Can You Use Regular Flour In Bread Machine?

Using a bread machine to make bread usually requires the use of special ingredients as well. This means that, in order to get a great loaf of bread, it is recommended to use bread flour and instant or bread machine yeast. Ingredients like these will make the bread rise appropriately and have the desired consistency and texture.

So, can you use regular flour in a bread machine? You can use normal flour in a bread maker and normal ingredients in general.  You just need to pay attention to proportions and how the dough is coming out when using different ingredients, like different types of flour.

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Regular flour or all-purpose flour can be used for making bread

Normal flour can be used for making bread, regardless if you choose to knead it manually or by using a bread machine.

In fact, you can even mix flours, like whole wheat flour with rye flour for example, and still obtain a great loaf of bread.

Of course, depending on the type of flour you use and their quantities, the properties of your loaf of bread can be different. For instance, a loaf of bread made with whole flour will be more consistent and slightly crumbly when you will cut it.

If you want to try making different recipes of bread, all you have to do is to search for them online and experiment, After you will acquire a certain level of experience, you will be able to make a loaf of bread according to your own preferences and requirements.

So, if you want to try making bread with normal flour or that is just the kind of flour you have available in the kitchen, you can proceed to bread making without issues.

And you can do this even if you plan to use a bread machine. You’ll just have to pay attention to the proportions of the ingredients, as normal flour will behave differently in comparison with special bread flour.

In fact, every type of flour behaves in a different manner, an aspect triggered by the content of gluten, fibers, and other properties of the flour.

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Pay attention to the amount of gluten contained by the flour

When preparing bread dough, gluten is the one that will make the dough stick together and have an elastic consistency.

In other words, when the dough is kneaded, binds between gluten molecules form, which leads to a dough with a smooth appearance and elastic shape.

So, the amount of flour used for making dough depends on how well these gluten binds can form.

Regular flour has a smaller quantity of gluten than bread flour, which means that you may need slightly more regular flour to your usual recipe.

Also, it is worth remembering that the level of gluten can vary from one brand of flour to another. So, don’t assume that if you buy any kind of regular flour, you will have the same amount of gluten for each.

If you tried baking with various flour brands, you probably noticed some differences when preparing the dough.

For example, some flour brands made you put more flour than initially stated in the recipe, while other brands made the dough harder and drier, in spite of using the recipe’s indicated flour amount.

These aspects are due to the different level of gluten contained by the flour.

In general, regular flour contains gluten in proportions of 9 to 12%, while bread flour contains gluten in proportions ranging between 10 and 13%.

As you can see, it is possible for these two types of flour to have overlapping values. This means that you could use regular flour in the same way you’re using bread flour, as the result will be similar.

But, for this, you should check the amount of gluten mentioned on the package of each brand of flour.

Don’t hesitate trying regular flour in your bread machine

If you really want to enjoy a loaf of homemade bread, you shouldn’t hesitate trying regular flour in your bread machine. As mentioned earlier, you can use any kind of flour, as long as you get the proportions right.

How will you know much much regular flour is enough? Well, in case you don’t know the differences between the flour you are planning to use and the flour you used to use, in terms of gluten levels, you will just have to experiment.

Try putting the same amount of flour to the machine, as you used to when making bread dough. If there’s too little flour, you will notice that the dough is stickier at the end of the kneading process. In case this happens, you will have to terminate the process, add a bit more flour, and make the machine knead the dough more several minutes extra.

There is also the chance for the dough to come out heavier than usual. In this case, you will know to diminish the amount of flour used for the making of the dough next time.

One thing is for sure and that is the fact that regular flour can definitely work. You just need to find a recipe that works in your case.

This will be influenced by the type and brand of flour you will choose to use. But, after a while, you will get the hang of it. Still, if you want to get a bit of help, check out the bread dough recipes suggested by the manual that comes along with the bread machine.

Also, you may want to look for some recipes online as well. They will give you a hint when it comes to the amount of regular flour you can use in a bread machine.

Regular flour can provide a tasty and spongy loaf of bread

Believing that regular flour is not good enough for bread making is a wrong assumption. If you get good quality all-purpose flour, you can enjoy delicious slices of homemade bread for sure.

The secret lies in finding the recipe that works best for you. For this, you will have to know your preferences and be aware of the kind of ingredients you plan to use.