Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

Home Breads Classic Poppy Seed Bread

by Julie Blanner

updated Nov 15, 2023

5 from 5 votes

This poppy seed bread recipe is dense, decadent, and so simple to make. The addition of poppy seeds give this quick bread recipe a nutty, delicate texture your family will love!

Poppy seeds lend a nutty, woodsy flavor to baked goods. They add the slightest crunch to this quick bread that is truly craveable!

Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love this Poppy Seed Bread
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Tools to Use
  • How to Make this Poppy Seed Bread
  • Tips
  • Baking Alternatives
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to Store
  • Dietary Considerations
  • More Quick Bread Recipes
  • Classic Poppy Seed Bread
  • Explore More

This fast and fabulous poppy seed quick bread recipe is a classic for the holidays and beyond. It’s a timeless favorite that knows no season – it’s simply chock full of rich, sweet nutty flavor! Psst… don’t miss this lemon poppy seed bread, too!

You’ll even learn how to add a glaze if you prefer, for a sweet finish! All the sweetness of cake, all the ease of a quick bread… what’s not to love?

I’ve got an incredible, FREE quick bread guide that will walk you through each and every recipe in my line-up, along with tips and tricks to enhance your baking experience!

Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (3)

Why You’ll Love this Poppy Seed Bread

  • It takes just five minutes hands on time.
  • It’s simple to make with staple ingredients you already have in your pantry.
  • Minimal dishes to clean – just one bowl and your loaf pan or pans.
  • It’s great for gifting! It yields six miniature loaves that are easy to wrap. They make great neighbor, teacher and housewarming gifts!
  • They can be made in advance. It stays fresh for days!
  • It freezes well. You can freeze a loaf or a slice to enjoy later for breakfasts or snacks.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Sugar– White granulated sugar makes this bread delightfully sweet.
  • Flour– All purpose flour is the foundation of this bread.No need to sift.
  • Baking Powder– Leavensquick bread, without the fuss! It ensures a nice even rise.
  • Salt– A hint of salt brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Eggs– The binding agent.
  • Milk– Milk adds flavor to quick breads and gives it a beautiful brown color due to caramelization of milk and sugars! You can use whatever you have on hand from skim to Vitamin D, even Almond Milk to make it dairy free.
  • Vegetable Oil– Vegetable oilmakes this bread incredibly moist. You can substitute with canola oil, melted butter or melted coconut oil.
  • Poppy Seeds – The star of the show! Poppy seeds pack a lot of flavor and crunch into this bread.
Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (4)

Variations

  • Glaze – Drizzle or cover with a basic glaze, lemon glaze or orange glaze to turn it into a show stopper. Optional: sprinkle sugar over the loaf just before baking for a shimmery finish.
  • Add Nuts – Make poppy seed walnut bread by simply folding in crushed walnuts! Pistachios, pecans and almonds also work well. Fold in candied nuts for a really special treat!
  • Add Fruits – Cranberries, bananas or the zest of lemon or orange all lend well to this bread.
  • Add Chocolate Chips – Chocolate and poppy seeds go together so well.
Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (5)

Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (6)

How to Make this Poppy Seed Bread

  1. Prep – Preheat oven and grease loaf pan.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients – Add egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Blend until just combined.
  4. Add Poppy Seeds – Fold in poppy seeds.
  5. Bake – Pour into a loaf pan (optional, sprinkle sugar on top). Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

Are you on the list? Get your free copy the ebook 10 Sweet Bread Recipes!

Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (7)
Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (8)

Tips

  • Don’t Overfill Your Loaf Pan– Fill 2/3 full to compensate for rise.
  • Use the Toothpick Test – Oven temperatures can vary. Insert a toothpick into the center. When it comes out clean it is done.
  • Use the Correct Loaf Pan– Learn more aboutLoaf Pan Sizeshere.
  • Soak Poppy Seeds – To maximize poppy seed flavor, simply warm the milk and soak poppy seeds in a small bowl for 30 minutes. It softens the coating and releases even more flavor when baking. Then, add that milk and poppy seed mixture in as directed.
  • Toast Poppy Seeds – Alternatively, you can toast poppy seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Then fold is as directed.
Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (9)

Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this free printableMeasurement Conversion Chart!

Baking Alternatives

  • Mini Loaves– Try this recipe in mini loaf pans, perfect for gifting! Bake 40 minutes for 6 miniature loaf pans or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
  • Make Muffins– If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins andfill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
  • Make it Ornate– Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (10)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Poppy Seeds Healthy?

