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You are here: Home / Recipes / Baking / Bread Recipes / Easy Yeasted Kefir Bread Recipe

Easy Yeasted Kefir Bread Recipe

Published on January 11, 2018 by Helen Best-Shaw 37 Comments
Last Updated on May 14, 2020

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An easy to make deliciously soft and light loaf of kefir bread with a hint of sourness, made with kefir fermented milk. Equally perfect for breakfast toast or teatime sandwiches. Freezes well and can be toasted from frozen.

Butter-ready slices of delicious home made kefir bread

Everything You Need To Know

  • Kefir Bread
    • How Can I Make Kefir Bread?
  • The best way to grease a bread tin to stop sticking
  • Yeasted kefir bread
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Kefir Bread

We have become big fans of kefir; which, if you haven’t come across it, is a type of fermented milk. With a consistency similar to pouring yoghurt, it has a delicious hint of sourness – it is ideal in the summer months for soaking your overnight oats or bircher museli or whizzed into a smoothie.

It’s now available in many supermarkets, but it’s so easy and considerably cheaper to make your own once you have acquired the necessary fermenting agent, the kefir grains.

These look like small cauliflower florets; add the grains to milk (cows or goats) and leave on the countertop (or in the fridge if it’s particularly warm) for a day or so, sieve out the grains for reuse and you have a jug of health-giving fermented kefir. The grains are a symbiotic mixture of “friendly” bacteria and yeasts, and the resulting drink is rich in probiotics.

Kefir grains on a wooden board

To keep the grains in peak condition, it’s important not to leave them too long in milk; the best way to keep them in tip top form is to feed them by making kefir. In summer, this isn’t a problem as by the time a litre of milk has fermented, we’re ready to use it. However, in winter we have far less need for it; Herbert our miniature Dachshund gets a little to drink every day, diluted down, to boost his probiotics and hydration. .

Over time the grains will grow and grow and you will eventually have more than enough to pass some along to someone new, who will rapidly become a paid up member of the kefir fan club. Spare grains are also good for dogs and Herbert happily gobbles them down.

We’re always looking for new ways of incorporating kefir into our diet, so I decided to try a loaf. Bear in mind, though, that the baking process will kill the probiotic bacteria, but the hint of sourness in the final loaf is worth it.

A loaf of yeasted kefir bread, made with home-fermented kefir.

How Can I Make Kefir Bread?

For this loaf use we used a mixture of water and kefir, and white and brown bread flours. While I used our home-made kefir, this loaf would work equally well with a bottle of commercial kefir, now widely available in many supermarkets. Use the unflavoured, unsweeted plain variety.

I made this loaf using my normal yeasted bread technique. Mix all the ingredients until they come together into a shaggy dough. Then knead the dough for about ten minutes until smooth and pliable. Place back in the mixing bowl, and cover (I use a disposable shower cap – we now take them from every hotel stay – or even a plate), and leave somewhere warm to rise. During the winter, raise the dough either next to a radiator or in the oven with the light on. After about an hour, once it has roughly doubled in size form into a loaf shape and place in a loaf tin.

Delicious and wholesome bread, made with home fermented milk kefir

To give the kefir bread its attractive shine, bake it inside a terracotta bread baking cloche with a little added water to provide some steam for a crustier crust.  Remove the top of the cloche halfway though cooking to allow the loaf to brown.

The final result is a delicious loaf of bread with a hint of sourness, with a soft crumb, perfect at any time of day either as it or popped in the toaster.

If you like this recipe, you can make bread with home-made kefir without any added yeast, as shown in my no yeast kefir-raised bread recipe. 

The best way to grease a bread tin to stop sticking

I now always grease my bread tins with butter rather than oil, as it makes it far less likely that the loaf will stick to the pan. I find that oil runs down and the loaf sticks, even when using a non-stick pan. Old butter wrappers are perfect for this.

 

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A delicious and wholesome yeasted loaf of bread made with kefir
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4.95 from 18 votes

Yeasted kefir bread

An easy to make deliciously soft and light loaf of kefir bread with a hint of sourness, made with kefir fermented milk. Equally perfect for breakfast toast or teatime sandwiches. Freezes well and can be toasted from frozen.
Servings: 12 slices
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Raising2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 50 mins
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Ingredients

  • 275 g strong white bread flour
  • 125 g strong brown bread flour
  • 160 ml water (luke warm)
  • 100 ml kefir
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp yeast (activated or quick. Not fresh)
  • 1 tbsp butter (for the loaf tin)

Instructions

  • If using activated yeast, dissolve it in the water. This isn't necessary if using quick yeast.
  • Add the flours to a large bowl. Add water, kefir, yeast and salt. Using your fingers, stir the mixture to bring the dough together.
  • Tip the dough out onto a worksurface. Knead until smooth and pliable - about 10 minutes. Form into a ball shape and place back in the bowl. Cover, and leave somewhere warm to rise for about an hour, until roughly doubled in volume. Actual timings depend on the ambient temperature.
  • Grease a loaf tin with the butter. Tip the dough out of the bowl, and roll into a sausage as long as the tin. Place into the tin seam side down. Cover again, and leave for a further 45 minutes to 1 hour, until doubled again. After about 30 minutes, switch on your oven.
  • Bake at fan 200C/gas 7 for about 40 minutes, until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Notes

  • This recipe is 12 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portions
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Yeasted kefir bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 199mg9%
Potassium 38mg1%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 15IU0%
Calcium 15mg2%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Baked Goods, Bread
Cuisine: Baking, Bread
Keyword: Bread, kefir bread, yeasted kefir bread
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Filed Under: Baking, Bread Recipes, Breakfast & Brunch Recipes, Recipes Ingredients: Bread Flour, Kefir

Previous Post: « Kefir Raised No-Yeast Bread
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    Recipe Rating




  1. Laura H

    5 stars
    Not sure I’ve ever eaten anything with kefir in it before but I’ve seen a lot of kefir drinks on the market recently. I’ll check it out and see if I can make this loaf myself!

