. When complete, remove dough from pan and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
6. Form dough into a smooth round loaf.
7. Place dough in a cast iron skillet, cover with a clean towel – and leave somewhere warm until the loaf doubles in size, about 45 mins (depends on warmth of your kitchen!)
8. Preheat the oven to 350.
9. Brush loaf with beaten egg, and sprinkle with the oats.
10. Bake for 30 minutes.
11. Remove from oven and let cool before slicing.

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Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 65mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Did you make this recipe?

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Update: This recipe was originally published in September of 2017. It was republished with updated photos in 2022.

About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee