Easy bread recipes anyone can cook at home

Check out the video above to hear about the easiest breads to bake at home or read on for the recipes.

We're back at it again, baking in lockdown. Stay at home orders and lockdown measures are in place in many different parts of Australia, and so baking is both a comfort and a creative outlet, not to mention it helps us avoid unnecessary trips to the shops.

But while there was a huge interest in sourdough baking in previous lockdowns, what we're seeing this time is that sourdough was a bit of a letdown if you're not a regular baker. Plenty of people found it time-consuming without the pay-off of a spectacular result, leading to frustration and a sense of failure. And that's ok. I'm no good at sourdough either.

What I said last time - and I'd like to say again now - is this; don't start with the hardest trick in the baking repertoire. Sourdough takes patience and time to perfect. Experts spend their whole careers creating and seeking that perfect loaf, so don't be discouraged if your first few attempts didn't go so well.

Instead, I'd suggest starting with something a lot simpler. Here are six easy recipes to get you started.

Two-ingredient flat-bread is a perfect one to kick off. It's made with self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt in equal parts, mixed lightly, rolled out and fried in the pan.

• RECIPE: Two-ingredient flat bread - There's minimal mixing and kneading and very little rising or resting time.

Five-minute banana bread is great when you don't have eggs. The banana acts in place of the eggs and because this is more like a cake than bread, so you don't need to knead or wait for rising.

• RECIPE: Easy 5-minute banana bread recipe

No-knead soda bread is another great recipe because, again, you don't need to knead it much or wait for rising time. It's closer to a damper than a yeasted risen loaf. You can also decorate it and make it look stunning with very little effort.

• RECIPE: Four ingredient no-knead soda bread

Aussie damper is a classic recipe to get the kids involved in. It's ready in less than an hour and you don't need to knead it or wait for it to rise. It's a perfect starting point and a classic part of Australian baking history.

• RECIPE: Easy Australian damper

Focaccia has been a big trend in lockdown and it's a great one because it's that next step up in your baking repertoire. There is a bit of kneading and proving time involved, but the oiled and baked loaf is easy to shape and is very forgiving. It's a great way to move into yeasted breads and will give you good results.

• RECIPE: Rosemary focaccia

White bread rolls are also good, because with a little kneading and resting time they are simple to shape and will cook through in a short time in the oven.

• RECIPE: Easy white dinner rolls