1. Prepare the bag
Use a large food-safe resealable bag. Add the flour, sugar, rapid-rise yeast, and salt.
2. Add the wet ingredients
Pour in the warm water and olive oil. Seal the bag, leaving a little air inside.
3. Mix everything together
Gently squeeze and knead the outside of the bag for several minutes until the ingredients form a soft, sticky dough and no dry flour remains.
4. Knead the dough
Continue kneading through the bag for about 5 minutes. If the dough feels extremely sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time. Avoid adding too much flour because you want the finished bread to stay soft.
5. Remove the dough
Lightly flour your hands and work surface. Open the bag and transfer the dough onto the surface.
6. Shape the bread
Divide the dough into 6–8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball or small loaf.
7. Let the dough rise
Place the shaped dough into lightly greased small loaf pans or baking dishes. Cover loosely with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30–45 minutes, or until noticeably puffy.
8. Brush with egg
Once risen, gently brush the tops with beaten egg. This gives the bread its beautiful shiny, golden-brown crust.
9. Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when lightly tapped.
10. Cool and serve
Remove the bread from the pans and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 10–15 minutes before serving.
Helpful Tip
The exact amount of water can vary depending on your flour and humidity, so add it gradually if needed. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky, but it shouldn’t be runny.
Serve these warm with butter, honey, jam, or alongside your favorite dinner. Once you try making bread this way, you may find yourself reaching for this recipe whenever you want fresh homemade bread.
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