AGE
9m+
No-Salt, No-Sugar Whole Wheat Bread (Baby Version · 9m+)
From our parent community · High-fibre finger food
Whole Wheat Bread (Baby Version)
Vegan, no-knead, no salt, no sugar — a soft little loaf made with high-fibre wholemeal flour, just right for tiny hands to grab and self-feed 🍞
Once baby hits 9 months and starts reaching for food to eat on their own, a soft bread makes an ideal finger food. This whole wheat loaf uses a vegan, no-knead method — an overnight autolyse and natural ferment, with no salt, no sugar and no oil the whole way through, leaning on the wholemeal flour's own nutty flavour and fibre. The crumb is soft and easy to bite; cut it into finger strips for baby to practise self-feeding, while adults can spread a little on theirs — a true share-with-the-family bake.
Ingredients
Main water-based version
- Whole wheat flour250 g
- Water170 g
- Instant dry yeast5 g
Optional
- Nuts, finely chopped (for under 2–3 years, chop very finely or grind to a powder for safety)20–30 g
Method
- Autolyse (water-flour hydration)In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and water until no dry flour remains. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours.
- Add the yeastAdd the instant dry yeast to the hydrated dough and mix until fully incorporated. If using nuts, add the finely chopped nuts now and mix to distribute, then cover and let rest.
- First proofTransfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it ferment in a warm place for about 8–12 hours, or until at least doubled in size.
- Shape the doughTip the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Press it down gently into a rectangle, then roll it up into a log shape and pinch the seam to seal.
- Second proofPlace the dough seam-side down onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and proof for another 1–2 hours, until visibly increased in size.
- BakePreheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Dust the top of the loaf with a little whole wheat flour and make a few slashes. Bake for about 30 minutes, until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped — baked through, centre no wet batter. Cool until just warm before serving to baby.
Safety notes
- Make sure the bread is fully baked through — centre with no wet batter, bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Never serve doughy, under-baked bread to baby.
- Allergen: wheat (gluten); depending on the version, it may also contain egg or dairy (e.g. a yogurt version contains dairy). When introducing a new food, offer one at a time and watch for 2–3 days for any reaction.
- No added salt, sugar or honey under 1. This loaf is already salt- and sugar-free, which makes it just right for baby.
- Keep seasoning for adults / 1y+: spread butter, jam or a sprinkle of salt only on the adults' portion; keep baby's plain.
- Care with nuts: whole or large pieces of nut are a choking hazard. For under 2–3 years, grind to a powder or chop extremely finely, or leave them out altogether.
- Cut into small finger strips and cool until just warm; baby should be seated upright and supervised while eating.
Why it's great for baby
Whole wheat flour keeps the bran and germ, so it offers more dietary fibre, B vitamins and minerals than white flour — helping baby's gut keep moving and giving steady energy. The no-salt, no-sugar method lets baby get used to the natural taste of food from early on, without developing a taste for strong flavours too soon. Cut into finger strips, the soft crumb also builds baby's grip and chewing — making it an ideal starter bread for BLW (baby-led weaning).
High-fibre wholemeal
No salt, no sugar
Vegan no-knead
Finger food
Tips
Bake once, eat over several days: once cooled, slice and freeze the bread, then re-warm or steam to soften before serving for a fresh-tasting bite any time.
Share with adults: after setting aside baby's portion, adults can spread butter, jam or a little salt on theirs — one loaf, two ways to enjoy.
Adjust texture by age: for younger babies, choose the soft inner crumb and tear it into small pieces; for older ones, leave a little crust on to practise chewing.
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This recipe was shared by the iBuddies parent community 💛 — thank you to the parents swapping baby-recipe ideas. Want to share your version? Come join the conversation in our community.
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Start with real, plain flavours 🍞
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