Since you’re on this page, we can agree that nothing tastes more homey that a loaf of delicious freshly baked bread.
The days of manually kneading dough and closely watching over the bread in the oven are long past us thanks to the invention of the bread maker.
These small kitchen appliances do all the hard work associated to bread making instead of you. Our experts have reviewed the best options for bread makers on the market today. in order to help you choose the one bread maker that suits your needs best.
When it comes to bread makers choosing the right one is not as simple as it seems. Specific baking methods and preferences require specific baking tools.
To know these details, one has to know quite a bit about baking, but we are aware that most of customers are only beginners in the baking world. That’s why we have engaged our professional experts of the area to provide the best advice in regards to the bread baking appliances.
Once you are in the market looking around for the perfect bread maker that fits your needs, there are some questions you should asks yourself in the selection process.
What is the bread size that the appliance can produce? – These usually produce 1-pound, 1. 5- Pound, 2- pound, 2. 5-pound, and 3- pound loaves. A 2- pound loaf should be enough for a family of 4.
What is the bread shape they can produce? – They can produce all types of bread shapes, so it is up to you to choose your preferred shape.
What about the bread pan? What should we know about it? – Most baking devices come with a removable pan. We should mention that there still are some devices that are not provided with a removable pan. Our experts strongly suggest you go for the type that has a removable pan. This element makes it easier for you to clean the appliance once the baking process is completed.
What about the material type of the bread pan? – We need to be careful to choose the pan with a non- sticky coat so that will prevent the bread from sticking to the surface of the pan. Another element to be taken into consideration is the fact that aluminum material produces a crust that is lighter in color and thinner as well. While thick cast aluminum will produce a darker and thicker crust.
After considering the details above, we need to emphasize the fact that our experts have tested a wide selection of bread makers and rounded up the 10 best options for you.
10 Best Bread Makers
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Types of Bread and Related Health Benefits
Ask anyone on a diet, or who has been on a diet about a food they gave up, and 99% will say bread.
That’s actually giving the humble loaf of bread a bad rap, and nowadays there is a new understanding of how bread can be healthy and good for you. It has to be the right bread, of course.
Mass manufactured white bread is consistent in color, size, and taste, and also includes flour that has been extremely processed, and has lots of added sugar.
Many people are turning to making their own bread, and discovering that as well as being healthy and nutritious, it can be almost a delicacy too.
In this article we’re going to look at some of the healthy bread options, you can make yourself. First, let’s start with the oddly named Ezekiel bread.
Ezekiel
The name comes from a passage in the Bible, in the book of Ezekiel, which talks about making bread using a mixture of four grains and two legumes. Nowadays, the recipe for Ezekiel bread relies on wheat, millet, barley, spelt, soybeans, and lentils. What makes this bread different from the others is that the grain and legumes are allowed to sprout. That means the process of germination has just started before they are milled into flour. We could get very technical about the benefits of using sprouted flour by talking about enzymes and amino acids, but basically, it just means the grains have more nutrients, and less of harmful anti-nutrients. Ezekiel bread is healthier than 99% of other breads, but if you have a gluten allergy, it is not the answer, as it still contains wheat.
Nowadays, more and more people are turning to a vegetarian, or vegan diet. That can be great for many, but if you don’t eat oily fish or fish oil, your diet can lack the essential omega-3 fatty acids. That’s where flaxseed comes in, as it is an abundant source of omega-3, and can make a delicious bread.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed bread is incredibly low in calories as well as carbs and sodium and is gluten-free. So, it ticks all the right boxes for people who are on a strict diet or have allergies, and it’s tasty too. Flaxseeds have been cultivated for thousands of years and have been described as the world’s first superfood.
Rye
Okay, so you like the idea of having a sandwich for lunch, and can’t decide what bread to have. Well, nutritionists tell us that if you’re after something delicious and filling that will stave away the pangs of hunger longer, then rye bread is the answer.
Oat
For centuries the Scots have known about the value of eating oats. Filling and nutritious porridge is the national breakfast in Scotland. Oat bread has some of the same attributes and has long been touted as one of the healthiest sources of healthy carbohydrates.
It takes a body a long time to digest oats, so it makes one feel fuller for longer.
This is partly down to the grain having a high level of cholesterol-lowering fiber called beta-glucan. This fiber has been shown to possibly reduce certain cancers and help control diabetes, digestive problems, and heart disease.
Compared to wheat, oats have twice as much protein which is ideal if you are trying to build or repair muscle. Most people say the taste of oat bread compared to wheat is very similar, but the health benefits are so much greater.
Brown Rice
If you are a vegan, or need something gluten-free, and don’t fancy flaxseed bread, how about another tasty alternative, Brown Rice bread. If you like to bake bread at home and are used to making bread with wheat flour, then you can just substitute brown rice flour in your recipes.
There are some distinct advantages of using brown rice flour over regular flour. For one, it has fewer calories and more amino acids, which helps you with a balanced diet. When cooking, because rice flour soaks up more water, your bread will be fluffier than if you use wheat flour. That makes the bread more chewable, and in turn that will help you satisfy your hunger and stop you overeating.
