Can I Use Active Dry Yeast in Place of Bread Machine Yeast?

Bread machine yeasts types are great for preparing bread with the help of a special machine, as this type of yeast does not require warm water soaking prior to using them.

However, there are times when you would like to make a loaf of bread in your machine, but realize that you ran out of bread machine yeast.

The only yeast you may have lying around is an active dry yeast. Active dry yeast is easy to store, in comparison with fresh yeast, so it is a good type of yeast to have around in the kitchen at all times. But, an active dry yeast replaces bread machine yeast? If so, will this change affect the loaf of bread in any way?

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What is active dry yeast?

Active dry yeast is actually live yeast, prepared in the form of dry granules that are easier to store for longer periods. The “active dry” mention reflects the fact that the yeast does indeed contain live organisms and it is preserved in a dormant state until it’s activated and used as intended.

While bread machine yeast is also dry, active dry yeast has larger granules and cannot be mixed that easily with the rest of the ingredients of bread dough.

Bread machine yeast, on the other hand, comes in smaller granules, which can be mixed with the other ingredients in the bread-making machine, without any previous preparation.

In other words, active dry yeast will have to be soaked in lukewarm water before being added to the rest of the ingredients. So, if you want to use this type of yeast in your bread machine, make sure to respect this step before using it.

This way you ensure an even rise of the bread and a great result in the end.

How to use active dry yeast?

Active dry yeast comes in small packages and you will find it mentioned on the package the amount of flour for which they are dosed.

So, if you are using the amount of flour mentioned in the package of the yeast, you will be able to use the content on an entire package for your bread dough.

You will also find all the needed instructions on the package of the product, concerning whether you need to soak it or not before adding it to your recipe.

In general, active dry yeast will require soaking in warm water for a couple of minutes, in order to activate the yeast and get a proper rise of the dough.

In comparison with bread machine yeast, active dry yeast may generate a slower rise rate. You should have this in mind when setting the program on your bread machine.

In order to obtain similar results, you should allow the dough to rise for a longer period than you normally would allow it.

Yeast made to be used in the bread machine will promote a faster rise, so the fact that you are changing the yeast you’re using should make you do some slight changes to the bread-making program.

You can use any kind of yeast in the bread machine, as long as you use the yeast correctly

As mentioned earlier, some types of yeasts will require activation, while others can be used as they are, in their powdered form. It is possible to make bread in the bread machine with any kind of yeast, as long as you use the yeast correctly.

This means soaking the yeast in warm water and even adding a bit of sugar if this is recommended on the product’s package. Such a process will activate the yeast and will help you obtain a fluffy and tasty loaf of bread or bread rolls.

So, when you are preparing the ingredients for your bread machine, take care of the yeast part first. If you’re not using bread machine yeast, check the instructions for the yeast you have in your kitchen.

Active dry yeast will work just fine, as long as you activate it. To do this just place the yeast in the recommended amount of water and let it sit for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, place the rest of the ingredients in the bread machine. Even if you switched the yeast you’re using, you don’t have to change the recipe. Use the same kind of ingredients, in the same amounts. In the end, add the activated yeast to the mixture and turn on the bread machine.

Yeast will always do the same thing, regardless of its type

While it is true that the development of machines changed the way we do things, yeast will always be used for the same purpose.

The only difference comes in the way we use the yeast and how we will make it work in our case. Bread machine yeast indicates the fact that this type of yeast was made for being used in a bread machine, with minimum effort and preparation.

But, this doesn’t mean you can’t use any other type of yeast if you ran out of bread machine yeast or you simply want to try something different.

You can use any kind of yeast you want, as long as you respect the right steps to preparing the yeast for your recipe.

Switching your bread machine yeast with another type of yeast will change a bit the routine of making bread, but it won’t affect the final result if you’re paying a bit of attention.

If you usually tossed all the ingredients in the machine and pressed the button, you will now have to take a few minutes extra to take care of the yeast right.

Because the yeast is the one responsible for the puffiness, texture, and flavor of our bread, it is worth taking the time to do things correctly.

Activate the yeast, if needed, and use it correctly, and you will get to enjoy a delicious loaf of bread in the end.