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If you’ve been feeding your potato flake sourdough starter and are ready to bake something soft, buttery, and absolutely delicious, this Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread is the perfect recipe.

It’s one of my favorites to make each week because the texture is light, airy, slightly sweet, and slices beautifully for sandwiches, toast, grilled cheese, and more.

Unlike traditional sourdough bread that relies on wild yeast and long fermentation, potato flake starter creates a mild, soft flavor with zero tang. That makes it ideal for families who want homemade bread without the sourness.

Let’s bake a loaf that will become a weekly staple in your kitchen!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultra-soft texture — the potato flakes give the bread a pillowy interior.
• Mild flavor — perfect for kids and picky eaters.
• Easy to work with — no long cold-ferments or complex shaping.
• Great for meal prep — stays fresh longer thanks to the potato starter.

🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Bread Dough

• 1 cup active potato flake sourdough starter (fed 4–12 hours before baking)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup oil (vegetable or light olive oil)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

For Brushing (optional)

• 1 tablespoon melted butter

🍞 How to Make Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread

1. Mix the Dough

In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine:

• Active potato flake starter
• Warm water
• Sugar
• Oil
• Salt

Add all 6 cups of flour at once and stir with a wooden spoon. I like to use my plastic Tupperware bowl for this purpose because nothing sticks to the inside. You can use any kind of bowl you like just don't use a metal bowl.

2. Knead the Dough

Knead for 8–10 minutes on low speed or by hand until smooth and elastic.

A good test: press the dough lightly with your finger—if it springs back, it’s ready!

3. First Rise

Place the dough into a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel.
Let rise in a warm place for 1½–2 hours, or until doubled in size. Sometimes I have to place mine in the oven with the oven light on. If not, it can take 4-6 hours for it to proof.

4. Shape the Loaf

Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Shape into a loaf by rolling it tightly and tucking in the edges. This recipe will make 3 small loaves or 2 larger loaves.

Place into a greased standard 9×5 loaf pan.

5. Second Rise

Cover again and let rise for 45–60 minutes until the loaf crowns over the pan by about 1 inch.

6. Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

7. Brush & Cool

For extra softness, brush the warm loaf with melted butter.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

🥪 Tips for the Best Potato Flake Sourdough Bread

Use active starter

Feed your potato flake starter 4–12 hours before baking. It should be bubbly, sweet-smelling, and active.

Don’t add too much flour

The secret to soft bread is a slightly tacky dough. Too much flour = dry, dense bread.

Let it cool before slicing

As tempting as it is, slicing hot bread compresses the crumb.

🌟 Variations

• Honey Sandwich Bread – replace sugar with ⅓ cup honey.
• Whole Wheat Version – use 2 cups whole wheat flour + 3 cups all-purpose.
• Cinnamon Swirl Bread – roll dough with cinnamon sugar before shaping.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is potato flake sourdough real sourdough?

Yes—it's a wild-yeast starter! It just produces a mild, soft flavor instead of tangy sourness.

Why is my bread dense?

Most likely the dough was too dry or under-kneaded. Start with less flour and build up as needed.

Can I freeze it?

Absolutely. Wrap in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months.

🍽️ How to Serve Your Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread

This loaf is perfect for:

• Peanut butter & jelly
• Chicken salad sandwiches
• Grilled cheese
• French toast
• Breakfast toast with butter and jam — my Christmas jam goes great this time of year!
• Turkey sandwiches

It’s one of those breads that fits into every meal.

Love bread recipes? Check out these yummy variations!

• Sourdough Italian Bread
• Homemade Hamburger Buns
• Homemade Honey Wheat Bread