AN EASY SOURDOUGH MULTIGRAIN BREAD WITH A CRUSTY SEEDED OUTSIDE
Make an Easy Sourdough Multigrain Bread with Seeds
The beautiful thing is that when you have mastered my easy no knead sourdough bread you are ready to start experimenting with flavors, textures, flours, mix-ins, etc. That’s when bread baking gets really exciting! For instance, developing your own delicious versions like this sourdough multigrain bread with seeds, another easy no knead recipe. Don’t have a sourdough starter, yet? What are you waiting for? Order The Sourdough Tutor e-book and download today to develop your starter and bake your first bread.
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Why Add Seeds to Sourdough Multigrain Bread?
For three reasons.
One: Seeds = Flavor. By adding seeds to the exterior of your bread, you create a burst of earthy flavor to your crust.
Two: Seeds = Texture. By adding seeds to the exterior of the bread, you create a crunchy, firm crust.
Three: Seeds = Nutrition. By adding seeds to your bread, you increase nutritional value and health benefits.
What Kind of Seeds Should I Use to Create Sourdough Multigrain Bread?
In the recipe below, I recommend using Flax, Poppy, Sesame and Chia, as that’s what I tested. I know this combination creates a lovely, earthy flavored bread. However, you can use any combination of seeds you may have in your pantry. Even larger seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, etc. work well in this application. So, just grab and use whatever edible seeds you have on hand, there are many possibilities and combinations. Or try any everything bagel seasoning, then you’ll have lots of flavor without having to mix your own!
Sharing is Caring
One of the greatest things about experimenting often is that you always have lovely bread to share. So, consider baking two, one to keep and one to give to a neighbor, a friend or a coworker. Help me achieve my vision of Great Bread for All! As always, if you do try one of my recipes, please snap a photo and share it on FB, IG or Twitter and tag @christinasbreadbakes. I love to see your creations. Happy baking, Bread Bakers!
Sourdough Multigrain Bread with Seeded Crust
Equipment
- 4 Liter food container (or bowl)
- Cover for container (or plastic wrap)
- Digital Metric Scale
- Bowl scraper
- Banneton (or other proofing dish)
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 100 grams Sourdough Starter 50% hydration
- 400 grams Warm Tap Water
- 375 grams White Bread Flour
- 25 grams Rye Flour
- 100 grams Whole Wheat Flour
- 11 grams Sea Salt
- 2 tsp Poppy Seeds
- 2 tsp Sesame Seeds
- 2 tsp Flax Seeds
- 2 tsp Chia Seeds
Instructions
- Measuring & Mixing
- Using a digital scale set to metric, measure 100g sourdough starter into a minimum 3 liter food grade container or large bowl.
- Using a scale, measure 400 g warm (not hot) water. Add water to starter. Mix well to create a milky slurry.
- Using a scale, measure flours. In a separate bowl, mix flours together. Then add flours to the slurry. Mix until no dry flour remains.
- Cover container tightly, set aside to rest for 20-30 minutes so flour will autolyze.
- Using a scale, measure 11 grams of sea salt. Sprinkle sea salt over the autolyzed flour and water mixture.
- Cut through the mixture three times by squeezing two fingertips together (like you are forming the "okay" symbol). Next, grab a small portion of dough from one side and pull dough up, then fold the dough down over itself. Be careful not to pull too much as dough will tear. Rotate the container a quarter turn and repeat. Do this a total of four times. After the final fold flip the dough over so folds are tucked below dough mass. HINT! Wet hands slightly before you work the dough. This is a sticky mess, so do your best and don't worry, as the dough will come together over the next few folds.
- Replace the cover and allow dough mixture to rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, measure and mix seeds together, set aside.
- Folding
- This recipe requires four folds over the next 2-3 hours. After the 10 minute rest, perform the first fold.
- Remove cover. Pull a small portion of dough from the outside of the dough mixture and stretch dough up (being careful not to tear it) and fold it down over itself. Do this a total of eight times while turning the container clockwise (no cutting this time). After the final fold, turn the dough over in the container so folds are tucked below the dough mass.HINT! When pulling and stretching, be careful not to tear the dough. It will not stretch very far during the first fold, but do not worry, you will do this three more times, each time the dough will stretch further. This process produces a loose round that tightens with each additional fold
- Replace cover and allow dough to relax 30 minutes.
- Remove cover. The dough will have relaxed. Perform the second fold. Pull a small portion of dough from the outside of the dough mixture and stretch dough up (being careful not to tear it) and fold it down over itself. Do this eight times while turning the container clockwise after each stretch and fold. After the final fold, turn the dough over in the container so folds are tucked under creating a round shape. Repeat this process two more times at 30 minute intervals.
