Thermomix Sourdough: Make Real Sourdough Bread in Your Thermomix {without yeast}

Making Thermomix sourdough allows you to use your Thermomix to knead sourdough bread.

No matter which Thermomix model you own, this guide to making sourdough bread in a Thermomix will see you baking a successful loaf every single time!

This is a true sourdough recipe using a Thermomix - there is no commercial yeast added.

Thermomix sourdough uses a sourdough starter - you can find the instructions to make one here.

If you're wanting to make sourdough in a stand mixer, this guide will be helpful.

Thermomix Sourdough Bread Recipe

When I started my journey into sourdough, I always mixed it by hand - I liked to get a feel for the dough and developing my intuition with each stage. Since starting this blog and my Sourdough Facebook Group I've been asked multiple times how to use a Thermomix to make sourdough.

At first I resisted - seriously who wants sticky dough stuck on Thermomix blades, right? But I thought, what the hell, maybe I should try it. And so I have spent several weeks testing out different techniques. I've tested this recipe many, many times and it works really well. So in order to help other Thermomix owners enter the world of sourdough, I've decided to share this method with you.

I've even discovered that the blades don't get that sticky and are quite easily cleaned. Who would have thought?

Why Use Your Thermomix to Make Sourdough Bread?

Using your Thermomix means you don't have to handle the dough really at all until the shaping stage.

This hands off approach won't suit everyone - and to be honest - I still love to hand mix my dough - but using your Thermomix will:

• save you time at the beginning of the process;

• allow you to develop the gluten network more quickly;

• keep your hands clean;

• allow you to have a more hands off approach.

There are many people who say that there is no need to knead sourdough (haha) and you know what, they are right.

But if you have a Thermomix sitting on the bench, why not use it to your advantage? It will cut down on the time it takes you to produce a loaf of sourdough bread.

Using a Thermomix to knead sourdough bread may also be helpful for people who are unable to use their hands due to a medical condition. A bread machine is also a good option for kneading sourdough bread if you can't do it by hand.

Understand The Process of Making Sourdough Bread

You may have already made sourdough by hand and understand the process.

If you haven't made sourdough by hand, I highly recommend you reading this beginner's guide to baking simple sourdough, which will take you through some of the ins and outs of the process, which are still applicable, even though you are making sourdough in your Thermomix.

Whether you use a machine - or your hands - it's really important to understand why you are doing things and what might happen if things go wrong (and believe me things can go wrong!).

While you are building the sourdough dough in your Thermomix, you will still need to do a bulk ferment, shaping, cold retard and bake the same way as "conventional" sourdough. You'll find a handy glossary of sourdough terminology here.

The Key to Sourdough Success

The absolute most important thing when baking sourdough is to have a super bubbly, active starter.

If you haven’t created a sourdough starter - you’ll find the simple guide to creating yours here. 

If you're having trouble getting your starter to be ready to bake with, check out our troubleshooting guide here.

Having a super active sourdough starter is the very first step in ensuring you get superior oven spring when your sourdough hits the oven. If you are wanting to make your sourdough starter extra sour, you'll find ideas on how to do that here.

Baking Timeline When Making Thermomix Sourdough

When baking sourdough, it's important to create your own baking timeline so that you know what needs to happen when. Planning things makes sure you don't miss a step.

My timeline for Thermomix Sourdough looks something like this - but it's all negotiable.

DAY 1
6.00 am - Feed sourdough starter
10.00 am - Premix and Autolyse in the Thermomix
10.30 am - Mix dough using dough mode until it forms a smooth ball
11.30 am - Place into glass bowl, cover and leave to bulk ferment
9.00 pm - Shape, lift into banneton/bowl & into the fridge for cold ferment

DAY 2
10.00 am - Bake in hot oven
7.00pm - finally cut into delicious sourdough!

If you want more in depth information on creating a sourdough baking timeline, check out my e-book "Scheduling Sourdough".

