11 Amish Friendship Bread Sourdough Sandwich Bread Recipes

What is it about homemade sandwich bread? The smell, the crunchy crusts with a soft, warm centers?

“Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.”
—JAMES BEARD

For decades, Amish Friendship Bread bakers have been using their starters to make the sweet cinnamon-sugar loaves that could be easily made and shared with others. But at the Friendship Bread Kitchen, you know how much we love to find new ways to use your starter. We’ve figured out a few ways for you to your use Amish Friendship Bread starter with these popular artisan and sandwich bread recipes. Having a picnic out at the park and need some Basic White Bread for your PB&J’s? Or maybe you’re making a delicious soup for dinner and want to serve a Crusty Artisan Bread on the side? What about using this Sourdough Tomato Amish Friendship Bread for a grilled cheese? Whatever the occasion, we have you covered!

Love, love, love this bread! Making bread it is almost a spiritual thing with me. Thank you.

Jan on Irish Soda Amish Friendship Bread

What is an “active starter” and why do you need it for these bread recipes?

Making traditional breads with your Amish Friendship Bread starter is very different from making most of the other recipes on the site. Unlike a quick bread, cake or cookie recipe, these sandwich bread recipes require an active, thriving starter.

While some of these recipes include additional yeast, most of our bread recipes rely on the starter do the heavy lifting (leavening, that is) in rising the dough. Similar to a traditional sourdough starter, your Amish Friendship Bread starter needs to be fed at the correct ratios and properly maintained. If your starter is only slightly bubbly, you will most likely end up with a bread that doesn’t rise, which is always a big bummer after all the time and preparation it takes to make a loaf or two of bread.

Is your starter active? This means not just bubbly, but almost doubling in size when you feed it, usually right before you plan to bake. This is usually the same day you feed your starter (within 4-12 hours). Timing is crucial in these recipes, so make sure your kitchen is warm, your starter is extra happy, and you have everything you need before starting the recipe. Now onto the recipes!

Our Top Artisan and Sandwich Bread Recipes

1. Amish Friendship Bread No-Knead Sourdough Bread

We hard to start with one of our best (and easiest) artisan breads. Not only is this bread amazingly delicious, but it only takes about 20 minutes to mix together (and then you just have to be patient and let it rise).

I make this bread every time I make the starter. A fabulous recipe and boy does it taste good.

Linda on Amish Friendship Bread No-Knead Sourdough Bread

2. Crusty Artisan Amish Friendship Bread

This crusty artisan Amish Friendship Bread will remind you of your favorite sourdough bread, with a slightly sweet tang from your Amish Friendship Bread starter. This is a bread to add to your favorites.

This is the second time I am making this bread, and it is a keeper! I made it at Thanksgiving with great reviews and am again making for Christmas. Great chew and texture. Beautiful colored bread.

Kari on Crusty Artisan Amish Friendship Bread

3. Scallion Skillet Amish Friendship Bread

Have you ever wondered if you could make an Amish Friendship Bread in a cast iron pan? Well, here’s your answer! This Scallion Skillet Amish Friendship Bread goes great with soup.

I made the bread and boy, it sure didn’t need any more leavening! It’s beautiful, can’t wait to eat it!

Ann on Scallion Skillet Amish Friendship Bread

4. Basic White Amish Friendship Bread

One of our favorite recipes by far, this Basic White Bread will fulfill any and every bread need you may have. Sandwiches, toast, grilled cheese, you name it!

I made this over this weekend. It was absolutely incredible!

Mary-Alice on Basic White Amish Friendship Bread

5. Potato Flake Amish Friendship Bread

To our potato flake starter bakers, we haven’t forgot about you. This Potato Flake Amish Friendship Bread is super versatile. You can make it into loaves, rolls, or even hotdog buns.

My family loves this bread and recently I used it to make hamburger buns and hot dog buns!! Yummy!

Linda on Potato Flake Amish Friendship Bread

6. Whole Wheat Amish Friendship Bread

Looking for something a little more wholesome? This whole wheat artisan Amish Friendship Bread is a great alternative. And, if you want to cut down on the sugar even more, you can half the amount of sugar you add to Day 6 and Day 10 of your starter.

This is a wonderful recipe. Cutting the sugar to two tablespoons instead of 1/4 cup gives just enough sweet for everyday bread.

Bessy on Whole Wheat Bread

7. Irish Soda Amish Friendship Bread

This Irish Soda Amish Friendship Bread is a great recipe to start with if you haven’t done too much traditional bread-making. There is no additional kneading required, only a little bit of patience.

I have never had any kind of Irish soda bread, so didn’t really know what to expect. Well, let me tell you, it’s delicious! Super easy to make which is nice as I’m still a novice bread maker. I’ll definitely be making this again and not just on St. Patrick’s Day!

Chris on Irish Soda Amish Friendship Bread

8. Sweet White Amish Friendship Bread

Think of warm, buttered toast in the mornings with a steaming cup of coffee (or tea). Try it with our homemade marmalade glaze for just the right amount of sweetness.

This bread is delicious! I baked three loaves today.

Valerie on Sweet White Amish Friendship Bread

9. Rustic Potato Artisan Amish Friendship Bread

This Rustic Potato Amish Friendship Bread is another favorite for sandwich bread. The potatoes add a delicious soft texture on the inside with a delightful crust on the outside.

I made this today and it was really tasty! 

Sarah on Rustic Potato Amish Friendship Bread

10. Rustic Sourdough Amish Friendship Bread

This Rustic Artisan Amish Friendship Bread hits the spot. And if you want to bring out more of the sourdough tang, you can omit the sugar in the recipe. As a sandwich bread, it slices beautifully.

So yummie and so easy!!

Gina on Rustic Sourdough Amish Friendship Bread

11. Sourdough Tomato Amish Friendship Bread

This Sourdough Tomato Amish Friendship Bread is a great savory sandwich bread option. The acidity from the tomatoes pairs well with a dash of Italian seasoning. A great option for a side at dinner or lunchtime grilled cheese sandwiches.

This is a delicious bread, and it was the first bread I have ever made. Directions are excellent also. Give this one a try!

Debbie on Sourdough Tomato Amish Friendship Bread

Need additional help with making your sourdough bread?

It’s important to mention that bread baking is an art form. It needs both patience and attention, and as any seasoned bread baker will tell you, you will probably have the occasional fail, or multiple fails, especially in the beginning. Don’t lose heart! The culprit could be the starter, but it could also be your oven, the kneading, the rising, the ingredients. It could be the temperature in your kitchen. Once you have it figured out, you’ll be on a roll (ha ha). But seriously, be open to experimentation and tweaking, learning and perfecting. You’ll be happy to you did!

If you gave a recipe your best shot but still had problems, these resources might help:

• FAQ – Why Didn’t My Bread or Dough Rise?
• FAQ – Is My Baking Powder or Baking Soda Fresh?
• Tutorial – How to Get a Bubbly, Active Amish Friendship Bread Sourdough Starter
• Tutorial – How to Test or Proof Your Yeast for Freshness

What about you?

We’d love to hear how your recipe turned out, or better yet, post a picture and tag us on Facebook, post your gorgeous photos on our private Facebook Group Page, or ping us on Pinterest or Instagram. Enjoy!