Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread baking in your kitchen — especially when it’s ready in just one hour! This One Hour Bread recipe is perfect for busy days when you want homemade goodness without the long wait.
With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a warm, soft loaf on the table in no time.
Love baking? Check out our homemade bread recipes for more delicious ideas to try next!
Whether you’re making sandwiches, pairing it with soup, or just slathering on some butter, this quick bread is a must-try.

Is 1 hour enough for bread dough to rise?
Yes! The key to getting bread on the table in an hour? Instant yeast and warm water.
Unlike active dry yeast, instant yeast gets straight to work, meaning there’s no need to proof it in water first. Warm water helps activate the yeast, but if it’s too hot, it’ll do the opposite and kill it.
The sweet spot is between 100-110°— warm to the touch but not scorching. If you don’t have a thermometer, aim for water that feels like a cozy bath, not a sauna.
In a large mixing bowl mix the dry ingredients: flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Give it a quick stir, then slowly pour in the warm water and olive oil, mixing as you go until a dough starts to come together.
Want to make it your own? Toss in some garlic powder, dried rosemary, shredded cheese, or even a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning before kneading. This is your bread—have fun with it!
Dust your work surface with a little flour, press the dough down and away from you with the heel of your hand, then fold it over and repeat. Keep going for about five minutes, or until the consistency of the dough is smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour, but don’t overdo it—you want it soft, not stiff.

Cover the dough with a large dish towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes in a warm spot. If your kitchen is chilly, try these tricks to speed things up:
- Preheat your oven to 200°F for a couple of minutes, then turn it off and place your covered dough inside.
- Set the bowl near a sunny window or on top of the fridge, where warmth naturally collects.
Once your dough has risen, shape it into a loaf (or buttery rolls, if you’re feeling creative) and place it on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Here’s how to know it’s done: tap the bottom—if it sounds hollow, it’s ready! If not, give it another couple of minutes.
Give the bread a few minutes to cool. This helps the texture set, making it easier to cut. Use a serrated knife to cut your loaf of bread.

- Nothing pairs better with warm, homemade bread than a cozy bowl of soup — check out our favorite soup recipes to complete your meal!
- If you’ve ever wanted to try making sourdough but didn’t know where to start, our Beginners Guide to Sourdough Bread will walk you through every step!
- Having trouble with your bread? Our Baking Troubleshooting Guide has all the tips you need to fix common baking mistakes.
- Light, fluffy, and full of flavor — sourdough biscuits and sourdough pancakes are a tasty way to use up your sourdough starter!
- Turn your homemade bread into the ultimate breakfast treat with these delicious French toast recipes!















One Hour Bread Recipe
Bake a loaf of fresh bread in just an hour! Quick, simple, and packed with flavor—this recipe will be your new go-to for homemade bread.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Gradually add the cup of water and olive oil to the flour mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Make sure your water is warm but not too hot, as hot water can kill the yeast.
- If you don't have olive oil, you can use melted butter or vegetable oil as a substitute.
- Feel free to customize the bread by adding your favorite herbs, spices, or even cheese to the dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Shape loaves and place it on a greased baking sheet.
- Experiment with different shapes and sizes for your bread loaf to create variety in your baking.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom. - Let the bread cool slightly on a cooling rack before slicing with a sharp knife and serving.
- Don't skip the resting time after baking—the bread needs a few minutes to cool and set before slicing
Notes
- Always start with fresh yeast. You will know the yeast is working when it starts to form a creamy foam on top.
- Wrap leftover bread in plastic wrap or in a ziplock bag and keep at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- If you’d like to freeze your bread, wrap it in tin foil and then plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Mary
Wednesday 11th of December 2024
Excellent bread recipe. Easy and very tasty. My husband enjoyed it too.
Kim
Tuesday 25th of July 2023
Love homemade bread this is great
Laura
Friday 4th of February 2022
Very easy and absolutely delicious! It's been added to my SAVE recipes and I will be making it again!
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