- Bulk Fermentation (First Rise)
- After the fourth fold, cover the dough, allow it to complete the first rise in a warm place. Be patient! This will take between 4-8 hours depending on the temperature where dough rests and how active is your starter. Dough must double in size before moving on to the next step!HINT: Using a clear container allows you to easily see the progression of the rise. After the fourth fold, mark the container at the point where the doubled bread will rise; I use either a marker or an elastic around the container to indicate this point.
- Shaping
- When dough has doubled in size it will be lofty with good structure, bubbles on top and inside. Flour a work surface.
- Prepare the banneton (if using) by sprinkling the bottom with the seeds mix. Set aside.
- Turn dough out carefully onto a floured work surface so as not to lose too much of the gas structure. Use the bowl scraper to coax the sticky dough out of the container. Set container aside.
- Pull each of the four corners of the dough towards the center to form a loose ball.
- Flip the dough ball over so the folds are now on the bottom.
- Cup hands around the rear of the round shape and drag the dough towards you on the work surface. Turn the dough a quarter of a turn. Gently pick the dough up and place it further away from you again. Repeat four times or as many times as it takes to create a tightly rounded dough ball.HINT: You will need a little friction to drag the dough ball to tighten it into a round. If there is no friction, clear the work surface of the majority of flour and try again.
- Once you have a tight dough ball, flour the top of the dough ball. Pick it up by gently sliding cupped hands under either side of the ball.
- Lay the ball into the banneton on top of the seeds. Turn the ball around to cover the bottom evenly with seeds. Cover the banneton with plastic wrap, a plastic bag, or a linen towel.
- Proofing (Second Rise)
- Set the banneton in a warm place to proof. Allow the dough ball to rise until it has relaxed and doubled in size. This may take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the room temperature. HINT: Or place the bread to proof in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours or overnight creating more sour flavor).
- Baking
- Approximately 45 minutes prior to the second rise being complete, place your Dutch oven onto the middle rack of your oven. Set oven temp to 475 F degrees. Set timer for 45 minutes.
- When timer buzzes, check if your dough has doubled and is ready to be baked.
- Pull preheated Dutch oven from the oven and place on a heat resistant surface. Caution! It will be very hot. Remove the lid and set it aside.
- Uncover the dough. Reach your fingers under the formed dough to gently loosen its grip on the Banneton or dish towel. Slightly tip the banneton sideways allowing the dough ball to gently flip upside down into the preheated pan (resulting in the previously folded side facing up). Cover the pan with the lid and return to the oven.
- Bake at 475 F degrees for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the Dutch oven. Bake at 475 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes.HINT: The darker the outside caramelization is on the crust, the more flavor your bread will have. I personally like to bake this bread to a very rich dark brown to achieve a crunchy exterior and toast the seeds.
- Remove the Dutch oven and set on a heat proof surface.
- Cooling
- Immediately remove the bread from the Dutch oven after baking has finished. Set bread on a cooling rack to allow air flow around the bread.
- Listen to the symphony of crackling as the crust begins to cool.
- Allow to cool at least 15 minutes, preferably 30 minutes, before slicing.
- Storing
- If you do not use this bread immediately, it can be stored in the open air for 8 hours, or even overnight, as long as it is not cut.
- Once the bread has been cut, allow it to cool completely. Store cut side down on a cutting board for up to one day.
- After that time, slice the remaining bread, place slices in an airtight bag, and freeze the slices. Warm each slice in a toaster before eating.
I think when most people think of No. Knead it means very little handling to develop gluten. I don;t see how this recipe is NO KNEAD . Stretch & folds ARE a type of kneading. Otherwise, recipe looks great.
Stevie – No knead, in the sense that you are not kneading for 20 minutes on a counter (or using a machine in lieu of hand kneading). Yes, stretch and fold develops gluten, so in that sense it could be considered a type of “kneading.” Thank you!
Such a useful post! Really liked all the process images – that was a huge help
Hi Rosanna – I am happy you liked all the process images, my site is designed for the beginner bread baker to find success!
yes to no knead bread all day!! love all the seeds in this loaf too!
Hi Nancy – Thanks for visiting, I am glad you liked the addition of the seeds!
I passed this recipe onto my grandmother who has a sourdough starter and she loved it. She said it was easy to make and loved the addition of seeds to the top. Granny says “well done!”
Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for passing this along. P.S., I think your Gran & I would get along well! 🙂
Christina, you are so good at your crafts; I wish I could bake bread as good as you. Everything you bake is incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us!
Hello Colette – Thank you! I am rather obsessed by it, so passion & practice = lovely bread. I am happy to share some of my obsession with you all here!