Bread Dad
menu icon
search icon
×

Bread Making Tools & Baking Equipment

This page lists the essential bread making equipment & baking tools that people need in order to make great tasting homemade bread, banana bread, bread machine pizza, etc. It covers tools such as baguette pans, bread slicers, bread machines, scoring knives (lames), bread thermometers & much more.

Bread Making Equipment

As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. At no extra cost to you, we make a small commission if you buy products via the links below.

Books – Great recipes & super informative “how to” books are always essential in the kitchen.

Essential Bread Making & Baking Tools

  • Airtight Food Containers – These airtight containers are designed to protect your food & recipe ingredients from pests, moisture and air oxidization.
  • Aprons – A classic baking “tool” for keeping your clothes clean when in the kitchen.
  • Baking Mats – Baking mats are large nonstick baking “pads” used for rolling out dough, etc. They give you more room to “operate” versus smaller cutting boards. Also since they are usually nonstick, baking mats improve clean ups, etc.
  • Baguette Pans – Baguette pans are used to help create perfectly shaped baguettes. They enable the baguettes to remain in a nice round shape during baking (versus ending up with flat bottoms).
  • Baking Parchment Paper – Baking parchment paper reduces the need to grease the bottom of bread pans, cookie sheets, etc. They help you to lift out baked goods with less potential damage. You might also want to look at related items such as paper muffin cups.
  • Baking Sheets – Baking sheets can be used for making cookies, French bread, artisan bread, etc.
  • Bread Bags – Bread bags are used to store bread and protect bread from dust, moisture, etc.
  • Bread Baskets – Serve your delicious creations in an attractive bread basket.
  • Bread Boxes – Bread boxes help for short-term storage of homemade bread. However, for long-term storage, you should freeze your bread.
  • Bread Knives – Bread knives are useful for easily cutting bread slices for sandwiches, breakfast toast, etc.
  • Bread Machines – Bread machines simplify bread making at home because you do not have to knead the bread, use an oven, etc. You can also use bread machines to make banana bread, pizza dough, etc.
  • Bread Making Kits – These specialized kits come with many of the tools needed to make sourdough bread, baguettes, etc.
  • Bread Mixes – Bread mixes are packaged ingredient kits that allow you to easily make unique breads such as San Francisco Sourdough Style Bread, Country Farm White Bread, Honey Oat Bread, Deli-Style Rye Bread and California Raisin Gourmet Bread.
  • Bread Pans (8.5″ by 4.5″) – 8.5 by 4.5 inch bread pans are often used for making smaller sandwich-type bread loaves (i.e. white bread) in the oven. Always check a recipe’s equipment section in order to determine the appropriate sized bread pan to use for that specific recipe.
  • Bread Pans (9″ by 5″) – 9 by 5 inch bread pans are used for making sandwich bread as well as “quick breads” (such as banana bread). Always check a recipe’s equipment section in order to determine the appropriate sized bread pan to use for that specific recipe.
  • Bread Proofing Baskets – Bread proofing baskets help to shape your bread.
  • Bread Slicers – If you want to make perfect bread slices (not too wide or too thin) when cutting up your homemade bread… then you should try a bread slicer. This kitchen tool helps to create uniform-sized bread slices.
  • Bread Thermometers – These digital tools allow you to measure the internal temperature of your baked bread. They help to tell if the bread has been baked enough & this can save you from undercooked bread interiors.
  • Cast Iron Bread Pans & Pots – An old fashioned way to make great bread.
  • Cooling Racks – You need to place your hot finished bread on cooling racks in order to “cool down” and let moisture escape from the bread. Otherwise, your bread will have a soggy bottom. This is another essential bread making tool for a beginner bread maker.
  • Cutting Boards – Cutting boards allow you to cut your bread without damaging the underlying table or counter. You can use wood cutting boards or plastic cutting boards.
  • Dough Hooks – Dough hooks turn electric stand mixers into fantastic kneading machines. Great for making homemade bread. Just make sure that you buy a dough hook that will fit your electric mixer!
  • Dough Mixers – Some people like to use just a dough mixer in order to create the perfect dough. Dough mixers save you the work of mixing & kneading the recipe ingredients.
  • Dough Scrapers – Dough scrapers are tools used to scrape the bread dough off a kitchen surface (i.e. cutting board or counter top) and to slice the dough.
  • Dough Whisks – Dough whisks help you to mix flour & water together before you start kneading. Specially designed for bread dough. Also known as a Danish dough whisk or Danish whisk.
  • Dutch Ovens – Dutch ovens are often used by bakers because it offers an environment where the dough is steamed as it bakes. This results in an improved crust.
  • Electric Hand Mixer – These inexpensive tools for used for mixing cookie dough, etc. They are more “handy” (portable) than larger stand mixers.
  • Flour Sifters – Flour sifters help to strain out flour clumps, etc.
  • Food Storage Containers – These containers help you to store your flour, sugar & other pantry essentials. They also reduce potential contamination from insects, moisture, dust, etc.
