How to Make Bread in a Wood-Fired Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make Bread: There’s something timeless and deeply satisfying about baking bread (zimoto Cretan bread) in a wood-fired oven. The crackling fire, the rustic flavors, and the ancient techniques come together to create an experience that brings us closer to our culinary heritage. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make bread in a wood-fired oven, accompanied by photos that capture the process.

Zimoto Cretan Bread

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

How to Make Bread: To begin, you’ll need to gather the essential ingredients for your dough:

• 2 kg of whole wheat and 1kg white flour
• 1800-2000 ml of water
• 60 g of salt
• 800-900 gr sourdough
• Optional: a tablespoon of honey or 3 spoonfuls olive oil for added flavor

In traditional bread-making, the quality of the flour is key. Whether you use whole wheat or white flour, make sure it is fresh and finely ground. In our photos, the flour has been carefully sifted and placed in a wooden kneading trough, following an age-old method used by bakers in Crete.

Step 2: Making the Dough

Create a well in the center of your flour, as shown in the first image. This allows you to gradually incorporate water and other ingredients into the flour.

1. Pour some of the water into the well and add the sourdough.
2. Slowly begin to mix the flour with the sourdough and water, gradually adding the remaining water, salt, and optional ingredients like honey or olive oil.
3. Once the ingredients are combined, knead the dough. The second image demonstrates the proper kneading technique. Use your hands (or gloves if preferred) to stretch and fold the dough, developing gluten and ensuring a smooth consistency.

Keep kneading for about 10-15 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic.

Step 3: Letting the Dough Rise

After kneading, place the dough in a warm area and cover it with a clean cloth. Allow it to rise for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This fermentation process is crucial for the development of flavor and texture in the bread.

Step 4: Preparing the Wood-Fired Oven

While your dough is rising, it’s time to prepare the wood-fired oven. As seen in the photos below, you’ll need to light a fire and let it burn down until the oven reaches the desired temperature.

1. Build a fire in the center of the oven using dry hardwood, which burns hotter and cleaner.
2. Once the fire is going strong, allow it to burn down to embers. This can take about an hour.
3. Spread the embers across the oven floor to ensure even heating. The fourth image shows the glowing embers, a sign that your oven is ready for baking.

Step 5: Shaping and Scoring the Dough

Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape it into loaves. Gently shape it into round or oval loaves. Place them on a floured surface and cover them again for a short second rise, about 30-40 minutes.

Before baking, score the tops of the loaves with a sharp knife. This allows the bread to expand properly during baking and gives it that signature artisan look.

Step 6: Baking in the Wood-Fired Oven

Using a wooden peel (or spatula), carefully slide your bread into the preheated oven. The oven should be hot, but not excessively so—typically around 200-250°C (400-475°F).

Close the oven door and let the bread bake for 30-40 minutes. The bread will begin to rise, forming a golden-brown crust. The final image captures the moment the bread is removed from the oven, showcasing a beautifully crisp exterior.

Step 7: Cooling and Enjoying

Once the bread is fully baked, remove it from the oven and place it on a cooling rack or cloth. Allow the bread to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing, as this helps the interior set properly.

Final Thoughts on How to Make Bread

Baking bread in a wood-fired oven is both an art and a deeply rewarding process. The earthy flavor, the crusty exterior, and the soft interior of the bread evoke a sense of tradition. Whether you’re in the heart of Crete or your own backyard, following these steps will bring a little piece of history to your table.

How to Make Bread? Now you know how to make bread! So, next time you’re baking bread, consider using a wood-fired oven for that perfect, rustic touch!

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Photography by P.MAT Creative Agency

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