    Reply
    • Helen

      The flavour is really rather delicious Laura.

      Reply
  2. Tori

    5 stars
    I’ve never heard of kefir before but it’s something I’ll look out for now. I also love the tip about using a shower cap!

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth

    5 stars
    What an absolutely gorgeous looking loaf of bread! I confess I’ve yet to try kefir, but I intrigued by it!

    Reply
    • Helen

      We love kefir here, as does Herbert too!

      Reply
  4. Charli Bruce

    5 stars
    Thanks for this recipe, we’ve been wanting to make bread at home for ages now but it always seems a bit of a hassle. Shall have to give this a try x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Making bread at home is always easier than we think, you should really give it a go.

      Reply
  5. Rebecca Smith

    5 stars
    I have never tried kefir before, least of all in bread – but this sounds absolutely delicious. What a great way to incorporate kefir into your diet

    Reply
    • Helen

      The baking process did kill off the probiotic bacteria, but the hint of sour flavour is delicious.

      Reply
  6. Helen at Casa Costello

    5 stars
    Ooh I like the sound of the added touch of sourness in this bread. I’ve never experimented with Kefir yet but maybe this will be the year.

    Reply
    • Helen

      We are a big fan of Kefir, Herbert thinks it is rather wonderful too.

      Reply
  7. Rhian Westbury

    4 stars
    I have never heard of kefir, but it looks like a good way to make your own bread that’s a bit different x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Kefir is a great addition to your diet, delicious flavour and great properties.

      Reply
  8. Nichola - Globalmouse

    5 stars
    I have never heard of kefir before but that is one seriously tasty looking loaf so I’m looking forward to exploring it more.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’m a big fan of Kefir, and would recommend giving it a go. Using it in this recipe added a delicious sour flavour.

      Reply
  9. Sabina Sher

    5 stars
    I’ve never heard of this type of bread before (where have I been?), but it looks wonderful – I love your imagery x

    Reply
    • Helen

      This recipe makes a delicious tasting bread, ideal for daily use.

      Reply
  10. Olivia

    5 stars
    I’ve never heard of Kefir bread, however this looks divine. There is not much which is better than a yummy fresh loaf. Sounds simpler than I thought too. Great post :) x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Homemade bread is so easy to make, and so tasty.

      Reply
  11. Katie Crenshaw

    5 stars
    That is a beautiful loaf of bread. I have never used kefir for baking bread. I can’t wait to try this recipe and see how it turns out.

    Reply
    • Helen

      The addition of Kefir gives a hint of sourness, such a good flavour.

      Reply
  12. Felesha Bell

    5 stars
    Always wanted to try my hand at baking!! Sounds like you have a great loaf of sourdough bread there. Love sourdouigh!!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I love making homemade bread, always so tasty.

      Reply
  13. Sarah

    5 stars
    You had me at “easy”! Love that this recipe looks simple to make and sounds delicious, one that everyone would love!

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make Sarah, and so delicious.

      Reply
  14. Ali from Home & Plate

    5 stars
    You’ve made this look so easy. I love a warm loaf a bread right out of the oven and this is the perfect way to try kefir.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Something rather delicious about homemade bread.

      Reply
  15. Amanda Finks

    5 stars
    Love that this bread has healthy kefir in it! So good :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’m a big fan of Kefir, adding it to this recipe added delicious flavour.

      Reply
  16. Tracy | Baking Mischief

    5 stars
    I’ve never had bread made with kefir, but it sounds so good! And I love your shower cap trick! I’m going to start collecting them for that purpose. :)

    Reply
  17. Helen

    A really simple idea that works well.

    Reply
  18. Andrea F

    So… do you use 300g strong white bread flour? Just wondering why it’s listed twice in the ingredients.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Good spot – it is a mix of white and brown strong bread flours – we have corrected.

      Reply
  19. Felicity D

    5 stars
    I started to add kefir in to my diet this year. Had never thought of using it in bread, great idea.

    Reply
  20. Neil Barns

    5 stars
    Such a great make. I highly recommend adding the Kefir, as the underlying taste is delicious.

    Reply
  21. Nanette

    5 stars
    I made this today and it is perfect. I followed the recipe 100% and got the fluffiest and tastiest bread. I split mine onto two baguettes stretched and ba Jed on moulded mesh trays. I also put lots of olives (rolled as one long piece then cut mid-length in two shorter halves.
    I highly recommend this recipe.

    Reply
    • Helen Best-Shaw

      Hi Nanette, that is great! I love kefir in bread as it makes it so soft and fluffy.

      Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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