In this day and age, it seems like everyone is trying to save a buck – especially when it comes to food. With bread being such a popular kitchen ingredient, it’s no wonder why people are jumping on board the homemade bread craze. Is it cheaper, though? Yup, sure is. Less than $2.
Hey, there! My name is Michelle, and I love bread. If you’re a regular visitor to our website, then you probably knew that already. I don’t keep my love for bread a secret. What I don’t discuss is my other love of saving money. Besides a tasty outcome, I love making bread because it’s cheap.
If you’re looking at your last piece of store-bought bread, wondering if it would be cheaper to make it yourself, I have good news for you – it’s cheaper. This article shares how much it costs to make a loaf of bread and whether or not it’s truly the cheaper option.
Contents
How Much Does it Cost to Make a Loaf of Bread at Home?
If you look at any basic bread recipe, they’re going to tell you the same thing. You will need water, yeast, flour, etc. A bunch of “basic” items that you probably have hiding in your kitchen pantry anyways.
But what’s the actual price of a homemade loaf of bread? We have to take a closer look at the specifics.
- Flour $1.00
- Yeast $0.06
- Salt $0.01
- Sugar $0.10
- Oil $0.10
- Water $0.00
- Electricity $0.50
Looking at these numbers, it’s clear that you’re going to be spending less than $2 on your loaf of bread. The same would be true if we added a few extra ingredients for the razzle-dazzle effect, such as honey, brown sugar, wheat flour, etc.
Is it Cheaper to Make Homemade Bread than Store-Bought Bread?
Well, technically, yes. But let’s be honest. I have found myself at the dollar stores buying a loaf of bread. Maybe money was tight; maybe I didn’t want to go to a big grocery store. Regardless, we have all seen bread for a buck or less.
In this case? I guess homemade bread would be slightly more expensive. Look below the bread crust, though. These “cheap” bread will be loaded to the brink with ingredients, some of which aren’t all that healthy. The flavor is going to suffer, too. (French toast or garlic bread, anyone?)
Instead, let’s look at some good bread like Artisan bread. This type of quality loaf easily costs you at least $4 if not more. Most people will spend the extra dollars because it’s just so good, not realizing they could make it themselves for less.
Cost of Labor
The absolute biggest cost of making homemade bread is labor – aka, spending hours in the kitchen trying to make bread. Bread isn’t always the simplest thing to master, so you might have to do it two or three times before it comes out decent.
It might seem like you’re spending hours in the kitchen trying to make bread. The good news is, making bread has a lot of behind-the-scenes work. The bread actually does most of the “baking.” You just have to knead it and let it work its magic. (It really is magic, y’all!)
The cost of labor is worth it, though, let me tell you. Not only is the bread going to be airy, light, and taste as it came from the most splendid bakery in the world, but you’re going to know exactly what ingredients are in it. That’s a hefty dose of peace of mind, right?
FAQs
See? I told you making a loaf of bread was cheaper than buying it at the grocery store. If you still have some questions, I don’t blame you. Actually, I want to help! I pulled up some frequently asked questions about this topic to share with you today.
How much is a loaf of homemade bread?
The actual ingredient aspect of homemade bread is about $1.35. But you also have to factor in the price of electricity (while cooking the bread). Everyone will end up with their own price, but bread bakes for about 35 minutes, so consider that.
How much does it cost to make a loaf of bread in South Africa?
If you’re wondering how much it costs to make a loaf of bread in South Africa, you should expect to pay R15. 51. This is for making bread at home and doing the work yourself. If you have a baker make the bread, the price jumps to R17. 84.
Is it cheaper to buy bread or make it?
It is far cheaper to make bread at home. Store-bought bread that is the same price as homemade will likely lack quality. Of course, you have to consider that while it is cheaper, it is far more time-consuming than simply buying a loaf from the store.
Is selling bread profitable?
If you can make a “mean” bread, then yes. I would say that selling bread brings home the “dough” (ha-ha). The key is to make delicious-tasting bread and price them correctly. Consider your ingredients, time, and energy into each loaf of bread you create and price as so.
Is homemade bread healthier than store-bought?
Homemade bread is immensely healthier than its store-bought counterpart. You can improve the nutrient level by using whole grain or whole wheat flour. Sometimes I will add other grains, like oats, flaxseeds, or chia seeds. You have the option of reducing sodium, too, if needed.
Final Words
It doesn’t cost a whole lot to make a loaf of bread at home. In fact, you shouldn’t pay more than $2. While it takes far more time and energy to create bread at home, you will save money and enjoy bread that is tastier and healthier than store-bought.
Do you make homemade bread? Share your recipe and cost with us below!
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