The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Quick Question...

Abe's picture
Abe

Quick Question...

Do flaxseeds always have to be soaked before adding to a dough or can I just add them in while folding? 

Was supposed to be making a walnut bread. Instead of lightly toasting them I made walnut charcoal. Have a bag of omega 3 mix, which has flaxseeds, and was wondering if I could just add them straight to the dough. 

Thank you. 

MichaelLily's picture
MichaelLily

Flaxseed absorbs a lot of water so you will need to hydrate it or else it will dry out your dough and can prevent it from proofing properly. the ratio I use for whole flaxseeds is 7:9 seeds to hot water.

mariana's picture
mariana

No, of course not always. It depends on how scarce is water in your bread dough and how early or late you add the seeds for them to have the time to swell.

I tend to err on the wet side, making my bread dough rather wet, overhydrated, so I do not soak flaxseeds ever and the difference is negligible. But I do not add that much either. I prefer them as topping, not inside the crumb.

Abe's picture
Abe

So it depends on the hydration. Made the dough already, it's in the fridge final proofing, so went for pumpkin seeds instead. I'll know for next time.