Yes! They offer so much more than a little flavorful crunch. They are also jam-packed with nutrients!
Poppy seeds are a source of iron, zinc, calcium and more! This probably means we should all make poppy seed bread more often, right?

Is poppy seed bread sweet or savory?

This poppy seed bread is a sweet quick bread, and it does contain a significant amount of sugar for sweetening.

Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (11)

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – Store quick breadin a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrapat room temperature for up to five days.
  • Refrigerate – Up to one week in an airtight container.
  • Freeze – Wrap them tightly in heavy foil, saran wrap or place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least two to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to three months. Bring to room temperature to serve.

For more tips and tricks to store quick breads and keep them as fresh as the day they were baked, don’t skipHow to Store Banana Bread.

Dietary Considerations

  • Vegetarian
  • Nut Free
  • To Make Gluten Free – Substitute with a 1:1 gluten free flour alternative.
Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (12)

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Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (17)

5 from 5 votes

Classic Poppy Seed Bread

By Julie Blanner

This poppy seed bread recipe is dense, decadent, and so simple to make. The addition of poppy seeds give this quick bread recipe a nutty, delicate texture your family will love!

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 40 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 24

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Grease 6 mini loaf pans and preheat oven to 350°F.

  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.

  • Add egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Blend until just combined.

  • Fold in poppy seeds.

  • Pour into loaf pans (optional, sprinkle sugar on top). Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Bake for 40 minutes for mini loaves and up to 60 minutes for full size loaf pans.

Julie’s Tips

Substitutions

  • Sugar– Substitute brown sugar for richer flavor.
  • Milk– Use whatever you have on hand from skim to Vitamin D, even Almond Milk to make it dairy free.
  • Vegetable Oil– Substitute with canola oil, melted butter or melted coconut oil.

Tips

  • Don’t overfill your loaf pan. Allow room to compensate for rise.
  • Use the toothpick test to ensure it’s ready. Oven temperatures can vary. Insert a toothpick into the center. When it comes out clean it is done.

Maximize Poppyseed Flavor

  • Soaking Poppy Seeds– Warm the milk and soak poppy seeds in a small bowl for 30 minutes. It softens the coating and releases even more flavor when baking. Then, add that milk and poppy seed mixture in as directed.
  • Toast Poppy Seeds –Toast poppyseeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Then fold is as directed.

Baking Alternatives

  • Large Loaves – Two – one pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just one loaf pan and bake 50-60 minutes or until it a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
  • Make Muffins– Grease miniature muffin tins andfill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
  • Make it Ornate– Bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!

Variations

  • Add a GlazeGlaze, Cream Cheese Glaze,Orange Glaze RecipeorLemon Glaze
  • Add Fruits– Add 1/2 cup dried or 1 cup fresh apples, cranberries, strawberries, oranges
  • Add Nuts– Add 3/4 cup walnuts, pecans or candied nuts
  • Add Chocolate Chips
  • Experiment with Extracts– Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla,lemonoralmondextract

To Store

  • Room Temperature– Store quick breadin a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrapat room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Refrigerate– Up to 1 week in an airtight container.
  • Freeze– Wrap them tightly in heavy foil, saran wrap or place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature to serve.

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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4 Comments

  1. Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (21)
    Thank you for this wonderful bread recipe. It’s simple and taste so good! My kids loved it.

    Reply

  2. Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (22)
    Absolutely fantastic! The loaf came out soft and delicious!!!

    Reply

  3. Hi! Sounds so yummy! How much extract? Bake at 350? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Yes, at 350 and 1 tablespoon of extract should you choose to add. Enjoy!

      Reply

Classic Poppy Seed Bread Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

Why do you have to soak poppy seeds before baking? ›

At least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before making the batter, stir the poppy seeds into 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot water (this step softens the poppy seeds so they are more digestible). Let sit at room temperature. Then strain.

How do you stick poppy seeds to bread? ›

For some breads, you can use an egg wash as the glue; the seeds will stick to it. But not all breads benefit from an egg wash; crusty loaves that bake at a high temperature, for example. In those cases, the best way to get the seeds to stick is simple: Just add water. For the seediest crust, just add water.

Do you put seeds on bread before or after baking? ›

Be sure to use raw seeds as a topping. Toasting seeds amplifies their flavor, but because the seeds will be on the exterior of your dough, they will toast as the loaf is baking in the oven. Toasting them before topping your dough will likely cause them to burn in the oven.

