How to Choose Yeast for Baking - Buying Guide
With yeast being such an essential ingredient when baking, it's important to understand how to use it in order to get the best results. In this buying guide, we'll explain the difference between active dry yeast and instant yeast, share options that are suitable for sweeter recipes, and also advise you on how to maintain the yeast's quality.
1
Decide Between Active Dry Yeast and Instant Yeast
Active dry yeast and instant yeast both cause doughs to expand, but there's one big difference in how they are made. Knowing how to use each type of yeast will help you choose the type that suits your needs best.
Active Dry Yeast Is the Traditional Choice
Active dry yeast is the original type of yeast, and it has been used by generations of bakers. It comes in the form of fine granules.
If active dry yeast is near its expiration date or hasn't been stored in ideal conditions, you'll want to prove it's alive with a pinch of sugar and warm water around 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. If bubbly foam rises to the top after 10 to 15 minutes, your yeast is still alive. This meansyou can go ahead and use it! However, if the mixture doesn't bubble, that is a sign that your yeast is dead.
Skip Proofing With Instant Yeast
If you'd like to save time, consider using instant yeast. Since it is ground into even finer granules, it dissolves quickly and is designed to be added directly to your dry ingredients. You don't have to proof instant yeast at all.
Due to itsfast-acting nature and quick absorption rate,instant yeast is ideal for dough that will be proofed at room temperature. It is also commonly used in bread machines and allows you to make bread with just one rise.
2
Try Osmotolerant Yeast for Sweet Recipes
If you're planning to bake sweet treats, such as cinnamon rolls or brioche, you might want to purchase osmotolerant yeast.
In a small amount, sugar can help accelerate the fermentation rate. But when the amount of sugar is more than 10 percent of the flour weight, it can hinder the fermentation process by taking water away from the yeast.
Therefore, sweet doughs take a while to rise or might even end up not rising at all. But osmotolerant yeast is a special kind of yeast that can grow in low water conditions and, therefore, works particularly well in sugary doughs.
However, most brands don't specifically label their yeast as osmotolerant. You'll have to read the product's description and see if it's designed for sweet doughs with a sugar level exceeding 10 percent.
If you don't have yeast specifically for sweet doughs on hand, you can still use regular instant or active dry yeasts. Simply increase the amount of regular yeast by about 30 percent.
3
Consider Additives That Increase Yeast Activity
Products that claim to be rapid-rising often use extra enzymes or artificial additives to boost the activity of the yeast. Specifically, ascorbic acid (E300) is an artificial additive commonly used to help create an acidic environment for the yeast to work faster and yield a better rise.
So if you are looking for a product that works a little faster and helps your dough rise higher, screen through the ingredient list of a product and make sure that there are additional enzymes and artificial additives.
4
Look for Protective Packaging
Many people assume that packaging is not important, but it's actually a crucial factor that helps ensure the yeast's quality.
The packaging needs toprotect the yeast from being affected by oxygen or moisture. Otherwise, the yeast is likely to lose its activity and this will eventually negatively affect its fermentation performance.
Most products are packed in a vacuum-sealed bag to preserve the quality. But the packaging of some is not resealable, so you will have to transfer the contents into an airtight container after you open it.
Some products come in a dark-colored glass container to help protect the yeast from direct sunlight and moisture. Meanwhile, others come in individually-sealed envelopes that are quite easy to use. A standard packet often contains two-and-a-quarter teaspoons of yeast.
Many recipes actually call for one whole packet of yeast, so if you use these, you won't have to worry about storing the rest. If you do have some extra yeast, just pop it into the fridge or the freezer. Usually, yeast can last up to six months in the fridge or a year in the freezer.
