Electric Blender: Will It Mix Dough?

A blender.

While an electric blender is a valuable kitchen appliance for many tasks, mixing dough for homemade bread is not among them. Learn more about why an electric blender will not mix bread dough well, and about the tools you can use that are best for dough making.

Electric Blender Container

The shape and size of an electric blender container is unsuitable for the task of mixing bread dough. The vertical, slender container confines the dough in too small a space to adequately distribute the yeast throughout the dough. The blades over which the container fits are too short and sharp to be able to turn over and blend the dough so that enough air permeates the dough to allow it to rise.

Electric Blender Power

Most electric blenders are primarily designed to blend liquids or make solids containing a high percentage of water into a liquid. Bread dough meets neither of these conditions. Its moisture content is low and it is very heavy. It could break off the cutting blades at the base, and as well could burn out the blender's lightweight electric motor, usually only 1/4 horsepower.

Electric Mixer - The Best Bread Dough Blender

The best electrical appliance ever invented for mixing bread dough is the electric rotating platform mixer. These heavy-duty mixers come with several different attachments including a paddle and a dough hook made to mix bread dough. Put the flour, baking soda, and other dry ingredients into the oversized mixing bowl that comes with the mixer. Attach a blending paddle and stir them all together and continue to use it to blend the liquid ingredients, the yeast, and water. When the dough is completely blended, replace the paddle with the dough hook to knead the bread. The kneading process is finished when the bread dough pulls itself into the middle of the bowl. Place the dough into a large bowl to rise, under the cover of a linen or cotton cloth.

Food Processor as Bread Dough Blender

With the correct attachments and a large-capacity container, a food processor can also be a great tool for mixing bread dough. Read and follow the appliance's user guide for this task. Add the dry ingredients into the largest container that comes with your food processor, and use the pulse setting a few times to blend them. Add the liquid ingredients through the pouring shaft that forms part of the lid, and again blend on the pulse setting. Adjust the dryness or moisture of the dough by adding more water or more flour till it is the correct consistency. Avoid running the motor of the food processor for more than 30 seconds at a time. When all ingredients are blended, remove the dough onto a breadboard and knead it by hand for up to five minutes to aerate it more fully for rising.

Blending by Hand

You can use a handheld dough whisk for blending the dry and wet components of bread dough. Knead by hand for no more than 15 to 20 minutes, and place the dough in a cloth-covered bowl to start rising.