Bread certainly isn’t the easiest thing to bake (and if you’re a newbie, consider purchasing a baking cookbook for beginners). From kneading to shaping to proofing, there are many steps involved in bread-baking – and the last step is baking. Having the right temperature is vital to success.
Depending on the type of bread you’re baking, the ideal temperature can range from 325F to 500F. With that in mind, it’s always best to follow along with your recipe as close as possible. This will render the best results.
Hey, everyone! I’m Michelle, and I love bread! From yummy French bread to delicious banana bread, I’m a fan of baking (and eating) it all. Of course, no two bread types are the same, and each requires specific instructions and temperatures. I’m here to tell you what temperature to bake your favorite loaves.
Who’s ready to turn up the heat?
Contents
Bread Baking Temperature
Bread-baking temperatures can range from 325F to 500F. That’s a broad range, which can leave some people scratching their heads. The truth is, each type of bread requires its own temperature. Not only that, but some types of bread require temperature changes partially through the baking process (sourdough).
The best thing is to follow the recipe to a tee. If it tells you the oven needs to preheat, then do it. If the recipe shares to turn the oven down a notch halfway through, then do it. Until you’re familiar with baking bread, it’s best to go down the instructions and follow them entirely.
Below, I have outlined some of the most popular types of bread and what temperature they should likely be baked at. As always, I recommend following your recipe’s instructions for the best results.
Here’s a quick cheatsheet for the common bread baking temperature:
- Whole Grain Loaf/350F/35 Minutes
- Dinner Rolls/375F/35 Minutes
- Hamburger Buns/350F/20 Minutes
- Sourdough Round/450F/40 Minutes
- Banana Bread/350F/60 Minutes
- Baguette/480F/30 Minutes
Now let’s get more specific.
1. “Regular” sandwich bread
Let’s start with the bread that’s most commonly made, either in the oven or with a bread machine: regular sandwich bread. White sandwich bread typically bakes anywhere between 350F and 375F, while their whole wheat cousin prefers temperatures up to 425F.
2. Sourdough bread
Sourdough bread (and other rustic bread types, for that matter) require higher heat. Rustic bread needs at least 400F to bake correctly. However, 450F is the recommended temperature, although some bakers (including myself) opt for 500F.
Note: The unique thing about baking sourdough bread is that it requires an ample amount of steam, which is why baking with a Dutch oven is highly recommended. Don’t worry, though – you can also bake sourdough without a Dutch oven.
3. High-fat bread (brioche, Hokkaido milk bread, etc.)
Thinking about high-fat bread, like brioche and Hokkaido milk bread, is enough to make my mouth water. How about yours? If you’re planning to bake high-fat bread, it’s crucial to follow the recipe closely. Each high-fat bread will require a specific temperature. However, most bake around 350F.
4. Quick bread (banana bread, zucchini bread, etc.)
Are you looking to bake a quick bread, like zucchini or banana bread? Then you will want to crank the temperature down to 325F. That’s mainly because these bread types are technically “cakes” and do not need as high temperatures as actual “bread.”
5. Bagels/buns
Bagels and buns (hamburgers and hot dogs) are two other types of bread that will require plenty of heat. In fact, most bagel recipes say to set the oven temperature to 425F, although many go as high as 475F.
6. Pizza
Pizza is another type of “bread” that requires very high temperatures. In my opinion, you should always bake pizzas at the highest temperature your oven will allow for. For me, that means 500F. For you, that may mean 450F, which is a-okay, too. Just make sure you use the highest temperature possible. (I know this can be sort of scary, but I promise it’s worth it!)
Pro Tip: Always Follow the Recipe
As you can see, the baking temperature for bread can change drastically depending on the type of bread you’re baking. To ensure you use the right temperature, pay attention to your recipe and follow the instructions.
If you’re unsure, or the temperature is not listed, you can almost always be successful with temperatures between 350F and 400F. However, you will want to keep a close eye on your bread to ensure you take it out of the oven when it’s done.
FAQs
Now you know what temperature to bake bread. Wait, you’re still here? OK, I’m glad I found these few commonly asked questions to appease you. Let’s check them out together!
Can you bake bread at 350 degrees?
You can bake bread at 350F. In fact, many types of bread prefer a temperature of 350F. While I suggest following your recipe’s directions, if you can’t find the temperature or are unsure of the proper temperature, 350F should render good results regardless of the bread you’re baking.
What happens when you bake bread at a lower temperature?
If the temperature is too low, your bread simply won’t bake as it’s supposed to. It will likely come out flat and dense. That’s why following your recipe and using the correct temperature is imperative.
How long should you bake bread?
How long you should bake bread depends solely on the type of bread you’re baking, as some bake quicker than others. Again, follow your recipe’s instructions for baking times. However, most bread should be done in about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it!
Can you bake bread at 325?
There is no rule saying you can’t bake bread at 325F, but most recipes require you to bake bread at a much higher temperature. This is especially true for bread that has a thick crust, such as sourdough.
Can you bake bread at 425?
Yup! In fact, this is the required temperature for many different types of bread. Again, it is always best to refer to the recipe to know how high the temperature should be in the oven.
The Right Temperature for Your Bread Depends on the Loaf
Bread-baking temperatures range from 325F to 500F. “Regular” bread tends to like cooler temps around 350F, while rustic options prefer high heat up to 500F. Follow your recipe’s instructions to ensure you use the right temperature and bake your bread for the correct amount of time.
What temperature do you typically bake your bread? Do you follow the recipe, or do you have a temperature you prefer? Share in the comment section below!
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