Thermomix Sourdough Hydration Level

I've made the hydration of this Thermomix Sourdough Loaf around 78%. It has 380g of water plus 100g of starter (so a total of 430g of water).

The Thermomix handles the higher hydration dough very easily. I've added 100g of starter because it does mean that you can ferment this dough a little faster if you need to.

This, together with the faster starter the Thermomix gives you, will allow you bake a loaf somewhat faster than using less starter.

If you prefer to use less starter to increase the sourness of your loaf, you can certainly adjust it to suit your needs.

If you have not made sourdough before - by hand - then I would definitely reduce the water in this recipe a little - so start with 350g and once you're comfortable handling this, then move up gradually to 380g of water.

A little lower hydration will mean that your dough will be a little easier to handle.

What Equipment Will I Need To Make Thermomix Sourdough Bread?

You can make a successful loaf of sourdough with very basic equipment, as well as your Thermomix of course. However, it really does help to have some specialised equipment. Some of my favourite things to use while baking sourdough bread are:

• Glass mixing bowl so you can watch all the action unfold - while you mix it in your Thermomix, you'll still need to ferment your dough in a separate bowl.

• Silicone dough scraper to get the dough out of the glass bowl without losing the precious bubbles.

• Stainless steel bench scraper for easy sourdough shaping.

• Banneton - a shaping basket to maintain your dough shape while cold fermenting.

• Bread Lame for perfect scoring.

• Dutch oven to ensure you get the best possible oven spring and crust.

• Good quality bread knife to ensure easy & consistent slicing of your sourdough bread.

What Else Can I Use My Thermomix For When Making Sourdough Bread?

Your Thermomix is not only useful for mixing your dough when baking sourdough bread, it's also very handy for the following tasks:

• Kitchen scales when feeding your sourdough starter. You can place your jar on the Thermomix lid and use it to weigh your flour and water.

• Grind up your sourdough starter in your Thermomix. Dry your sourdough starter so you have a back up. Your Thermomix will turn it into a powder which is easier to hydrate.

• Milling your own flour for baking sourdough. Milling oats, wheat berries and other whole grains is super simple - and it doesn't get much fresher!

• Baskets as Bannetons - the basket of your Thermomix makes the perfect banneton for a half size loaf. If you have a few baskets you can split the dough into two pieces and shape two smaller loaves. I love to do two smaller loaves to give as gifts - or to keep a little loaf in the freezer.

• You can also make this amazing sourdough pizza dough.

• For 12 delicious sourdough recipes you can easily make in your Thermomix, check out this guide to the best Thermomix Sourdough Recipes.

Making Additions To Thermomix Sourdough Bread

You can easily make additions to Thermomix sourdough bread. You will need to add the flavors or ingredients during the second lot of kneading.

You need to be aware that the blades will chop the ingredients you add during the kneading process. This can be good for things like herbs and nuts. However, you may not want things like raisins or chocolate chips chopped up.

If you do not wish for the sourdough additions to be chopped up, you will need to add the flavors by hand once you remove the sourdough dough from the Thermomix bowl.

You can do this by stretching and folding the dough. You'll find full instructions here.

Some of the flavored sourdough breads I love to make in my Thermomix are Jalapeño Cheese, Lemon and Blueberry and Sourdough Oatmeal Bread.

Resources for Thermomix Sourdough Bread

If you are making sourdough bread in your Thermomix, you might find these resources handy:

• Beginner's Guide to Sourdough Bread
• Banneton Sizing Guide
• Guide to prepping, using, maintaining and storing bannetons
• Scheduling Sourdough - A Guide to Baking Sourdough on Any Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions About Thermomix Sourdough

Further Reading

If you love this Thermomix Sourdough recipe, you might find these ideas helpful:

• Want to shape your sourdough in a batard rather than a boule? You'll find instructions here.

• Want to add some flavors to your sourdough bread? You'll find the ultimate guide to adding flavors to your sourdough bread here.

• Looking for the best Thermomix Sourdough Recipes? You'll find 12 sourdough recipes you can easily make in the Thermomix here.