Making yeast bread without a bread machine couldn't be easier! Here's how.
How to Make Bread Machine Recipes by Hand
Updated on Sep. 19, 2023
We recently got a note from reader J.A. in Honolulu, Hawaii. She asked, “I don’t own a bread machine. Could you please tell me how to make the dough for bread machine recipes without a bread machine?”
And she’s not the first to wonder. Let’s set the record straight.
I don’t own a bread machine, either, but my favorite dinner roll recipe starts out in a bread machine (these surprising recipes do, too). Any bread machine recipe can be made by hand if you follow the steps common to most yeast bread recipes. This method is for recipes using active dry yeast.
How to Convert a Bread Machine Recipe into an Oven One
Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water (110° to 115°).
Step 2: Add any of the wet ingredients such as eggs, additional liquid, sugar, honey, herbs, salt and most of the flour. (Be sure you’re measuring your flour correctly for the best results.) This will be a sticky dough to start with.
Step 3: Beat until smooth. You can do this by hand or with a mixer, whatever is easiest for you.
Step 4: Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This can vary depending on the humidity levels in your home. Here’s how to know if you’re using the right flour for the job.
Step 5: Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface, then knead it until smooth and elastic.
Step 6: Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray to keep it from drying out, turning once to coat the top.
Step 7: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled. (If you run into a snag, we’ve shared 9 ways to troubleshoot your dough, too).
Step 8: Punch dough down (hint: you’re just removing the air bubbles) and shape the dough accordingly. Let it rise one last time and then pop it into a preheated oven to bake as directed in the recipe.
That’s it! Super simple. Take the plunge and purchase one of our picks for the best bread machines of the year.
Ready to bake bread? Start with these simple 5-ingredient recipes.
Country White BreadThis country white bread is wonderful for making sandwiches or French toast, and it's quite delicious even on its own.
Feather-Light BiscuitsI usually used a glass as a cutter so the biscuits are bigger than average size, and I always baked some extras to send home with the kids. They liked to split them and fill them with cheese or peanut butter and strawberry jam. —Eleanore Hill, Fresno, California
Big-Batch Dinner RollsHere’s a home-baked roll you can make for every holiday. Just mix, knead, shape and par-bake, then pop 'em in the freezer. They’re ready to finish baking when guests are on their way. —Mary Jane Henderson, Salem, New Jersey
Pull-Apart Bacon BreadI stumbled across this recipe while looking for something different to take to a brunch. Boy, am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised it called for only five ingredients. It's the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. —Traci Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Drop BiscuitsDrop everything! It's time to bake some warm, golden drop biscuits. This five-ingredient recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Pull-Apart Caramel Coffee CakeThe first time I made this delightful breakfast treat for a brunch party, it was a huge hit. Now I get requests every time family or friends do anything around the breakfast hour! I always keep the four simple ingredients on hand. —Jaime Keeling, Keizer, Oregon
Garlic Crescent RollsThe simple comfort of warm crescent rolls gets dressed up with a brush of herbed garlic butter and a shower of Parmesan cheese.
Party Cheese BreadYou can't go wrong with this cheese bread recipe. The cheesy, butter bread is so simple to make but the taste is sinful. Plus it looks fantastic, and people just flock to it! It's better than the usual garlic bread with pasta, too. —Karen Grant, Tulare, California
Homemade Bread RecipeHere's a step-by-step guide to kneading, shaping and baking yeast bread for the freshest, fluffiest homemade loaves.
Bacon-Wrapped BreadsticksI first tried these breadsticks at a restaurant and the owner was kind enough to share the recipe. When I made them for my family, not a crumb was left and everyone was asking for more! —Wendy Domres, West Bend, Wisconsin
Bread BowlRe-create a perfectly cozy at-home version of Panera's famous bread bowl with this copycat recipe.
Rustic Cranberry & Orange BreadStudded with cranberries, slices of pretty bread make the perfect holiday brunch treat. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
No-Fuss RollsWith only 4 ingredients, these delicious rolls are ready in no time. They're fantastic with herb butter or jam. —Glenda Trail, Manchester, Tennessee
Bacon Crescent RollsThe mouthwatering aroma of warm bacon from these three-ingredient rolls will draw folks to the table. These are fun for children to prepare and such a cinch to assemble with ready-cooked bacon. —Jane Nearing, Indianapolis, Indiana
French BreadOnce you make this easy French bread recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought loaves. Here are our best tips on how to bake it.
Pull-Apart Garlic BreadThis pull-apart garlic bread is buttery, savory and all-around excellent. Plus, it's quite easy to make with premade dough.
Buttermilk BiscuitsYou can make biscuits any day of the week with this simple 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits recipe.
Potato Pan RollsMy family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. —Connie Storckman, Evanston, Wyoming
Monkey BreadBoth of my boys really enjoyed helping me make this butterscotch monkey bread when they were young. It seemed to taste twice as good when they helped fix it. It's one of our favorites for breakfast or as a snack. —Carol Allen, McLeansboro, Illinois
Monkey Bread BiscuitsI came up with an easy, savory—instead of sweet—dinner version of monkey bread featuring garlic and Italian seasoning. —Dana Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Oatmeal Dinner RollsThese fluffy rolls go perfectly with any meal. They have a delicious homemade flavor that's irresistible. I like them because they're not hard to make and they bake up nice and high. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa
Italian BreadA basket of Italian bread complements any meal. Make your own loaves at home with our simple, straightforward recipe, then use them for sandwiches or just for sopping up some sauce.
Parmesan-Ranch Pan RollsMom taught me this easy recipe, which is perfect for feeding a crowd. There is never a crumb left over. Mom used her own bread dough, but using frozen dough is my shortcut. I make a wheat bread dough version with poppy and sesame seeds that’s popular, too. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Home-Style Yeast BreadEveryone likes the tender texture and slightly sweet taste of this homemade bread. When I'm in the mood to bake, I usually double the recipe and share loaves with friends. The dough also makes lovely rolls.
-Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Yeast RollsEvery home cook should have a recipe on hand for soft and fluffy yeast rolls. They're made with basic ingredients and come in handy when you need a simple dinner side.