  • French Bread Pans (Baguette Pans) – This baking tool helps you to make nice round French bread loaves (baguettes).
  • Grater – Shredded vegetables, cheese, etc. are used as ingredients in some recipes. For example, we use a grater to shred the zucchini used in our Bread Machine Zucchini Bread recipe.
  • Italian Bread Pans – Similar to baguette pans, Italian bread pans help to create round Italian bread loaves.
  • Kitchen Scales – Many Europeans use kitchen scales in order to accurate measure ingredients. This results in less ingredient “measuring” errors and thus less bread & baking failures.
  • Kneading Machines – If you want to make more exotic shaped bread… okay non-block shaped bread :), you can use your hands or a kneading machine in order to knead your bread dough before you bake it in your oven. You can also use most bread machines in order to knead bread dough.
  • Lames – A lame is a professional tool used to “score” the tops of breads in order to avoid uncontrolled cracks.
  • Loaf Liners – Think of these as muffin liners but for bread. They make lifting baked goods out of a bread pan much easier (esp. for “sticky” things such as chocolate chip banana bread). They reduce the chance that the baked good will get stuck to the bottom of the bread pan.
  • Measuring Cups – Accurate bread measuring tools (i.e. cups & spoons) makes for better breads. Just winging the measurements results in more bread failures (i.e. bread craters).
  • Measuring Spoons – These spoons will help you to follow the recipe by giving you the exact measurements for teaspoons, tablespoons, etc. This is essential bread making equipment for a beginner bread maker.
  • Mixers (Electric Hand Mixers) – Mixers will help you to make better cookies, cakes, etc. They ensure that everything is mixed properly and you don’t find any unwanted flour or baking soda “clumps”. You also get “creamier” cookie doughs, etc.
  • Mixers (Electric Stand Mixers) – Electric stand mixers are often used when making larger batches of bread dough, cookie batter, etc.
  • Mixing Bowls – Usually you just add of the ingredients to the bread machine and it does all of the work mixing the ingredients. However, occasionally you will need large mixing bowls if you are transferring the dough to the oven (i.e. you want to create a loaf without the bread machine mixer “hole”).
  • Oven Mitts – You need good oven mitts because the bread machine “bucket” is extremely hot when you take the finished bread out of the bread machine. Good oven mitts are one of the essential kitchen items and bread making tools.
  • Oven Thermometers – Oven thermometers are used to ensure that your oven has reached the right temperature called for a recipe. Many ovens are off by 20-50 degrees F and this can result in over & undercooked baking. An oven thermometer helps you to determine & adjust your oven’s actual temperature in order to meet the recipe’s requirements.
  • Pastry Brushes – Pastry brushes are used for coating your bread dough with olive oil, melted butter, etc.
  • Rolling Pins – Rolling pins help to “roll out” dough in order to make pie crusts, pastries, pizzas, etc.
  • Scales – Food scales allow for exact measurement of ingredients. Scales tend to be used more in Europe (for more accurate measurements) versus cup and spoon measurements in the USA.
  • Scoring Knives – If you want to “score” your bread (cut the top of the dough in order to prevent cracks during the baking process or to add interesting designs to the top of your bread), you should use a sharp knife or professional bread scoring tool (bread lame).
  • Serrated Bread Knives – These knives help to cut the bread into perfect slices versus unserrated knives that can crush or squeeze the bread loaf while cutting.
  • Sourdough Kits – These kits have many of the things needed to make great sourdough bread.
  • Sourdough Starter Jars – These jars & containers help you to monitor the growth of your sourdough starter.
  • Spatulas (Silicone) – You will need flexible spatulas to occasionally clean off the mixture from the sides of the bread loaf pan during the bread machine mixing stages. You will need flexible spatulas (i.e. silicone) so they do not scratch the interior of the bread pan. This is essential bread making equipment for a beginner bread maker.
  • Spice Racks – Variety is the “spice” of life. These spice racks will help you to efficiently store a wide range of spices (i.e. cinnamon, rosemary, onion powder and Italian herbs) that you can use to create different tasting breads (i.e. Italian herb bread).
  • Square Glass Baking Pan – Square pans are great for baking quick bread recipes such as cornbread.
  • Timers – These essential baking tools are large kitchen “alarm clocks” that help to warn you when to remove the bread from the oven, ensure the proper time has passed for the dough rising, etc. Much better than using your dough covered hands to mess with the timer on your phone!
  • Toothpick Test/Wooden Skewers – I like to use long wooden skewers when doing the classic “toothpick” test to see if a banana bread is completely baked. I find regular toothpicks too short especially with bread machines.
  • Vegetable Choppers & Dicers – These tools help to slice & dice vegetables. Useful for things such as dicing jalapenos for a jalapeno cornbread recipe.
  • Whisks – Whisks are used for creating whipped products such as whipped cream. Whipped cream is a great topping for many baked goods. You can also buy whisk attachments for electric mixers.
  • Wooden Spoons – I like to use a large wooden spoon for stirring dough & batter.