Sourdough
And finally, to our last healthy bread option, we come to one of the oldest recipes for bread: sourdough. Lots of people say they can digest sourdough bread easier than regular bread, and that’s all down to the science in the stomach.
Sourdough lacks an acid which stops enzymes working in the stomach, so when you eat sourdough bread, those enzymes can get to work. Sourdough bread is made from just flour, water, and salt. How sourdough bread is made has not changed a great deal since it began in Ancient Egypt at around 1500BC.
The health benefits though are still there. Because the bacteria and yeast in the sourdough predigest the starches in the bread it makes it easier for us to digest. Also, the longer proving and preparation time means the gluten has been turned into amino acids, again making it easier to digest.
That process also creates its own natural preservative to help the bread last longer. Some studies show sourdough bread also reduces blood glucose levels. Sourdough bread also tastes awesome.
Criteria of Evaluation
Material Quality
When it comes to kitchen appliances, you must be very careful about the material they’re made of. A higher quality material means durability, better performance and greater safety.
All the bread makers in our guide are tested and meet the North American Electric Standards for appliances. Most of them also come with a non-stick coat to prevent the bread from sticking to the baking pan.
Most of these devices are made from aluminum or plastic. With the information we gained from our research and testing, we recommend the aluminum option over plastic. Aluminum is much more durable and generally safer than plastic.
If you go for aluminum material, you can expect to get a lightweight appliance that will bake a lighter-colored crust. Thick-cast aluminum will be a little heavier for handling, but it will give you that darker and crunchier crust.
Performance
When it comes to performance, users love having an appliance that does most of the work for them. The newer models of bread makers are designed to deliver exactly that.
Their sophisticated features cover everything from kneading the dough, to baking different kinds of pastry at an adequate temperature, and once the baking process is over they shut off automatically to prevent the bread from overbaking or burning. All you need to do is just add the ingredients, choose your preferred baking option and you’re good to go.
Another great feature of these appliances is the quick bake option. The quick bake option allows you to enjoy delicious fresh bread after only an hour of baking. Specifically, the Oster 2 Pound Express Bake Bread Machine has an “Expressbake” setting that excels in baking scrumptious pastry in just one hour.
Inspired by the rising demand of gluten-free products, some manufacturers took a step forward and designed bread makers with gluten-free baking features.
The Zojirushi BB- PAC20 is a great example of this type. It can produce up to 2 pounds of bread of your preference. This ultra-modern appliance can deliver great pastry, even without the regular ingredients typically needed to bake bread.
Ease of Use
The main reason for buying a bread maker is to take away all the hard work associated with traditional bread baking.
Another important aspect of owning this appliance is the freedom to choose the ingredients you want in your home-made bread. This is especially crucial for people with wheat and gluten allergies.
The Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker allows the user to simply add the ingredients, close the lid and press start. This practical machine is ideal for anyone who has beginner baking skills. It also comes with a LED display and touches control panel for easy settings management.
Pre-programmed options are available on most models. These controls give you the convenience of baking different types of pastry with the push of a button. The Cuisinart CBK- 200 2- LB Convection Bread Maker offers 16 presets that are tailored to any user’s desired preferences.
The audible tones indicate when you should add mix-ins and there is also a power failure backup. Not to mention, this appliance can make more than just bread. You have options to create over 100 different breads, jams, dough and sweet cake combinations.
Yeast and bread making go hand in hand. However, the process of getting the yeast just right proves to be troublesome for novice bakers.
The Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic model is the solution to this problem. With its yeast dispenser, it automatically releases the yeast into the dough without the need for you to do anything, but simply add it to the machine. Your bread will rise perfectly every time.
Speaking of fully automatic appliances, the Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker knows exactly when to release the ingredients, so they are properly distributed into the dough.
Care and Maintenance
Just as with any appliance, the better you take care of your appliance, the longer it will last. It is important that you clean the parts that are used regularly so that they won’t get dough build-ups.
The Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker has a non-stick inner bake pan and a built-in handle, making this device easy to clean.
Many models like the Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker come with bread pans that are removable make it simple for you to clean them outside of the appliance. Removable bread pans are ideal because they make cleaning and maintenance much easier for the user. There are still a few options that do not come with one, so pay attention to choosing a device that does.
It is important to note that this particular appliance should be hand-washed only.
A specific washing routine should be considered for the Cuisinart CBK- 200 2- LB Convection Breadmaker and the Zojirushi bread maker.
Although both are relatively easy to clean, you should be careful when removing the pans and try not to scratch the inner coatings. Both come with cool stay handles that prevent you from burning yourself while removing the pan fresh from the heated appliance.
FAQs
Q. Why should I get a bread maker?
Bread makers bring the complex bread baking process to everyday household kitchens. There is also a multitude of bread makers to fit the individual needs of every type of family. They have been designed to make it easy to bake bread without needing to be a baking expert.
