Homemade Bread Bowl Recipe - Cooking With Karli (2024)

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Bread Bowl recipe is a quick and easy recipe to make bread bowls for your soup right at home! The crusty, chewy crust pairs perfectly with your favorite soup! Elevate soup night this fall by making these homemade Bread Bowls!

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Bread Soup Bowl

Have you had soup inside of a bread bowl before? If not, it is about time that you do!

Having soup in a bread bowl is probably one of my favorite fall time meals for multiple reasons. If eating that creamy soup soaked bowl very last isn’t enough of a reason, you don’t even have to wash any bowls! Yes, a dish-less meal is just as glorious as it sounds.

Creamy soups do really well inside of these bread bowls, I think Cheddar Broccoli soup might be my favorite.

This bread recipe is easy enough for extreme beginners to master on the first try! I will walk you through it all, step by step!

Let’s get to it!

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Homemade Bread Bowl ingredients

(Printable Recipe Below)

Bread Bowl recipe is a quick and easy recipe to make bread bowls for your soup right at home! The crusty, chewy crust pairs perfectly with your favorite soup! Elevate soup night this fall by making these homemade Bread Bowls!

  • 1 1/2 tbsp + 1/2 tsp sugar divided
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 1/4 tsp salt
  • 6 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tbsp quick rise yeast
  • 1/2 cup + 2 cups very warm water divided

How to make a Bread Bowl at home!

To make the bread bowls at home you’ll want to have a Stand Mixer. You could definitely make the dough by hand but I wouldn’t recommend it.

To speed up the rising process I always utilize my Instant Pot. This is not necessary, but I will share how to proof the dough both in the Instant Pot and traditionally.

The first thing you’ll do is mix together the yeast, warm water and sugar. The temperature of the water is important here. If it is too hot, it will kill the yeast and your bread will not rise. If it is too cold, the yeast won’t activate and the bread will not rise.

Let the water in your tap run and test the temperature on the inside of your wrist, it should feel warm but not hot.

Mix together the warm water, yeast and sugar and let it sit and proof for 10 minutes. If the yeast is bubbly by the end of the 10 minutes, you’ve done it! Your yeast is alive and kicking! If it still looks the exact same as it did 10 minutes ago, throw it out and try again.

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While the yeast is proofing, measure out the remaining ingredients (flour, water, sugar, salt and oil) and add them to the bowl of your stand mixer.

Add in the proofed yeast and mix slowly with the dough hook until completely mixed together.

Let the stand mixer knead for 5 minutes. The dough will be very sticky. That is normal and A-OKAY!

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If rising the dough traditionally, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes. At the end of 15 minutes, punch down the dough and knead a few times by hand. Repeat this 4 times.

So, you’ll let it rise for a total of 1 hour, punching down and kneading every 15 minutes.

If utilizing the amazing Instant Pot, you’ll grease the liner so the dough doesn’t stick and then turn on the Instant Pot’s Yogurt Normal setting. Let the dough rise for a total of 30 minutes, punching down and kneading the dough every 10 minutes.

After the rising process is complete, turn the dough out onto a floured surface.

Form the dough into a long log and cut into 6 or 8 equal pieces (depending on how many bowls you want!).

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Take each piece and shape into a ball. Place the dough balls onto a silicone baking mat lined cookie sheet and brush with egg whites.

At this time, preheat the oven and let the dough rise while the oven is preheating, about 15-20 minutes.

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To get that chewy crust we will be baking at two different temperatures. First, bake for 10 minutes at 450° and then without taking the bread out of the oven change the baking temperature to 375° and bake for the remaining 20 minutes.

Let the bread bowls cool a bit (or all the way!) before cutting the tops off, scooping out as much bread as desired (dip those pieces into your soup!!) and filling it with your absolute favorite soup.

