This unique, flourless bread is a little different from the processed varieties you may find in your grocery store. Ezekiel bread is loaded with nutrients and flavor, but it’s often sold frozen, so you’ll need to know how to thaw it for the best results.
Don’t worry – there are a few ways to thaw out your bread that won’t impact its taste or texture. So, whether you’re short on time or you’re willing to wait for it to thaw, you’ll find an option to suit you.
Ready to learn more? Keep reading to explore everything you need to know about Ezekiel bread.
What Is Ezekiel Bread?
Bread doesn’t always need to be unhealthy. Ezekiel bread is considered one of the healthiest varieties out there, and it’s made from a unique blend of ingredients, including wheat, spelt, soybeans, lentils, barley, and millet.
The grains in this flourless bread are blended up into a dough-like consistency and then baked. Because this bread is a whole grain product, it’s healthier than other processed alternatives,
The name comes from verse Ezekiel 4:9 from the Old Testament, which says “take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself…”.
Ezekiel bread is a great source of fibre and nutrients, and it has a distinctly rich and nutty flavor, with a slightly chewier texture than flour-based bread.
How Is Ezekiel Bread Made?
Although Ezekiel bread may sound a little complex, it’s actually a very easy (and healthy) recipe to make. So, if you can’t find any in your local grocery store, you can make your own batch and freeze it for later!
Ezekiel bread relies on a few simple ingredients including:
Water
Yeast
Wheat berries
Salt
Beans
Barley
Millet
Spelt flour
Honey
Oil
Method
Activate the yeast by mixing it with the oil, honey, and water
Now mix your beans and grains together. Once mixed, you can grind them up in a flour mill.
Combine your flour and salt mixture to the yeast. Once stirred, it will come together to form a loose dough.
Once you’re happy with the consistency, place your dough into loaf pans and leave them to rise.
Place your bread in a preheated oven and cook until the loaves are golden brown.
Why Is Ezekiel Bread Frozen?
Ezekiel bread is usually sold frozen – but why?
Unlike most of the loaves you’ll find in your local grocery store, Ezekiel bread doesn’t contain any preservatives.
All of these ingredients are more susceptible to perishing, so a loaf of Ezekiel bread will usually go moldy much faster than a processed loaf. Freezing the Ezekiel bread will help it last much longer.
Ideally, you should keep your Ezekiel bread frozen when you take it home, too. If you leave your loaf out, you’ll need to be prepared to eat it all within a couple of days, otherwise, it will be spoiled before you can finish it.
How To Thaw Ezekiel Bread
If you’re ready to eat your frozen Ezekiel bread, there are a few ways you can thaw it. Here are the most efficient methods:
On The Counter
Arguably, the most simple method is to leave your bread to thaw on the counter top. You can thaw out your slices individually, and it’ll take around an hour or two until they’re ready to eat. To thaw your bread on the counter, simply:
Remove your bread from the freezer, and take out as many slices as you need.
Once you’ve taken out the desired amount of slices, place the rest of the bread back in the freezer,
Now, put your slices on a plate and leave them for a few hours to reach room temperature. Flip your slices halfway through the defrosting process.
In The Toaster
If you’re short on time, thawing your bread in the toaster is the quickest way to do it. You won’t need to thaw your bread before toasting, which makes this a popular option.
Remove a few slices of your bread from the freezer
Place the slices into your toaster, and toast them as you would with thawed bread
If your toaster has a defrost setting, we’d recommend using it!
In The Refrigerator
You can also thaw your Ezekiel bread in the refrigerator. If you know you’ll need a few slices ready for the next day, this is a great way to do it. Here’s what you need to do:
Remove the bread from the freezer, and take as many slices as you need to thaw
Place your slices in the fridge, and leave them to thaw overnight
You’ll be ready to use your Ezekiel bread the next day
In The Oven
If you can’t wait for your bread to defrost overnight and you don’t want to toast it, you can also thaw your Ezekiel bread in the oven! This is a great option if you need to thaw the whole loaf, but you’re short on time.
Preheat your oven to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Remove your load from the freezer, and wrap it in foil to prevent it from drying out in the oven
Now, you can bake your bread for between 15-20 minutes, or until it has completely defrosted
Remove your bread from the oven and leave it to cool before eating it
In The Microwave
You can also thaw your bread in the microwave. It doesn’t always produce the best results, but it’s quick and easy if you’re in a rush.
Take your slices and put them on a microwave-safe plate
Cook them in the microwave for between 15-20 seconds, and flip them halfway through
Thawed Ezekiel bread will remain good for between 3-5 days when refrigerated. Storing your bread at room temperature will make it spoil faster.
The Bottom Line
Ezekiel bread is tasty, hearty, and full of flavor. However, it’s quicker to spoil than processed bread, so you’ll usually need to keep it refrigerated or frozen.
There are many ways to thaw your Ezekiel bread safely, so whether you’re in a rush or you have time to spare, you can use one of the methods above to achieve the best results!
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
