Learn how to make this light and fluffy sourdough multigrain bread recipe. This perfect sandwich bread is full of a variety of grains and lends itself to a slight nutty flavor.

loaf of multigrain sourdough bread in a loaf pan on a white countertop with a white towel to the right

There is nothing quite like a loaf of delicious sourdough bread. And this wholesome recipe is nourishing and filling.

This is a take on my sourdough sandwich bread, but with the added benefit of whole grains.

The recipe uses a combination of all-purpose flour and multigrain cereal. I find that the combination of the two adds an extra flavor and texture to the bread that you just can’t get from using one alone.

The bread is also surprisingly mild and has a hint of sweetness, yet still has the same soft texture of a traditional sandwich loaf. The end result is a comforting, satisfying, and unique loaf that you and your family will love.

Made with simple ingredients, this hearty multigrain sourdough bread recipe makes a lovely sandwich, side, or toast for morning eggs.

overhead photo of a loaf of multigrain sourdough bread sliced on a cutting board

Health Benefits Of Sourdough

Fermenting grains increases the nutritional content of the grain. The fermentation process activates enzymes, which can make the nutrients in the grains more absorbable to us. It can also reduce the amount of antinutrients in the grains, such as lectins, which can otherwise block the absorption of vital nutrients.

This makes it possible for our bodies to derive even more nutrition from each bite of grain-based foods. Plus, it lowers the gluten content and increases digestibility.

In addition to the health benefits, fermenting grains also adds a unique flavor and texture to your food, making it more interesting and enjoyable.

loaf of soft multigrain sourdough bread topped with oats in a loaf pan on a white countertop

Multigrain Sourdough Break Making Tips:

  • Double this recipe to make two loaves.
  • While multigrain cereal is used to make this recipe for ease. Feel free to experiment with different types of grains and seeds like: pumpkin seeds, cracked wheat, poppy seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, etc.
  • Learn how to make your own homemade sourdough starter here.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

unbaked loaf of sourdough multigrain bread in a loaf pan with a little jar of egg wash with a pastry bush on top behind the loaf
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Ingredients:

Multigrain cereal:  This is a mixture of different grains including: wheat, millet, rye, corn, barley, flax, and oats.

Water: Preferably filitered.

Honey: Could also substitute with maple syrup.

Unsalted butter: Room temp (or melted and cooled)

Active Sourdough starter: Active and bubbly. This recipe uses the wild yeast from starter to give it rise, no commercial yeast needed.

Salt

All-purpose flour. Could also use bread flour.

Tools you may need:

Loaf pan

Stand mixer with dough hook attachment

Large bowl

Measuring cups and bowls

FAQ:

hands holding a loaf of soft multigrain sourdough bread topped with oats

Is multigrain sourdough bread healthy?

Yes. Packed full of fiber, iron, vitamins, minerals, protein, and more, sourdough bread is a healthy choice. The fermentation process also reduces the glycemic index so blood sugar won’t spike as much as regular bread.

Is sourdough healthier than whole grain bread?

Yes. Since it contains more nutrients, is easier to digest, and has a lower glycemic index, sourdough bread is considered healthier than whole wheat or white bread.

Can I bake this in a dutch oven?

Yes. After the dough has doubled in size, shape and place in towel lined bowl or basket. Cover with plastic and place in the fridge for 12-15 hours. The next day, preheat the oven with the dutch oven at 500 degrees for 1 hour. Add dough to parchment paper and score. Place in the hot dutch oven, cover with a lid and bake for 20 minutes, remove lid and bake for another 20 minutes or until crust is golden and crusty.

loaf of multigrain sourdough bread on a cutting board with two sliced sliced off

How To Make Sourdough Multigrain Bread:

four process pictures of creating multigrain sourdough bread in a stand mixer. First picture of a package of multigrain cereal. Top right: soaking multigrain cereal in water. Bottom left: adding remaining ingredients to the cereal in a stand mixer bowl. Bottom right: Kneaded multigrain bread dough

Place cereal mix in a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Pour boiling water on top.

Let the mixture cool for about an hour until it reaches room temperature. Make sure it isnโ€™t too hot, so it doesnโ€™t kill the yeast in your starter!

Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixer and knead with the dough hook on medium speed until the dough comes together, pulls away from the sides of the bowl, and passes the window pane test. This can take a very long time, sometimes up to 20 minutes. Knead it until it is a smooth and glossy dough. Base the time on how the dough feels.

dough fermenting in a stainless steel bowl

You could also use the stretch and fold method if you don not have a stand mixer.

Follow the first two steps above. Then proceed with stretch and folds.

First 3 stretch and folds – every 15 minutes.

Last 3 stretch and folds – every 30 minutes.

Cover with a damp towel, lid, or plastic wrap and proceed to the next step.

multigrain sourdough bread dough doubled in size in a stainless bowl

Bulk ferment until doubled. The bulk fermentation time may take anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on the temperature in your house.

The warmer the environment the faster the fermentation process. Make sure not to over ferment. If you need to pause the fermentation, or slow it down, because itโ€™s bedtime or you have another obligation, place it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Shape the bread: 

Four process photos of shaping sandwich bread. Top right: dough rolled into a rectangle. Top left: rolling dough up. Bottom left: dough rolled up into a loaf shape. Bottom right: Dough in a loaf pan

Butter or line with a piece of parchment paper a 9ร—5 inch loaf pan.

Shape by rolling the dough flat into a rectangle and rolling it up.

Add to parchment lined or buttered loaf pans.

Second Rise

sourdough multigrain bread dough after the second rise in a loaf pan on a white countertop with jars surrounding the loaf

Cover with a towel or plastic wrap for 2-4 hours at room temperature, or until doubled.

When the dough is about ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Optional: Crack an egg into a small bowl and whisk together. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with a small amount of oats if desired.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Allow to cool completely before slicing.

loaf of sourdough multigrain bread on a wire rack on a white countertop with a white towel in the background

Bakerโ€™s Schedule

8:00 pm: Feed sourdough starter with flour and water. Depending on how active your sourdough starter is, it could take between 4-12 hours for it to be active enough to bake a loaf of bread.

8:00 am: If the sourdough starter is nice and bubbly, then proceed to creating the dough. Add multigrain cereal to the stand mixer bowl and add hot water.

9:00 am: If the multigrain cereal is cool enough, add the rest of the ingredients and create the dough. Let the dough rise for 4-8 hours.

1:00-5:00 pm: Shape the dough and place into the prepared loaf pan. Let the dough rest for 2-4 hours or until it has doubled in size. If the timing is off and the dough hasn’t risen enough before bed, just stick it in the fridge covered with plastic.

3:00 pm-9:00 pm: Preheat oven. Brush the egg wash and sprinkle oats on the top of the bread dough, if desired. Bake

Find More Sourdough Recipes:

If you make this recipe and love it, I would love it if you gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone with your delicious creation

Multigrain Sourdough Bread

4.58 from 64 votes
Learn how to make this light and fluffy sourdough multigrain bread recipe. The perfect sandwich bread is full of a variety of grains and lends itself to a slight nutty flavor.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Additional Time: 12 hours
Total: 13 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12
loaf of sourdough multigrain bread on a wire rack on a white countertop with a white towel in the background
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Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup multigrain cereal
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp (or melted and cooled)
  • 1 cup sourdough starter, active and bubbly
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Instructions 

  • Place cereal mix in a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Pour boiling water on top.
  • Let the mixture cool for about an hour until it reaches room temperature. Make sure it isnโ€™t too hot, so it doesnโ€™t kill the yeast in your starter!
  • Add the rest if the ingredients to the mixer and knead with the dough hook on medium speed until the dough comes together, pulls away from the sides of the bowl, and passes the window pane test. This can take a very long time, sometimes up to 20 minutes. Knead it until it is a smooth and glossy dough. Base the time on how the dough feels.
  • Cover with a damp towel, lid, or plastic wrap and proceed to the next step.
  • Bulk ferment until doubled. The bulk fermentation time may take anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on the temperature in your house.
  • Butter or line with a piece of parchment paper a 9ร—5 inch loaf pan.
  • Shape by rolling the dough flat into a rectangle and rolling it up.
  • Add to parchment lined or buttered loaf pans.
  • Cover with a towel or plastic wrap for 2-4 hours at room temperature, or until doubled.
  • When the dough is about ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Optional: Crack an egg into a small bowl and whisk together. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with a small amount of oats if desired.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
  • Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • If you do not have a stand mixer you could also use the stretch and fold method. Check blog post for more details.
  • The warmer the environment the faster the fermentation process. Make sure not to over ferment. If you need to pause the fermentation, or slow it down, because itโ€™s bedtime or you have another obligation, pause it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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78 Comments

