Who knew you could bake bread in a crockpot?! This Whole Wheat Honey Bread is soft, slightly sweet, and so easy to make—no oven needed! Just mix up the dough, let it rise, and let the slow cooker do the work. It’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just slathering with butter while it’s warm. If you’ve never baked bread before, this is a great place to start. Let’s do it!
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Tools:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or dough hook
- Clean kitchen towel
- Parchment paper
- Slow cooker (crockpot)
Pro Tips
✔ Check the water temp! If it’s too hot, it’ll kill the yeast. If it’s too cold, the dough won’t rise. Aim for warm but not hot—like bath water.
✔ Let the dough rise in a warm spot. If your kitchen is chilly, place the bowl near a sunny window or in a slightly warmed oven (turned OFF).
✔ Line your slow cooker with parchment paper. This keeps the bread from sticking and makes it easy to lift out.
✔ Don’t lift the lid too much! The steam inside helps bake the bread, so try not to peek too often.
Substitutions & Variations
🔹 No honey? Swap it for maple syrup or agave.
🔹 Want a heartier texture? Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds.
🔹 Love seeds? Sprinkle sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds on top before baking.
🔹 Gluten-free? Use a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture may be different.
Make-Ahead Tips
- You can mix the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Just bring it to room temp before cooking!
How to Make It
1. Activate the yeast
In a small bowl, mix warm water, honey, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix the dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until it forms a shaggy dough.
3. Knead the dough
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Let it rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape & cook in the slow cooker
Gently shape the dough into a round loaf and place it in the slow cooker lined with parchment paper. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-2.5 hours until the top is firm and the bottom is golden brown.
6. Crisp it up (optional)
For a golden crust, pop the bread in a preheated 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes after cooking.
7. Cool & Enjoy
Remove the bread from the slow cooker and place it on a wire rack to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps the texture set so it’s soft inside but not gummy. Then, slice it up and enjoy with butter, jam, or just as is!
Leftovers & Storage
🥖 Room Temp: Store in an airtight container or wrapped in a towel for 2-3 days.
❄ Freezer: Slice and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Toast from frozen!
🔥 Reheat: Warm slices in the toaster or microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
Let’s Bake!
That’s it! Fresh, homemade whole wheat honey bread—right from your crockpot. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Did your family love it? Drop a comment with your thoughts or any questions. Happy baking! 🍞💕
