Renewing your spirit one bite at a time

Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread


This delicious and everyday easy sourdough sandwich bread is incredibly easy to whip up, demanding minimal hands-on time and delivering a beautiful result. Simply mix the dough the night before and let it rest until the next day for a fresh batch of sourdough bread by mid-morning 🙂

Boasting just five wholesome ingredients and devoid of any chemicals or preservatives found in store-bought varieties, this loaf offers a mild, slightly sour flavor. The interior is a delightful combination of fluffy and chewy, encased in a faint crisp exterior.

We use this versatile bread for both sandwiches and breakfast toast. I cherish this recipe not only for its simplicity but also for how wonderfully it caters to our needs. I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

easy sourdough sandwich bread

Tips for your easy sourdough sandwich bread

  • Feel free to experiment with flour variations, like substituting a cup of bread flour with whole wheat or rye flour. Keep in mind that you may need to incorporate more water, as these flours typically absorb more moisture. Add a teaspoon of water at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
  • Use an active bubbly starter as this will help with your rise and overall flavor.
  • You can garnish your bread with seeds of your choice such as sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.
  • This is a 2-bulk rise recipe roughly 8-12 hours (bulk 1) and 2-4 hours (bulk 2) at 68 degrees F. The temperature of your home will make a difference in proofing time. If your home is warmer you may not need as much time. If your home is much cooler, try putting the bread in a warm place like an oven with the light on.
  • This dough can be refrigerated after its first bulk rise for up to 24 hours if needed. When ready to use simply remove it from the fridge, shape, and allow it to complete its second bulk rise before baking.
sourdough sandwich loaf

How to make an easy sourdough sandwich bread: step-by-step

Baker’s schedule option 1: Mix your dough the evening before to bake for the following mid-morning.

Baker’s schedule option 2: feed your starter in the evening, mix the dough the following morning, allow the dough to rise, and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Shape, proof, and bake the dough the following morning.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of all-purpose flour or bread flour (500 grams) (see notes)
  • 1 cup and 2.5 tablespoons of lukewarm water (275 grams)
  • 1/4 cup of fed sourdough starter (50 grams)
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons of fine sea salt (9 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar (24 grams) (this can be substituted with honey or maple syrup)
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil (28 grams)

Notes: If using bread flour plan to add 15-20 grams of more water.

Equipment

  • 9×5 loaf pan
  • mixing bowl
  • bench scraper (optional but handy)
  • food scale or measuring cups and spoons

Mix the dough

  • In your mixing bowl dissolve your sourdough starter and sugar in the lukewarm water. Stir with a fork.
  • Add your flour, olive oil, and salt. Mix with the fork and then use your hands until all the flour absorbs the water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

TIP: If using bread flour plan to add 15-20 grams of more water.

Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread mixture - Your dough will look like this
Your dough will look like this

Strengthen your dough

  • Strengthen the dough. If you have a stand mixer you can use it until your dough is smooth.
  • To create strength, fold the dough into itself and press down repetitively. See below.
  • Additionally, you can use the scoop-and-slap method where you scoop under the dough and slap it against the bowl repetitively.
  • Perform this technique for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth. Cover it and let it rest for 60 minutes.
  • Perform 1-2 stretch and folds in 60-minute increments for optimal gluten development.
  • Place the Sourdough Sandwich Bread dough in a greased bowl (oil or butter), cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and allow it to sit at room temperature (68 degrees F) for 8-12 hours.

If using baker’s schedule option 2, after the dough has proofed it can be placed in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Once ready to be baked proceed to the shaping step.

kneaded sourdough sandwich bread
Your dough will look smooth with some lines

The next morning- Shape your dough

  • Check your dough to ensure it has increased in volume by 50%. If it needs to go longer, allow it to rest.
Shape your dough
  • Remove the dough from the bowl and let it rest on a lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes.
  • After it rests, shape your dough into a log. See detailed instructions below.
Log shaping
Log loaf

Video-How to shape your easy sourdough sandwich bread

Second Bulk Rise

  • After you shape your dough, place it in a generously buttered 9×5 loaf pan and cover it with oiled plastic wrap for the next 2-4 hours.
  • You’ll know the dough has finished rising once the center of it has risen about an inch or more above the pan. See below. (for a taller sandwich loaf, let it rise a few inches above the pan).
  • Keep in mind, this may take less or more than 2-4 hours depending on the temperature in your home. Let it rise to the instructed level for that desired oven spring.
risen sourdough loaf
The sourdough bread dough has risen 1 inch above the pan

Prepare to Bake

  • TIP: Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F for 20-30 minutes before you put the loaf in. This will help with a better oven spring.
  • When ready to bake, lower the temperature to 375 degrees F, place your loaf pan in the oven, and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Immediately coat the top with butter upon removing the pan from the oven. This will give the bread that beautiful, soft crust.
Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread buttered loaf
  • Allow the sourdough bread to sit in the pan for 5-10 minutes before removing it to a cooling rack. Let it rest for 1-2 hours before cutting into it.
sourdough sandwich bread
  • Easy Sourdough sandwich bread can be stored in a bread bag for up to 3 days on your counter.

