Bread Flour

Bread flour is milled from hard wheat with a higher protein content (typically 12-14%) than all-purpose flour (10-12%). That extra protein develops more gluten, giving yeasted bread a chewier crumb and better structure to trap the gas produced during rising.

Buying tips

Check the protein content on the nutrition label if it is listed, bread flour should run 12-14%, noticeably higher than all-purpose (10-12%).

Substitutes

All-purpose flour + vital wheat gluten — 1 cup flour + 1 tsp vital wheat gluten per cup of bread flour called for
Approximates bread flour's protein content reasonably closely.
Plain all-purpose flour — 1:1
Works fine for most home baking; the loaf will be slightly softer and less chewy.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for up to a year, or refrigerate/freeze for longer storage, flour's natural oils can turn rancid over time, especially in warm, humid conditions.

How to use

Best for yeasted breads, pizza dough, and bagels, where a strong gluten network is wanted. Less ideal for tender baked goods like cakes and pastries, where too much gluten development makes for a tough result.

What it pairs with

Reach for it with any yeasted dough meant to rise tall and chew, pizza dough, bagels, sandwich loaves, and pretzels all benefit from the extra structure; skip it for cookies, cakes, and pie crust, where all-purpose flour's lower gluten gives a more tender result.

Nutrition

Similar calorie content to all-purpose flour, about 100-110 calories per ¼ cup, with slightly more protein per serving due to the higher-protein wheat it's milled from.

FAQ

Can I use bread flour for cookies or cakes?

You can, but the higher gluten content tends to make cookies and cakes chewier and denser rather than tender, fine for a chewier cookie on purpose, less ideal for a light cake.

Does bread flour make that much of a difference in homemade bread?

Yes, noticeably, the extra gluten gives the dough more strength to rise tall and hold an open, chewy crumb, which is why most dedicated bread recipes call for it specifically rather than all-purpose flour.

Have bread flour on hand? Find recipes with our Recipe Generator →