HOW TO MAKE BREAD IN THE MICROWAVE IN 4 STEPS
If your oven is in use or you’re feeling particularly creative, you can exercise your culinary creativity by making fresh bread with the help of your microwave. Use this guide to learn how to bake bread in the microwave so you can keep making even if your oven isn’t accessible.
CAN YOU BAKE BREAD IN THE MICROWAVE?
Though it won’t have the same color or crust of bread baked in an oven, you can use a traditional microwave to make a fresh loaf of bread whenever inspiration strikes. If you have a convection microwave, your results will more closely resemble oven-baked bread.
Select KitchenAid® microwaves offer innovative Convection Cooking that circulates heat around the microwave cavity and allows baking temperatures up to 450° F to help you create great-tasting bread if your oven is out of commission.
HOW TO MAKE DOUGH RISE IN THE MICROWAVE
Dough gets its rise from leavening agents and a process called proofing where you cover the dough and place it in a warm, moist environment. You can use a microwave to make dough rise by placing the dough and a cup of boiling water inside the microwave and closing the door.
MICROWAVE BREAD RECIPE
Whether your oven isn’t working, is already occupied or you just want to learn a new baking technique, read on for tips on how to make bread in your microwave.
INGREDIENTS
Unsalted butter
Instant yeast
Sugar
Salt
All-purpose flour
Warm water
TOOLS
Microwave-safe loaf pan or dish
Microwave, like these options from KitchenAid brand
Stand mixer with dough hook, like this KitchenAid® 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Clean cloth or plastic wrap
PREP TIME
75 minutes
COOK TIME
3–4 minutes
TOTAL TIME
90 minutes
YIELDS
1 loaf
STEP 1. PREP YOUR TOOLS
Place your stand mixer on a flat, even surface, plug it in and attach the Flat Beater. Grease your microwave-safe loaf pan with butter and set it to the side.
STEP 2. COMBINE INGREDIENTS WITH THE STAND MIXER
Add your butter, instant yeast, salt, sugar and warm water to your stand mixer bowl, then turn the mixer on low. Slowly add the flour in small increments, allowing it to be thoroughly incorporated into the dough before adding more.
STEP 3. KNEAD THE DOUGH
Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer and knead the dough for roughly 8 minutes, until it forms into a ball and it begins to look smooth and shiny.
STEP 4. PROOF THE DOUGH
Place the dough in your greased loaf pan and cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
STEP 5. BAKE THE BREAD
Place the microwave-safe loaf pan inside your microwave and close the door, then microwave the bread on high for about four minutes. The microwave power levels may vary depending on the make and model of your microwave, so you may want to start checking the bread at the three-minute mark for signs of doneness to avoid overcooking.
Let the bread cool for about 5 minutes before removing it from the baking dish.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES FOR MAKING MICROWAVE BREAD
HOW TO REHEAT BREAD WITH STEAM IN THE MICROWAVE
You can reheat bread in the microwave and achieve moist, fluffy results with the right tips and tricks. This method is best for restoring moisture to breads like naan, roti or pita. Read on below to learn how to steam bread in the microwave.
STEP 1. WRAP THE BREAD IN A DAMP PAPER TOWEL
To lock in the essential moisture, wrap the pieces or loaf in a damp paper towel before microwaving. You can dampen your paper towel with water from the sink or use a spray bottle.
STEP 2. PUT THE BREAD ON A MICROWAVE-SAFE DISH
Place your wrapped bread on a microwave-safe dish and set the dish on the microwave turntable, then close the door.
STEP 3. MICROWAVE
Heat the bread on high for 10–30 seconds. The cook time can vary depending on the make and model of your microwave, so you may need to check the bread every 10 seconds to monitor the steaming process.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT MICROWAVE BREAD
There are a few methods for storing and reheating your microwave bread to keep it tasting fresh and delicious. You can store bread in a bread box for a few days in a closed paper bag, or you can revive it in a toaster or oven. To store for longer, place the loaf in a tightly sealed plastic bag in the freezer for up to three months.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES
A KitchenAid® microwave can unlock more room to create within your kitchen. Explore select models with features like Convection Cooking, Crispwave™ Microwave Technology or the Sensor Steam Cycle so you can open the door to endless recipe possibilities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICROWAVES WITH KITCHENAID BRAND
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