Home Recipes Bread Recipes
ByChristina Herbst
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023
If you've ever asked yourself how long it takes for bread to rise, you've come to the right place! Here's everything you knead to know, along with some more bread proofing tips and tricks.
It’s time for a little bread baking 101! Baking homemade yeast bread recipes is a joy, but plenty of questions can pop up after you’ve combined your flour, water, yeast and salt.
The question that looms largest in the minds of both amateur bakers and seasoned pros is, “how long does it take for dough to rise?” Don’t worry: We’ll break it down for you here, along with other bread proofing questions.
where you’ll find our best tips and top-rated recipes. Then, share your bakes in our Bakeable Facebook group. We’d love to see ’em.
How long does it take for bread dough to rise?
The short answer is that it depends. Factors like the temperature of your kitchen and the freshness of your yeast, along with humidity and water temperature, can all affect the proofing time of your bread dough.
In a toasty kitchen, your dough may proof in as little as an hour (or less!). When the temperatures dip, it can take much longer—upwards of two or even three hours. You’ll know it’s done when it has a full, puffed appearance, like in the image below.
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How do I get dough to rise faster?
Try letting the dough proof next to a heat source, or in your oven with just the light on. Since heat rises, on top of the fridge is a good spot, too! Have a flat loaf that just isn’t budging? Here’s why your bread isn’t rising.
Test Kitchen tip: Sweet bread doughs and whole-grain loaves both take longer to rise, so plan accordingly.
Can I leave my bread to rise overnight?
Yes, you can let your bread rise overnight in the fridge. Keep in mind, though, you’ll want the dough to come back up to room temperature before baking. If you want your dough to develop a slightly sour flavor, you can leave the dough at room temperature to rise, but you’ll need to punch it down, reshape and allow it to rise again before baking.
Next, read about what the end piece of bread is called.
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The Best Banana BreadWhenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is amazingly good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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The Best BiscuitsThe recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
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The Best BreadsticksPresent these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon
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The Best Brown BreadThis chewy, old-fashioned bread boasts a slightly sweet flavor that will transport you back to the old days. —Patricia Donnelly, Kings Landing, New Brunswick
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The Best ChallahI use these shiny, beautiful loaves as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the taste of honey, but you can also add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest or almonds. Leftover slices of this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or for French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California
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The Best CornbreadServing this moist cornbread to family and guests is a pleasure. Honey gives the bread a slightly sweet taste, and most people find it difficult to eat just one piece. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
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The Best Dinner RollsThese soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois
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The Best English MuffinsWhen I was growing up on a farm, my mom always seemed to be making homemade bread...nothing tasted so good! Now I like to make these simple yet delicious muffins for my own family. —Linda Rasmussen, Twin Falls, Idaho
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The Best FlatbreadMy family loves this as a pizza crust. But with a touch of olive oil and fresh herbs it makes a lovely flatbread appetizer. —Sue Brown, West Bend, Wisconsin
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The Best FocacciaMy family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It's one of my best recipes!—Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland
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The Best French BreadThe first time I made this recipe my husband asked it if was homemade or store-bought. When he reached for a second piece, I knew I had a winning recipe. —Roseann Loker, Colon, Michigan. If you enjoyed this recipe, learn how to make fougasse.
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The Best Garlic BreadYou'll love the fresh garlic and herbs in this recipe. The mild goat cheese that’s sprinkled on top makes it extra rich and wonderful. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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The Best NaanChewy yeast-raised flat bread is a snap to make in a bread machine. Serve naan with your favorite Indian dish to soak up the curry and sauces. —Shannon Ventresca, Middleboro, Massachusetts
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Don't miss our whole list of easy bread machine recipes!
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The Best No-Knead BreadHere's a very easy way to have homemade bread for dinner tonight. Don't worry if you're new to baking. Anyone who can stir can make this no knead bread a success! —Heather Chambers, Largo, Florida
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The Best Potato BreadA tasty mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour and a small amount of mashed potatoes combine to give this golden bread its wonderful texture. The loaf is very moist and stays that way for days. —Sue Violette, Neillsville, Wisconsin
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The Best Quick BreadNutmeg and cinnamon add spice to these flavorful loaves. The flecks of green zucchini and red cranberries give each slice a festive look that's just right for the holidays. —Alice Manzo, South Easton, Massachusetts. Looking for more recipes? Serve them Rosca de Reyes, a bread eaten in Mexico and Central America just after Christmas.
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The Best Rye BreadThis gorgeous rye bread has just a touch of sweetness and the perfect amount of caraway seeds. With a crusty top and firm texture, it holds up well to sandwiches, but a pat of butter will do the job, too. —Holly Wade, Harrisonburg, Virginia
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The Best Soda BreadMy best friend, Rita, shared this irresistible Irish soda bread recipe. It bakes up high, with a golden brown top and a combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Jan Alfano, Prescott, Arizona
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The Best SourdoughFor many years, I've been making 45 loaves of this bread for an annual Christmas bazaar, where we feed bread and soup to over 300 folks. — Beverley Whaley, Camano Island, Washington
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The Best TortillaI usually have to double this flour tortilla recipe because we go through them so quickly. The homemade tortillas are so tender and chewy, you’ll never use store-bought again after learning how to make tortillas. —Kristin Van Dyken, Kennewick, Washington
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The Best White BreadAnytime is the right time for a comforting slice of homemade bread. These loaves are especially nice since the crust stays so tender. This white bread recipe is my husband Nick's favorite. He makes most of the bread at our house. —Joanne Shew Chuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan
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Whole Wheat Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home
The Best Whole Wheat BreadI'm 12 years old and make this bread with my mother, who got the recipe from her mother. I usually prepare the dough, and my mom bakes it. —Freida Stutman, Fillmore, New York
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The Best Yeast BreadMy stepmother gave me the recipe for a delicious yeast coffee cake shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
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Up Next: The Best Bread Recipes of 2023
Originally Published: November 11, 2020
Author
Christina Herbst
Christina is a Social Media Editor for Taste of Home. She enjoys trying out local restaurants and coffeehouses and adding copious amounts of garlic and cheese to any recipe she can get her hands on. In her free time, you can find her hunting down one-of-a-kind furniture pieces at thrift and vintage stores and DIYing trendy home decor crafts.
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