Honey Oat Bread is a loaf of soft, utterly delicious homemade bread made with classic ingredients including oats, milk, olive oil & honey.
Honey Oat Bread is truly my favorite! There’s something special about baking fresh bread at home, and when I stumbled upon this recipe, I couldn’t wait to give it a try. The result was incredible! I believe homemade bread tastes best on the day it’s baked, so I sliced some for my kids’ after-school snack and served the rest at dinner.
Ingredients for Honey Oat Bread
Dry Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour (or half whole wheat flour): Provides the structure and texture of the bread.
¾ cups oats (either instant or old-fashioned): Adds flavor and a chewy texture.
1 TBSP instant yeast: Acts as the leavening agent, helping the dough rise for a light and airy loaf.
1 ½ tsp salt: Enhances the overall flavor
Wet Ingredients
1 cup milk: Adds moisture and richness, contributing to the bread’s soft crumb and enhancing flavor.
¼ cup lukewarm water: Activates the yeast, helping it to rise effectively when combined with other ingredients.
2 TBSP light olive oil: Provides richness and a tender texture, contributing to the overall flavor and mouthfeel of the bread.
¼ cup honey: Naturally sweetens the bread
Toppings
1 ½ to 2 TBSP oats: Sprinkled on top for added texture and visual appeal
1 ½ to 2 TBSP warmed honey: Adds a glossy finish and an extra touch of sweetness on top of the loaf.
Making Homemade Honey Oat Bread
If you’ve never made bread before, here is the basic formula for making your own at home:
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, yeast, and salt until evenly combined.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Warm the milk until it’s just slightly warm to the touch (not hot). In a small bowl mix the warmed milk, water, melted butter, and honey.
Step 3: Mix and Knead the Dough
Stir the wet and dry ingredients together until a soft dough forms. Mix with a dough hook until it just comes together. Continue to knead in the mixer, with the dough hook attachment, for about 7-10 minutes. You want the dough smooth and elastic.
Tip: If the dough feels too sticky still after 5 minutes of kneading, add a little flour, one tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry, add water, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) at a time, to soften it up.

Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30–60 minutes.

Step 5: Shape the Dough
Once doubled, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface if needed. Flatten into a 9×12-inch rectangle, then roll tightly into a loaf, tucking in the ends. Place in a greased 9×5-inch pan, brush with warmed honey, and sprinkle with oats.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the loaf loosely and let it rise again in a warm spot until doubled, about 30 minutes. (In colder weather, I use a slightly warmed, turned-off oven with the light on.)
Step 7: Bake the Bread
Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190–200°F (Breads with milk should reach closer to 200°F.)

Step 8: Cool the Bread
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Allow at least 20 minutes before slicing—cutting too early can cause the loaf to collapse or become gummy.

Honey Oat Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour can use half whole wheat flour
- ¾ cups oats either instant or old fashioned
- 1 TBSP instant yeast
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup water lukewarm
- 2 TBSP light olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
Toppings
- 2 TBSP honey warmed
- 2 TBSP oats
Instructions
- In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the flour, oats, yeast, and salt.
- In a small bowl, warm the milk slightly, but not boiling. Add the olive oil, then stir in the water and honey.
- Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, mixing with a dough hook until it just comes together to form a dough. Knead with the dough hook attachment, for 7-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic (if you’re making this recipe by hand, the dough will be very sticky at first; flour your hands and work surface generously and be patient). If the dough is still very wet and sticky after 5 minutes of kneading, add more flour, 1 TBSP at a time, until the dough is barely tacky. If the dough is too dry, add water, 1 tsp at a time, to soften it up.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise until doubled, for about 30-60 minutes.
- Once doubled, place the dough on a clean, dry work surface. If the dough is too sticky, lightly flour the surface before continuing. With your fingers, flatten the dough into a 9×12-inch pan. Tightly roll the dough, tucking the ends as needed, into a loaf. Brush the top with the warmed honey and sprinkle with the oats. Allow the loaf to rise in a slightly warm location until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- When dough has doubled, preheat oven to 350 degrees (180 C). Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the bread is deep golden brown and the internal temperature is about 190-200 degrees. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving. Slice, serve, & enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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How do you store homemade bread?
Fresh honey oat bread is best enjoyed within 2–3 days when stored at room temperature. Keep it tightly wrapped or in an airtight container to maintain softness. These bread bags are pretty amazing!
Freezing is also highly recommended if you want it to last longer. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or airtight container. It keeps well for about 2–3 months in the freezer.
To use, thaw at room temperature, or warm slices in the toaster or oven for a fresh-baked feel.
Can I use all whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the bread will be denser. For best results, I recommend using half all-purpose and half whole wheat flour so the loaf stays soft and light while still having a hearty flavor.
Why didn’t my dough rise?
This usually happens if the yeast is expired or the liquid was too hot or too cold. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your milk is warm—not hot—to help activate it properly.
Best Bread Pan?
I bake a lot of bread and the pans I prefer are either ceramic, glass or cast iron. These pans will bake bread more evenly and release the bread more easily after baking. I don’t like using dark or nonstick pans because the bread cooks unevenly. It darkens on the outside before the bread is cooked on the inside, so the coloring is uneven. Read more about which bread pan is the best here!
Why is my bread dense?
This can happen if too much flour was added, the dough wasn’t kneaded enough, or it didn’t rise long enough. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, not dry.
Try more amazing soft, homemade bread recipes here:
- This easy homemade bread comes out soft, fluffy, and bakery-worthy every single time—and you only need a few pantry staples and about 2 hours. If you’ve ever wanted to bake fresh bread from scratch without the stress, this foolproof recipe is the one to start with.
- Try our easy, beginner-friendly honey wheat bread recipe that makes homemade bread feel totally doable (and absolutely worth it).
- Copycat Cheesecake Factory brown bread is soft and slightly sweet with hints of molasses, brown sugar, and honey in every bite. It’s an easy homemade version of the restaurant favorite.
- Tender and unbelievably easy to make, this homemade buttermilk bread is made with just 6 simple ingredients. With rich flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll want to make on repeat.
- Homemade vegan bread—no one will guess it’s dairy-free! It’s an easy, foolproof recipe that makes two beautiful sandwich loaves you’ll want to use for everything.
This honey oat bread is made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, milk, and honey. It’s the kind of cozy homemade loaf that works just as well for snacks as it does alongside dinner.














