Rye bread is charming — it’s rustic, texturally exciting, and much more flavorful than a white loaf. The thing is, store-bought rye bread is often dry and too dense, and making it at home has always been a challenge for baking enthusiasts.
With this in mind, I experimented with ingredient combinations and proportions to create rye bread fast and easy using my bread machine, and the result is gorgeous! Think of a fluffy, not too dense loaf with rye’s earthiness and rustic charm.
Here’s my rye bread recipe for bread machine. Happy baking!
Jump To RecipeBenefits Of Rye Bread

Rye is a noble grain, but it’s not as available as you might think. According to the food industry data, the US produces only 10 million bushels of the dark grain every year, compared to 2 billion bushels of wheat; it’s easy to see why rye bread is not all that common.
And that’s too bad because, among rye bread’s health benefits, this brown loaf has twelve times more dietary fiber than wheat bread and tons of nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, and vitamin B, much more than other bread. And naturally, rye bread tends to be much lower in gluten than barley or wheat.
Most importantly, rye bread is delicious, but you must get it right, which means experimenting a little.
What Goes Into Rye Bread?

There are many recipes for rye bread; trust me, I’ve tried at least a dozen. Still, I had to adapt my own to make loaf in my beloved bread machine. Here’s what you need.
You’ll need lukewarm water, of course. You’ll also need powdered milk, butter, salt, and brown sugar. Since rye flour is richer than regular bread flour, it can handle the flavor intensity in brown sugar easily.
For this recipe, we’ll combine all-purpose flour and dark rye flour, with the white flower dominating the mix at a ratio of 3:1 — that’s the secret for a less dense but still rustic loaf.
Finally, a few tablespoons of caraway seeds are optional, but they can give that rustic appearance and a nutty flavor.
What Does Rye Bread Taste Like?

This particular bread machine rye bread is the best of two worlds — it’s rustic, earthy, and gritty, but it’s also fluffy, not too dense, and as versatile as white bread.
You’ll love the crackly crust; tap on it with your fingers and let it make you feel warm inside. The crumb is soft and full, and not particularly dense or dry — it’s just perfect.
On the nose, you’ll notice subtle sweetness and nutty undertones in the background; that’s the brown sugar and caraway seeds speaking. As for the flavor, this rye bread is earthy and full of character; it’s heavenly!
For a similar experience, check out the super easy and soft Honey Oat Bread Recipe that I have modified for a bread machine.
How To Make Rye Bread In Bread Machine?

Let’s Make Some Rye Bread!
Now we’re ready to look at today’s bread machine rye bread recipe. Use your regular white loaf setting but tweak the settings to suit your unit. This bread baking recipe is as easy as they come, and the result is crowd-pleasing delicious.
Rustic Rye Bread Recipe For Bread Machine
Course: SidesCuisine: GermanDifficulty: Medium8
servings10
minutes86
kcal70-80
minutes1
hour30
minutesThis rye bread recipe produces one medium size loaf. Baking times can slightly vary depending on your bread machine baking cycle.
Ingredients
One and third cups of lukewarm water (300 ml)
One-third cup of brown sugar
2 Tablespoons of powdered milk
Two teaspoons of salt
Three cups of all-purpose flour
One cup of dark rye flour, also known as whole grain rye flour and pumpernickel flour
2 ½ teaspoons of bread machine yeast
3 Tbsp of room temperature butter
Two teaspoons of caraway seeds
Directions
- Add the water, sugar, milk, salt, and flour to the bread machine.
- Add 2 ½ teaspoons of bread machine yeast. Active dry yeast or instant yeast will work as well.
- Close the lid and set the baking cycle to Basic or White Bread Cycle. Press start.
- About 5 to 10 minutes before the end of the kneading cycle, add two teaspoons of caraway seeds.
- Let the bread machine finish the baking cycle. Once finished, remove the bread pan and place the loaf on a cooling rack for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
Recipe Video
Notes
- I hope you liked this rye bread recipe for the bread machine. If you have any questions or comments about this recipe, please leave them in the comments section below the video on YouTube.
- If your loaf did not turn precisely the way you like, please check out these 9 Common Bread Machine Baking Problems And Solutions.
Read Also: 7 Toasted Rye Bread Sandwich Ideas For Breakfast, Brunch, Or Lunch.
In Conclusion
This rye bread recipe for bread machine is a delicious and nutritious option for those looking for a change in their bread routine. This recipe is perfect for those who are short of time but would still like to have a fresh and warm homemade loaf. So, if you have a bread machine on hand, give this homemade rye bread recipe a try today!
Thank you for the rye bread recipe; it turned out great.
Very tasty rye bread and great texture… however, too sweet for our taste! Thank you!
Do you have the temperature/time for baking it in the oven after mixing/rising it in the bread maker? I prefer to shape the loaf.
I’m not use to putting milk powder in bread recipes. Most American recipes I’ve come across use it. What is the main reason for using it? Can I use less sugar?
Thank you
In my experience, using milk powder in bread recipes can be pretty handy. It’s easy to store and measure out, and it won’t spoil like actual milk. Plus, it can create a softer, more tender crumb and give your bread a slightly sweet and creamy taste. I’ve also found that it helps to extend the shelf life of my bread. Overall, I think using milk powder is definitely worth a try if you’re looking to up your bread-making game.