Feel free to double the recipe and freeze a loaf!

Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread slices

More sourdough recipes:

sourdough sandwich loaf bread
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread

This easy sourdough sandwich bread recipe is uncomplicated and the result is always soft and delectable!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Proofing time14 hours
Keyword: sourdough sandwich bread
Servings: 1 9 inch loaf
Calories: 185kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×5 loaf pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Bench scraper
  • food scale or measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour 500 grams (if using bread flour add 15-20 grams more water)
  • 1 cup and 2.5 tablespoons lukewarm water 275 grams
  • 1/4 cup fed sourdough starter 50 grams
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt 9 grams
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 24 grams
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 28 grams

Instructions

Make the dough

  • Dissolve your sourdough starter and sugar in lukewarm water and mix using a fork. Add your flour, olive oil, and salt and mix by hand until all the flour has absorbed the water.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.

Strengthen the dough

  • Strengthen your dough by folding it into itself repetitively for 5-8 minutes.
  • Additionally, you can use the scoop-and-slap method where you scoop under the dough and slap it against the bowl repetitively.
  • Once the dough is smooth and the texture feels stronger. Place it in a greased bowl (oil or butter), cover it, and let it rest for 60 minutes.
  • Perform 1-2 stretch and folds within 60-minute increments for optimal gluten development.
  • If using baker's schedule option 2, after the dough has proofed it can be placed in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Once ready to be baked proceed to the shaping step.

The next morning-shape your dough

  • Ensure the dough has increased in volume by 50%.
  • Remove the dough from the bowl on a lightly floured surface. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes.
  • Gently spread the dough out and roll it starting from the bottom into a log shape.
  • Tighten the seams of the dough with your hand or bench scraper.
  • Place the dough in a butter-coated loaf pan and cover it with plastic wrap. Coat your plastic wrap with oil to avoid sticking.
  • Allow the dough to rest for 2-4 hours or more. The dough is ready to be baked once the center of the dough rises 1 inch above the loaf pan.

Prepare to bake

  • Optional: preheat your oven to 500 degrees F for 20-30 minutes as this will help with a better oven spring.
  • When ready to bake turn the oven to 375 degrees F, place your loaf pan in, and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Upon removing the sourdough sandwich bread from the oven generously coat it with butter immediately. This will help give it that soft, beautiful crust.
  • Let it rest for 5-10 minutes in the pan and then remove it to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into it (about 1-2 hours).
  • This bread can be stored in a bread bag for 3 days on your countertop. You can also double the recipe and freeze a loaf!
    Enjoy 🙂

Notes

Baker’s schedule option 1: Mix your dough the evening before to bake for the following mid-morning.
Baker’s schedule option 2: feed your starter in the evening, mix the dough the following morning, allow the dough to rise, and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Shape, proof, and bake the dough the following morning.
Bread flour: If using bread flour plan to add 15-20 grams of more water.
Proofing times: This is a 2-bulk rise recipe roughly 8-12 hours (bulk 1) and 2-4 hours (bulk 2) at 68 degrees F. The temperature of your home will make a difference in proofing time. If your home is warmer you may not need as much time. If your home is much cooler, try putting the bread in a warm place like an oven with the light on. The dough is ready once it has increased in volume by 50%. 
Sugar: the sugar in this recipe can be substituted with honey or maple syrup if desired. You can also add a bit more sugar for a less sour taste. 
Size of the sandwich loaf: For a taller sandwich loaf, let it rise a few inches above the pan before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 200mg
5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Comments

  1. I love this recipe! Tried and it is always a success!

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad you love it too😊

  2. Erin C. Avatar
    Erin C.

    This recipe is so simple that the even the beginner baker could make it and it would turn out lovely! It is so delicious and since I used a stone loaf pan and coated it generously with butter and then brushed the top with MORE melted butter, the sides and bottom have a light buttery crisp to them. The inside is so soft and chewy with a slight sourdough tang! Will be making this one every day! Thank you healing.slice for such a simple, yet delicious sourdough sandwich loaf recipe!5 stars

    1. Thank you Erin!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The extra butter adds a lovely texture !

  3. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Our favorite bread to make BLTs with! this bread is so delicious and we love adding a little maple syrup.5 stars

  4. Anthony Avatar
    Anthony

    Absolutely awesome recipe! The best, it was delicious and held up perfectly to cut and make sandwiches.

    1. Thank you for this lovely feedback Anthony! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe 🙂