Mariana Portillo says
I am from Venezuela. We have an incredible high quality breads in there. This oatmeal bread is amazing and very similar to the quality and flavor of my Venezuelan bread. I didn’t modify at all the recipe. It is just perfection!
Nellie says
I’ve never tried Venezuelan bread but I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kdarimas says
can I sub the all-purpose flour with oatmeal flour?
Jessica says
I have zero experience with oatmeal flour, unfortunately.
Simrat says
I am using a mix of flour ( all purpose flour, whole wheat flour and oatmeal flour) …. it’s still baking in the oven and hoping it turns out nice. This is the first time I making it this way ….
Jessica says
Interesting! I’ve never baked with oatmeal flour before!
Kerrie says
This bread recipe is a hit whenever I make it. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Jessica says
So glad you like it Kerrie!
Donna says
Anyone made this in their breadmachine?? Did it work??
Carol Weber says
I used a lot of extra flour during the mix, because the dough was really, really wet. Also, my oven must be super-nuclear, because the loaf was done (I could smell it) 5 minutes before the recipe time. Internal temp was over 190 degrees & crust was almost too dark. Otherwise, good, doable recipe.
Jessica says
Try laying a piece of foil on the loaf to prevent it from getting too dark. The dough is wet, but more manageable after it rises. : ) Hope this helps.
Tiffany says
Omg this is helllaaa good. I made one yesterday and gave half away now I’m making another! Thank you for an amazing recipe!
Anne-Marie says
Made this yummy bread, and it was super easy! My only issue is that the crust separated from the bread leaving a tunnel. I’m making another loaf today to figure out the issue and to share with my neighbors!
Jessica says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! I’ve never had that happen before- so odd. What type of pan did you use?
Beena says
Superb
Jessica says
Thanks Beena!
Erika says
This was really good! I didn’t even have time to do the full rise, and it worked OK. Thanks for a great recipe!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Erika!
ROBYN says
Great ever recipe! I try many many recipe shared but yours is the best, thanks you much!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Robyn!
Diya says
I made this bread today. Perfect! Thank you for the recipe
Kaylie says
Thank you, Diya!
Yuri Clingerman says
The dough was very dry. I added some more water but it didn’t help much. Not sure what happened. Disappointed.
Jessica says
It sounds like you added too much flour. Go slow and add just enough to make the dough tacky- not sticky & not so that it cleans the bowl perfectly.
Dena says
See step 1 and step 3. Can’t find step 2
Jessica says
It was a typo- the steps are correct, the numbers… are NOW correct. 😉
Sharan kaur says
Made it last night and it turned out absolutely beautiful. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Michele says
Looks so good and can’t wait to try! Can you use almond milk instead of milk in this?
Jessica says
I’ve not tried it with almond milk, but I usually am able to sub it in just fine!
Clau says
Amazing bread! It’s a hit every time. But now I have to be gluten free for 30 days. If I substitute for almond or oat flour, what kind of adjustments must I make (use less? More?) Thank you
Nellie says
I’m not very familiar with almond or oat flour so I’m not sure. Good luck going gluten free!
Steph K says
It’s one of my favorite homemade bread recipes!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Steph!
Katy says
I made this bread today. Perfect! Thank you for the recipe!
Nellie says
So glad you enjoyed it Katy!
Kaleb says
This bread recipe is a hit whenever I make it. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Kaylie says
Thank you, Kaleb!
Carol says
Is this supposed to make 1 loaf or 2. Recipe doesn’t say?
Jessica says
It just makes 1 loaf.
Riley says
Can you put it in a bread maker and for how long?
Elaine says
My husband requests that I only make this bread!