Are poppy seed rolls healthy? ›

These no-bake Poppy Seed Rolls have pretty much no expiry date, a dough that's made of dates and nuts, and a filling made with sweet vanilla poppy seed jam. Which also means they're vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, full of protein and super healthy.

What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? ›

No, we don't find it necessary to soak poppy seeds before adding them to this recipe. What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? Failing to soak poppy seeds won't affect the taste of your bread or other baked goods. However, soaking them in water can help remove their hard outer shell, making them easier to digest.

Should poppy seeds be toasted before baking? ›

Many bakers are used to toasting nuts and sesame seeds before baking them, and poppies are no different. “Since the temperature of most finished doughs doesn't exceed 210ºF,” says Pellicano, “I usually toast the seeds first in a 300ºF oven.

What do you brush bread with before baking? ›

Egg wash is a mix of beaten whole egg and water (or milk or cream), which is used to brush onto the top of baked goods before baking. The purpose of egg wash is to provide a nice golden brown, shiny finish on your baking. I use this egg wash for pie crust, or this also makes a great egg wash for bread recipes.

What do you sprinkle on bread before baking? ›

Topping bread dough with seeds and grains is a simple and effective way to increase the nutrition, flavor, and texture in a baked loaf of bread.

Can I just add seeds to bread dough? ›

For seeds, and harder nuts like almonds, I definitely recommend soaking them in warm water for at least an hour (or 2 if you remember!) before adding them into your bread dough. Just like dried fruit, I soak them, strain them, then dimple them into the dough after the autolyse.

How long do you soak seeds before baking in bread? ›

Most seeds are absorbent and can make a dough and bread too dry if you don't account for their thirstiness. You can soak seeds overnight, strain them, and add them to a bread dough during mixing (easiest) or during an early round of stretching and folding the dough (better gluten development).

What are the best seeds to put in homemade bread? ›

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants, flax seeds are not only great for your heart health but also add a great nutty flavor. Sunflower seeds are a versatile addition that brings a subtle nuttiness and a delightful crunch to your bread. These seeds are rich in vitamin E, healthy fats, and magnesium.

What are the best seeds for homemade bread? ›

Bread immediately comes to mind.
  • Sesame Seeds. Oil-rich sesame seeds with a nutty taste come in several different colours and are extremely rich in properties that protect against heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. ...
  • Linseed – Flaxseed. ...
  • Chia Seeds. ...
  • Pumpkin Seeds. ...
  • Poppy Seeds.

Is poppy seeds good for high blood pressure? ›

The presence of oleic acid in poppy seeds actively helps in normalizing the blood pressure levels and keeps it under check. It is extremely pivotal in both high and low blood pressure conditions.

Is poppy seeds good for liver? ›

Health benefits of poppy seeds

“Manganese is a trace mineral with lots of benefits,” says Silverman. “It helps with bone health, bone mineral density, and blood clotting.” It's also associated with proper liver function and nutrient metabolism, Silverman adds.

Why do bakers use poppy seeds? ›

Poppy seeds perform several functions in baked goods such as: Flavor: provide a rich nutty flavor, may be intensified by toasting. Aroma: provide a mild nutty aroma. Texture: contributes a crunchy texture.

What is the purpose of soaking the poppy seeds? ›

​​Poppy seeds​

Poppy seeds are excellent for shedding pounds since they are high in vitamin B, folate, and thiamine. Their hard exterior is softened by soaking, allowing the release of their distinct flavouring ingredients to be made easier.

How do you soak poppy seeds quickly? ›

Using the water, milk, or oil from the recipe (that's key) soak the poppy seeds thoroughly. That now becomes your poppy seed mixture. The recipe above calls for 1 to 2 hours. The warmer the milk or water, the quicker that process will take place (some recipes call for 30 minutes, but I'd go at least 1 hour).

Should you soak seeds before baking? ›

Soaking seeds and grains (especially grains) before you bake with them is important for many reasons: 1. It makes them soft so they are more pleasant in the mouth and easier to chew completely so they won't break your teeth, take out your fillings, and are easier to digest. 2.

Is it safe to bake with poppy seeds? ›

Before Papaver somniferum seeds can be used in baking, they are carefully dried and prepared. This process also removes the possibility of serious side effects by greatly reducing the amount of the opium alkaloid they contain that allows them to be legally used in your kitchen.

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