🍞 Ancient Einkorn Sourdough Bread Recipe (Step by Step)

If you have ever wondered how to make true ancient bread at home, this einkorn sourdough recipe is a beautiful place to start. Einkorn is one of the oldest forms of wheat, and when combined with natural fermentation, it creates a deeply flavorful and nourishing loaf.

This method walks you through exactly how to work with einkorn, which behaves differently than modern wheat, so you can get a soft interior and a well-structured loaf without frustration.

👉 Watch the full step by step video tutorial here:
How to Make Ancient Bread with Einkorn video

Everything I use for baking einkorn sourdough is linked on my Shop My Tools page here.
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission. I only recommend products I use and love. 

🌾 What Is Ancient Einkorn Bread

Ancient einkorn bread is made using einkorn wheat, one of the oldest cultivated grains. Unlike modern wheat, einkorn has a simpler gluten structure and is often easier for people to digest when properly fermented.

Because einkorn has not been hybridized like modern wheat, it retains a rich flavor and different baking properties. This means your dough will feel softer and more delicate, but with the right technique, it produces an incredible loaf.

🥣 Ingredients for Einkorn Sourdough Bread

• Fresh milled einkorn flour or store bought einkorn flour – 720 grams whole grain einkorn flour

• Active sourdough starter – 220 grams – the day before give it a morning feeding of 48 grams whole grain einkorn flour and 30 grams warm filtered water and in the evening give it 96 grams whole grain einkorn flour with 60 grams warm water. After you use the starter to feed the dough then give it 48 grams whole grain einkorn flour and 30 grams warm filtered water.

• Warm, filtered water – 455 grams

• Salt – 15 gramsFor the book that holds this recipe, I bought this book that contains this recipe and is all about baking and cooking with Einkorn.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Ancient Einkorn Sourdough Bread

1. Mix the Dough

Combine your sourdough starter, water, and einkorn flour until fully incorporated. Einkorn dough will feel softer and slightly stickier than traditional dough.

2. Rest and Hydrate

Let the dough rest so the flour fully absorbs the water. This helps improve structure and makes the dough easier to work with.

3. Gentle Stretch and Folds

Instead of aggressive kneading, use gentle stretch and folds to build strength. Einkorn does not require as much handling as modern wheat.

4. Bulk Fermentation

Allow the dough to ferment until slightly puffy. Because einkorn ferments faster, keep an eye on it so it does not overproof.

5. Shape the Dough

Shape gently to avoid deflating the dough. Einkorn is more delicate, so light handling is key.

6. Final Proof and Bake

Let the dough rest, then bake in a hot oven until golden brown and fully set.

💡 Tips for Baking with Einkorn Flour

• Einkorn absorbs water differently, so do not over add flour

• The dough will feel softer than traditional bread dough

• Less kneading is better

• Watch fermentation closely because it can move faster

• Bake until fully set to avoid a gummy texture

❓ Why Einkorn Sourdough Is Different from Modern Wheat

Einkorn sourdough behaves differently because the gluten structure is weaker and more fragile than modern wheat. This means you cannot treat it the same way as regular bread dough.

However, when handled correctly, einkorn creates a tender crumb, rich flavor, and a more traditional bread experience that reflects how bread was made centuries ago.

🍞 Why People Choose Ancient Bread

Many people are drawn to ancient grains like einkorn because:

• It is less processed than modern wheat

• It has a rich, nutty flavor

• It pairs well with natural fermentation

• Some find it easier to digest

🛒 Tools I Use for Einkorn Sourdough

👉 Grain mill
👉 Dutch oven
👉 Banneton basket
👉 Bench scraper – plastic and stainless steel 
👉 Digital thermometer

👉 You can find all of my recommended tools here

❓ Ancient Einkorn Bread FAQ

👉 What is einkorn flour?

Einkorn flour is made from one of the oldest wheat varieties and has a simpler gluten structure than modern wheat.

👉 Is einkorn sourdough easier to digest?

Many people find einkorn sourdough bread easier to digest because of its simpler gluten and the fermentation process.

👉 Why is my einkorn dough sticky?

Einkorn dough is naturally softer and stickier than modern wheat dough. This is normal and should not be corrected by adding too much flour.

👉 Can beginners make einkorn sourdough?

Yes, this ancient bread recipe is beginner friendly when you follow the steps and handle the dough gently.

💛 Final Thoughts

Baking ancient einkorn sourdough bread is a slower, more intentional process, but the results are worth it. Once you understand how einkorn behaves, it becomes one of the most rewarding grains to bake with.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out!

Happy Baking ~ Ashley