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Tips for making this Bread Bowl Recipe

  • Make sure your water temperature is correct! We are looking for 100°-110° F. Too hot of water will kill your yeast, and too cold of water will make it hard for your yeast to grow.
  • Proof your yeast first to make sure it’s alive and kicking before making the bread dough .(see instructions for exact steps on how to do this)
  • Use a stand mixer and let it do all of the work.
  • The Dough will be sticky, Sticky dough means you’ll have soft, tender bread.
  • Don’t rush the rising process!
  • Brush with an egg wash to get that shiny golden crust.

Favorite Soups to serve in Homemade Bread Bowls

  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Tomato Tortellini Soup
  • Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Bread Bowl Recipe FAQs

Do I need any special equipment to make homemade bread bowls?

I would suggest having a stand mixer of some sort, whether that is a Kitchenaid mixer or a Bosch mixer.

What type of flour is best when making a bread soup bowl?

I like using all purpose flour because it is what I have on hand.

How do I keep my bread bowl fresh when storing?

They are best served and eaten immediately. If you want to bake ahead of time, allow the bread bowls to cool completely and then immediately store in the freezer.

Can you freeze a homemade bread bowl?

Yes, you can freeze a homemade bread bowl. However, it’s important to wrap it properly to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality.
To freeze a bread bowl, first, make sure it has completely cooled down to room temperature. Then, wrap the bread bowl tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If you have a large freezer-safe plastic bag, you can also use that to store the bread bowl. Make sure to press out any excess air from the bag to prevent freezer burn.
When you’re ready to use the bread bowl, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature. Once it has thawed, you can reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes to freshen it up.

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5 from 6 votes

Bread Bowl Recipe

By: Karli Bitner

Bread Bowl recipe is a quick and easy recipe to make bread bowls for your soup right at home! The crusty, chewy crust pairs perfectly with your favorite soup! Elevate soup night this fall by making these homemade Bread Bowls!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Baking Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 bowls

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbsp quick rise yeast
  • 1/2 cup + 2 cups very warm water divided
  • 1 1/2 tbsp + 1/2 tsp sugar divided
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 1/4 tsp salt
  • 6 cups flour

Instructions

  • Combine 1/2 cup of warm water, the yeast and 1/2 tsp sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until nice and bubbly.

  • Add the bubbly yeast and all other ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, combine the ingredients. Once ‘dough’ has formed, turn the mixer’s speed up a little and let the mixer knead for 5 minutes. The dough will be very sticky.

  • If rising traditionally, let the dough rise covered for a total of 1 hour, punching down the dough every 15 minutes.

  • If utilizing the Instant Pot, Pour 1 Tbsp of oil into the instant pot. Place the dough into the Instant Pot and push the yogurt button, adjust it to the normal setting. Roll the dough in oil so it will not stick.

  • The dough will now rise for 30 minutes. Punch down the dough every 10 minutes. At the 30 minute mark, turn the dough out onto a floured surface.

  • Divide the dough into 6-8 equal sections. Roll each section into a large ball and arrange on a silicone lined baking sheet. You may do an egg white wash at this point if desired.

  • Preheat the oven to 455°. Let the dough balls rise while the oven is preheating.

  • Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Without taking the bread out, turn the oven down to 375° and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

  • Remove from oven and let cool before cutting the tops of the bread bowl off, removing the inside of the bread and filling with soup.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Homemade Bread Bowl Recipe - Cooking With Karli (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making homemade bread? ›

12 tips for making perfect bread
  1. Use the right yeast. ...
  2. Store your yeast properly. ...
  3. Treat salt with care. ...
  4. Take your time. ...
  5. Try different flours. ...
  6. Consider vitamin C. ...
  7. Practice makes perfect. ...
  8. Don't prove for too long.

How do bread bowls not get soggy? ›

An issue that a home cook may encounter is bread bowls becoming too soggy too quickly. To avoid this sad fate, toasting your bread bowl is an easy preventative measure. Above all, a bread bowl's main job is to hold its soupy contents.

Does dough rise better in metal or plastic? ›

Allow dough to rise in a metal or glass bowl. They retain heat better than plastic bowls and you'll get a better rise. You can also run the bowl you're using under some hot water (and then dry it, then spray it with non-stick cooking spray for easy cleanup) before adding the dough so it will be nice and warm.

