Steam Bread: Microwave Cooking Quick Tips

If you're in a pinch and need to make bread quickly, you can use a microwave. The bread won't have the same colour or crust as bread baked in an oven, but it will still be light, airy, and soft.

To make microwave bread, you'll need a microwave-safe dish or mug, self-rising flour, and milk. You can also add baking powder, salt, sugar, yeast, butter, and water to improve the flavour and texture.

Simply mix the ingredients together in a mug or bowl, place the dough in the microwave, and heat for around 30 seconds to 5 minutes, depending on your microwave's wattage.

For an even quicker option, you can steam bread in the microwave by mixing flour and water, pouring the batter into a heat-proof container lined with plastic wrap, and microwaving for 5 minutes.

Choosing the right mug

When it comes to choosing the right mug for cooking steam bread in the microwave, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Firstly, it is important to select a microwave-safe mug, made from materials such as ceramic or glass. Avoid using metal mugs, as they are not suitable for microwave use.

Secondly, opt for a large, oversized mug that can hold at least 16 ounces (450 ml) of liquid. Regular-shaped mugs are best; very skinny or wide mugs can cause the bread to cook unevenly. Square-base mugs are not recommended as the dough can get stuck in the corners and is harder to remove. A mug measuring around 4 inches (10 cm) in height and about 3 3/4 inches (9.5 cm) in width is ideal.

Additionally, consider using a mug with a smooth surface, as this can make it easier to remove the bread once it's cooked.

By choosing the right mug, you'll be well on your way to successfully cooking steam bread in the microwave.

Mixing the ingredients

To make bread in the microwave, you will need a large mixing bowl, a microwave-safe dish, and a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.

First, add five tablespoons of all-purpose bleached flour to the large mixing bowl. You can also include other types of flour, such as almond, buckwheat, or whole-wheat flour. If you use other types of flour, be aware that the bread's baking properties and moisture content may change.

Use chemically-treated "bleached" flour if possible, as it contains less protein than unbleached flour, making it better for quick breads.

Next, mix in a teaspoon each of baking powder and vanilla extract. The baking powder will make the bread rise by increasing its volume. The vanilla extract is optional, as it only adds a sweet taste without impacting the baking process.

Now, add one egg and stir it thoroughly into the mixture. The size of the egg does not matter, but a larger egg will result in a moister bread. Be careful not to leave any eggshell pieces in the dough.

Add two to three tablespoons of milk. You can use any type of milk you prefer, such as cow, almond, rice, coconut, or hemp milk. Thicker milk will make the bread slightly richer, but its main function is to moisten the dough so that the flour sticks together.

Additionally, add two tablespoons of water to further moisten the mixture.

Finally, add two to three tablespoons of oil. You can use olive, vegetable, canola, or coconut oil, depending on your preference. The oil's main purpose is to thicken the dough and moisten the bread, so the most significant difference in using different types of oils will be in taste.

Once all the ingredients are combined, use clean hands to knead the dough and stabilize its consistency. Massage the batter firmly, ensuring that the moisture is evenly distributed. Knead the dough for about two to five minutes, or until you can stretch it without it falling apart.

Getting the right consistency

If you are making a dough, you will need to knead it for 2-5 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. This is important to ensure the bread is not too tough or chewy. You should be able to stretch the dough without it breaking.

If you are making a batter, it should be thick enough to hold its shape in the mug, but still wet and sticky. You can use a spoon to spread the batter out and smooth the surface.

The type of flour you use will affect the consistency of your dough or batter. All-purpose flour is a good option, but you can also use almond, buckwheat, or whole-wheat flour. If using self-rising flour, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe, as this type of flour can make the dough too dry.

The amount of liquid in your recipe will also affect the consistency. Too much liquid can make it difficult for the dough to hold its shape, so you may need to add more flour to balance it out.

Microwave wattage can also affect the consistency of your bread. Higher wattage microwaves may require a shorter cooking time, while lower wattage microwaves may need a few extra seconds.

Finally, the shape of your mug or container can also impact the consistency of your bread. A large, oversized mug is best, and square base mugs are not recommended as the dough can get stuck in the corners and be difficult to remove.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for microwave bread depend on the type of bread you are making and the wattage of your microwave.

For a simple, sugarless microwave bread, you can bake the dough for 5 minutes on high heat in a 1000-watt microwave. If your microwave has a lower wattage, you may need to increase the cooking time. It is important to keep an eye on the dough to ensure it does not overcook or rise uncontrollably.

If you are making a loaf of bread in the microwave, you can follow a similar process to conventional bread-making, but using the microwave to proof and bake the dough. First, proof the dough in a microwave-safe loaf pan for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. Then, microwave the bread on high for about four minutes, checking the bread at the three-minute mark to avoid overcooking.

For a 2-ingredient microwave bread, you can cook the dough in a microwave-safe mug for about 30 seconds on full power. This recipe works best with a microwave wattage of 1000-1100 watts; higher or lower wattages may require a few seconds' adjustment.

Finally, if you are steaming bread in the microwave, you can do so by lining a heatproof container with plastic wrap and pouring in the batter. Place this container inside a larger heatproof container filled with hot water and microwave at 500 watts for 5 minutes.

Removing the bread from the mug

Once your bread is cooked, it's time to remove it from the mug. This is a simple process, but it requires care to ensure you don't burn yourself.

First, take a large spoon and run it around the edges of the bread to loosen it from the mug. Be sure to get right into the corners to ensure the bread isn't stuck. Then, slide the spoon to the bottom of the mug to help scoop the bread out. You may need to gently prise the bread away from the base of the mug with your spoon.

Once the bread is loose, carefully lift it out of the mug in one piece. It should now be ready to slice and serve. You can eat it as it is, or toast it if you prefer.

If you want to make another batch of bread, you can reuse the mug once it has cooled down. Alternatively, you can wash it in warm, soapy water and dry it thoroughly before using it again.

Frequently asked questions