Related Baking Tools

  • Cake Pans & Shapers – These pans & shapers will help to you to make traditional round cakes or fun holiday cake shapes (i.e. Christmas tree cakes).
  • Cookie Cutters – Have fun with your kids and make your cookies into unusual shapes (i.e. dinosaurs, hearts or Christmas trees).
  • Cookie Dough Scoops – These scoops help you to make cookie dough “balls” so all of your baked cookies come out the right size.
  • Muffin Baking Trays – Great for banana bread muffins, pumpkin muffins, cornbread muffins, etc.
  • Muffin Paper Baking Cups & Liners – Paper baking cups & liners help you to easily remove muffins from muffin trays (with less “breakage”).
  • Pizza Paddles – Move your homemade pizza around with pizza paddles (large spatulas).
  • Pizza Pans – Bake your homemade pizza easily in a round pizza pan.
  • Pizza Wheel Cutters – Slice up your homemade pizza with pizza wheel cutters.

Other Useful Kitchen Items

  • Air Fryers – A very popular tool for “healthier” frying.
  • Breakfast Sandwich Makers – These appliances help you to easily make things such as egg & sausage breakfast sandwiches.
  • Burger Makers – These tools help you to make the perfect burger at home.
  • Coffee Makers – I like to have toasted homemade bread with some homemade coffee in the morning.
  • Convection Ovens – Convections ovens are great for small kitchens.
  • Deep Fryers – Deep fryers can be used for fried goods such as donuts or French fries.
  • Donut Makers – Make your own delicious homemade donuts.
  • Food Processors – These are great for chopping up ingredients for your baked goods.
  • Ice Cream Makers – You can’t have your cookies without some delicious homemade ice cream!
  • Indoor Grills – Grill up some meat in order to make delicious homemade sandwiches.
  • Microwaves – Microwaves are essential warming devices for all kitchens.
  • Panini Grills – If you want to make hot & toasty sandwiches, panini grills are a great addition to your kitchen. Panini grills are also known as panini presses.
  • Pizza Ovens – Specialized ovens used to easily bake the perfect pizza at home.
  • Rice Cookers
  • Slow Cookers – These appliances are perfect for stews, chilis, etc.
  • Toasters – Toasted bread makes a delicious & warm sandwich!
  • Toaster Ovens – Toaster ovens are great at baking or warming smaller items versus using a huge & expensive oven.
  • Waffle Makers
  • Warming Trays – Keep your amazing culinary creations warm by placing them on a warming tray as you serve a large dinner or buffet.

Reference Sources