By InstaCuppa Editorial · May 2026 · 5 min read

Brown Bread Recipe at Home: Healthier Than Store-Bought

Store-bought brown bread in India is mostly maida. Brands add caramel colouring or molasses to make it look brown. The actual whole wheat content can be as low as 10-20%.

This recipe uses real atta — 60% of the total flour — with a small amount of maida to help it rise. No artificial colouring. No preservatives. Just real ingredients.

Ingredients

• 240g atta (whole wheat flour)
• 160g maida (all-purpose flour)
• 5g instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1.5 tbsp brown sugar or jaggery powder
• 1.5 tbsp oil or butter
• 230ml warm water

Method

1. Add water and oil to the bread pan first.
2. Mix atta and maida together, then add to the pan on top of the liquids.
3. Add salt and sugar at opposite corners of the flour (away from each other — salt kills yeast if they touch directly).
4. Make a small well in the centre of the flour and add the yeast.
5. Select the Basic or Whole Wheat program. Medium crust.
6. Let it complete. Remove and cool for 30 minutes before cutting.

Why the 60:40 Atta:Maida Ratio Works

Pure atta bread in a bread maker often comes out too dense. That is because atta has less gluten than maida.

Gluten is the protein that forms stretchy strands to trap yeast gas. More gluten = better rise = softer bread.

The 60:40 ratio gives you enough atta for nutrition and fibre, while the maida provides enough gluten for a proper rise. You can adjust to 70:30 if you also add vital wheat gluten (1.5 tsp).

Comparison: Homemade vs Store-Bought Brown Bread

FAQ