The Cuisinart CBK Bread Maker was specifically manufactured as a simple device that works with the push of a button. The full set of features is organized in a user-friendly way, so there is no confusion when starting the baking process.
Q. What size of bread can you make?
Bread makers have the ability to make all the different types and sizes of bread that you can think of. For larger families, the best option would most likely be the Oster 2 Pound Express Bake Bread Machine. It has a large capacity as well as 12 different programmed features.
Most of the machines can typically make anywhere between 1 to 2 pounds of bread at a time. The Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker and the Zojirushi BB- PAC20 both provide these features.
Q. What other shapes can a bread maker create?
There are no limits to the types and shapes of bread you can get with a bread maker. The Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic Bread Maker with Yeast Dispenser gives you three different loaf size options, as well as a variety of pre-programmed settings for white, whole wheat, multigrain, French bread, and cakes.
Q. Am I required to knead the dough before placing it in the machine?
No, not at all. In most bread makers, you simply add the ingredients of your desired recipe and let the machine do its work. The Hamilton Beach Programmable Bread Machine was designed to be fully equipped to handle any process related to baking. Thus, any user can easily make bread without worrying they will do something wrong.
The BB- PAC20 by Zojirushi comes with dual kneading blades that do all the heavy kneading work for you.
Q. Can a bread maker deliver different crust types?
Yes. All reliable bread makers have the option to create up to three different crust types. Machines offer you the choice of either light, medium, or dark crust. The Hamilton Beach Programmable Bread Machine in particular makes it very easy for a user to choose this option based on personal preference. With these different options available to you, you can create all kinds of crust textures.
Q. Is there a bread maker that can make gluten-free preferences?
Yes. Manufacturers understand that gluten allergies are a big deal when it comes to consumers. This is why many machines were specifically designed to meet this demand for healthier and more convenient ways of baking. A lot of them come with different programs and features, in which gluten-free is one of them.
The Cuisinart CBK- 200 2- LB Convection Bread Maker comes tailored with options that include gluten-free, low carb or even Artisan bread. Owning your bread maker puts you in the driver’s seat of creating your own home-made bread with any ingredients that you wish.
Q. Is it difficult to use a bread maker?
Anyone who has attempted baking knows that the most difficult process is getting the yeast just right. With this appliance, this complex process is eliminated. The Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker has a dispenser for you to place the yeast into.
The machine will then automatically add the yeast at the optimum time to ensure the perfect baked bread every time. You can forget about the days of having to place the yeast in the perfect temperature.
This is quite the breakthrough because before, many novice bakers would steer clear from baking loafs of bread due to this factor alone. It is much too complicated to have to deal with such a complex procedure. Luckily now, it is no longer an issue.
The Zojirushi option has a unique design where all you need to do is add the ingredients, program it and let it do its work. You can even leave the home as it comes with an automatic shut-off system to keep your home safe from any risk of burns or fires.
Q. What ingredients do I need to use in a bread maker?
It all depends on the recipe that you wish to use. All bread makers come with a general recipe book, but you can always research online to find the recipe that fits your needs and taste best. Of course, the typical ingredients include flour, butter, salt, baking powder, wheat, and yeast.
For those who want a better option, you can easily change up the recipe to fit your lifestyle. That is the nice thing about owning a bread maker. You get to pick the ingredients according to your personal preference and avoid applicable allergies.
There are even options to add fun ingredients such as fruits and nuts. The Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker has a specific dispenser for fruits and nuts to be added while the machine is in use.
Q. Is a bread maker easy to clean?
Considering you would be using the right ingredients for every machine, cleaning is very simple. Once the bread is baked it simply comes right out of the machine and all you would need to do is wipe it down clean.
Of course, it is recommended that you sanitize it on a regular basis. Depending on how often you use the machine, you should do this at least once a week.
If you are looking for the easiest machine to clean, your best option is to always go with stainless steel material. Plus, the stainless steel will look nice and decorative on your countertop. Of all machines reviewed, the Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Breadmaker is the pick in this case.
Q. Is a bread maker easy to store away in a kitchen?
Although the machines tend to look a little bulkier than average small appliances, they were all designed to be used in a household kitchen. Specifically, the Zojirushi and Hamilton brands boast lower profiles to fit underneath top cabinets or to be easily stored inside standard-sized cabinets.
Both brands are about 13 inches or less in height and are not that wide, so counter space will not be an issue. Consumers like this option when it comes to purchasing small appliances for the kitchen.
To be taken into consideration…
These ten best appliances have been selected considering the major segments of customer requirements. It means that one of these top 10 selected appliances is the one that meets your requested criteria.
It is important to read carefully and understand each of the options before choosing the one that fits your needs.
For instance, if appearance is important to you, you need to pay attention to whether the appliance fits your kitchen style or not. If you are focused on the size of the bread, then you can find the appropriate device in this list tailored for you.
Last, but not least each of these ten devices has been carefully tested and selected by our best experts in the area. Thus, quality is not a matter of discussion!