What are the four main ingredients in bread? ›

In addition to the four main ingredients used to make bread – flour, salt, yeast and water – there are often small quantities of other ingredients which are added to improve the texture, crumb structure and keeping properties of the bread. All ingredients in bread will be clearly listed on the wrapper.

What can I add to homemade bread to make it taste better? ›

There are all kinds of ways to take your average bread dough to new places. Make it more flavorful and sticky with sugar, or soften it up with some dry milk powder. Here's how to arm your pantry with bread boosters. Sweeteners such as malt and honey are used to add flavor to bread dough.

What is the best flour for bread? ›

While bread flour is the best option, it can sometimes be used if you don't have bread flour. “Check the protein content,” advises Chef Jürgen, since it can vary from brand to brand, and an all-purpose flour that contains protein on the higher end of the range, 12 to 13 percent, will produce a better outcome.

Why do bakers not like bread bowls? ›

The joke of the video is that bakers get emotional seeing their works of art, their loaves of bread, get turned into a bowl. That's because when it's turned into a bowl, much of the dough is carved out and discarded, which is just a waste of food. Not only should bakers hate it, but we all should!

What do you do with the inside of a bread bowl? ›

For serving, cut a large round out of the top of each bread bowl. Scoop out the center (save the center to dunk into soup!) and fill with soup.

What is the best bowl to make bread in? ›

Wooden bowls have always been the preferred choice for bread-making because the heat generated by the yeast is retained in the wood, giving the dough an even rise—and because the bowl's high sides protect the dough from drafts.

Does sugar make dough rise better? ›

The more sugar in yeast dough, the more slowly it will rise. Remember, sugar is hygroscopic. And in yeast dough, this means it can deprive yeast of the moisture it needs to grow.

How to activate yeast? ›

How to activate yeast: A quick guide
  1. Get yourself some dry yeast.
  2. Fill something with warm water (100–110ºF/38–43ºC). ...
  3. Add a pinch of sugar to the water. ...
  4. Put your yeast in the warm sugar water and leave it for 10–15 minutes. ...
  5. Add your now-activated yeast solution to your other ingredients.
Jul 27, 2021

What is E471 in bread? ›

Emulsifiers in bread:

Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471): often derived from plant oils or animal fats, E471 may have some negative health effects, including an increased risk of heart disease and weight gain. Furthermore, their production contributes to deforestation and habitat loss.

Which is the strongest flour? ›

Bread Flour: With a protein content of 12 to 14 percent, bread flour is the strongest of all flours, providing the most structural support. This is especially important in yeasted breads, where a strong gluten network is required to contain the CO2 gases produced during fermentation.

What is E300 in bread? ›

The most common additive for flour is E300 (ascorbic acid, or vitamin C). This is used because it helps achieve a consistent rise in bread; and so is normally added only to specific breadmaking flours supplied to commercial bakeries. Also permitted is E920 (L cysteine hydrochloride).

What makes homemade bread light and fluffy? ›

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

What not to do when making bread? ›

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
  1. Failing to Weigh Your Ingredients Accurately. ...
  2. Mistakenly Adding Salt DIRECTLY on top of Yeast. ...
  3. Incorrectly Adding Too Much Liquid. ...
  4. Not Covering Up Your Dough At All Stages of Breadmaking. ...
  5. Inadequately Proofing Your Dough. ...
  6. Failure to Create Steam in the Oven. ...
  7. Don't Let the Heat Escape During Baking.
Jan 16, 2020

What is the secret to success when making quick breads? ›

Tip 1: Follow the Recipe Closely. The first and most important tip to making a successful quick bread is to follow the recipe closely. Quick bread recipes are generally very precise, and even small deviations from the recipe can cause your bread to turn out differently than you intended.

Is there a trick to slicing homemade bread? ›

To prevent squishing a fluffy, fresh loaf of bread, flip the loaf upside down before you cut into it. The theory is simple: Slicing through the tougher, sturdier heel of the bread first makes it a lot easier to maintain its shape; you pierce through the hard part and then glide through the rest like butter.

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