  1. Richard V says:

    Hello – this bread is exactly what I was looking for. I don’t have a bread mixer/maker so how and where do I see the notes in the blog post on making it without a machine – Thanks for this fantastic recipe – and do you have it converted to metric yet

    Thanks

    1. Lisa says:

      It would be the same directions except you would want to knead by hand, or use my no knead method found in the No-Knead Sourdough Bread recipe. I haven’t converted this recipe yet. It will be updated in the recipe card when I do.

  2. Rhonda says:

    (I don’t know if my first comment was submitted?)
    Please help. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. My first attempt at this the bread was really dense and never rose to your portions on the picture (didn’t even get to the top of the loaf pan). Now this time, after shaping into a ball and kneading in my mixer, the bread fell flat and my mixer was running way to hot. I have it in the loaf pan already as it’s sticky as I’ll get out (I did do the 3.5 c of flour) and there is no way it’ll hold its shape for kneading. I’m so sad.

    1. Lisa says:

      As far as the first attempt, did you make sure to let the boiling water cool before adding the starter? If the water was too hot, you could have killed the wild yeast in the starter, which would cause it not to rise. It could have also been an under or over proofing issue. This bread takes a lot of kneading. You’ll want to knead until it passes the window pane test.

  3. Rosette says:

    Wondering if you have to use the cereal, for this to work or can it be substituted

    This would be my frist time baking this
    Thank you

    1. Lisa says:

      The cereal is what makes this multigrain, and is what I use. However, feel free to experiment with different types of grains and seeds like: pumpkin seeds, cracked wheat, poppy seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, etc.

  4. Lorraine says:

    I am just trying this recipe now! It looks fabulous and I can’t wait to try it. I am a little concerned there is a lot of dough for the one 9×5 loaf pan. I am reading it correctly, this recipe makes one loaf for a 9 x 5″ bread pan? Thanks.

    1. Lisa says:

      Yes! The recipe is for one loaf in the standard size loaf pan.

  5. Arlene Hairston says:

    I just made my first loaf of soft multigrain sourdough bread. The bread looks great except it split on the top. Could this be caused by over proofing on the second rise?

    1. Lisa says:

      Was it dense or really fluffy? If it split on the top, it could be that is rose a lot in the oven and needed a place to expand.

      1. Arlene says:

        Its light and fluffy. It came out perfect and delicious except for the split.

  6. Corina Bishop says:

    Lisa, thank you so much for this sourdough bread recipe it is one of my favorites. I actually have some rising at the moment. ๐Ÿ˜Š

    1. Lisa says:

      So glad you enjoy it! Have a great day!

  7. Magdalena says:

    Delicious bread! Moist, chewy, yummy! I replaced one cup of all purpose flour for whole wheat and came out awesome! I baked so many of your recipes since I have the starter, and every one of them is a keeper! Thank You Lisa!

  8. Monica says:

    This is the yummiest bread ever! Weโ€™ve been making it now for almost a year and it turns out tender and delicious every time. Weโ€™ve used muesli, great grains cereal, Ezekiel cereal, and even just oatmeal and it all works great!

    1. Lisa says:

      So glad you enjoy it! Have a great day!

  9. Lorraine says:

    Hi Lisa
    I am in Australia and like the look of this loaf but I am used to weighing out ingredients rather than by cup measurements, I find it to be more accurate, hence more success!
    Any chance of knowing the weights in grams of the list of ingredients for your recipes, I am keen to try them.
    Many thanks, Lorraine ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ

  10. Bev says:

    Could you use a portion of whole wheat flour with this recipe?

    1. Lisa says:

      I would think so! It may change the texture a bit and make it more dense depending on quantity. Let us know if you try it and how it turns out.

    2. Lexie says:

      Was wondering this too…did you try it?