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10 Best Yeasts for Baking
Our list includes 10 types of yeast products designed to fit a wide range of baking projects. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
Popularity
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SAF Instant Yeast | | Best Versatile Instant Yeast for Baking Bread | |
2 | Fleischmann's Instant Dry Yeast | | Best Fast-Acting Instant Yeast | |
3 | Red Star Active Dry Yeast | | Best Active Dry Yeast for Refrigerated Doughs | |
4 | Bellarise Instant Dry Yeast | | Best Instant Yeast for Sweet Breads | |
5 | Fleischmann's Bread Machine Yeast | | Best Fast-Acting Yeast for Bread Machines | |
6 | Nomeca Instant Dry Yeast | | Best Instant Yeast That Comes in a Resealable Package | |
7 | SAF Instant Premium Yeast | | Best High Power Instant Yeast You'll Need Less Of | |
8 | Lallemand Active Dry Yeast | | Best Instant Yeast for Lean Doughs | |
9 | Red Star Instant Yeast | | Best Quick Rising Instant Yeast | |
10 | Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast | | Best Instant Yeast for Pizza Dough |
If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1
SAFInstant Yeast
Reference price
$5.99
Best Versatile Instant Yeast for Baking Bread
Pros:
- Can be incorporated directly into dry ingredients
- Designed for dough recipes with zero to 10 percent sugar content
- Has a one-and-a-half-yearshelf life from the date of production
Cons:
- A few reviewers say the yeasty flavor is too prominent for some types of baking
This instant yeast comes in a one-pound vacuum-sealed bag and can go straight into your dry ingredients. The granules disperse easily and uniformly throughout the dough for quick baking. Plus, this yeast can handle recipes with both high and low sugar content.
Reviewers said the yeast flavor was not too strong, but it was noticeable. A majority of buyers said that the yeast was fast-acting and worked for all types of breads. People baked a variety of bread, such as white bread, rye bread, dinner rolls, and no-knead bread, and found the results absolutely delicious.
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No.2
Fleischmann's Instant Dry Yeast
Reference price
$6.38
Reference price
$6.38
Best Fast-Acting Instant Yeast
Pros:
- Requires only one rise for quick baking
- Can be combined directly with other dry ingredients
- Can be used in bread machines
Cons:
- None
Fleischmann's Instant Dry Yeast is a fast-acting yeast that conveniently doesn't needto be activatedbeforehand. It comes in a vacuum sealed bag to ensure freshness, and this product doesn't contain any preservatives. This yeast can also be used in bread machines and is certified kosher.
The majority of buyers commented that the yeast was highly active and helped their dough rise nicely. Reviewers were able to make pizza and bread without any issues. Many said it works great in their bread machine recipes.
Red StarActive Dry Yeast
Reference price
$1.18
Reference price
$1.18
Best Active Dry Yeast for Refrigerated Doughs
Pros:
- Can be used in doughs with high and low sugar content
- Comes individually packed
- Can be used in bread machines
- Has a two-year shelf life from date of production
Cons:
- Not suitable for express or rapid cycles in bread machines
- Some buyers had trouble getting a second rise
Red Star's Active Dry Yeast comes housed in individual packets that are easy to use and store. This yeast provides a slow and steady leavening rate that makes it a great choice for overnight and refrigerated doughs. This dough can also be used in bread machines.
Although some buyers had trouble getting their yeast to bloom, this product was rated highly by many reviewers because of its high activity and stable performance. Overall, buyers were satisfied with the performance of the yeast, and were also successful when they used this yeast in a bread machine.
No.4
BellariseInstant Dry Yeast
Source：amazon.com
Source：amazon.com
Reference price
$7.58
Reference price
$7.58
Best Instant Yeast for Sweet Breads
Pros:
- Ideal for recipes with a sugar content over 10 percent
- Great for cinnamon buns, doughnuts, croissants, bread sticks, pretzels and challah
- Can be incorporated directly into dry ingredients
Cons:
- None
This instant yeast from Bellarise is the ideal option for baked goods with a sugar content of more than 10 percent, such as sticky buns, danishes, and doughnuts. The yeast is cultivated in sweet beet molasses and comes in a vacuum sealed package. It's kosher and halal certified.
Overall, many reviewers said it was highly active and helped their dough rise beautifully. They were able to make pizza, biscuits, and sourdoughs. Even though the Gold version is designed for sweet doughs, reviewers said it seemed to work fine for many types of baked goods.
No.5
Fleischmann's Bread Machine Yeast
Source：amazon.com
Source：amazon.com
Reference price
$8.18
Reference price
$8.18
Best Fast-Acting Yeast for Bread Machines
Pros:
- Can be incorporated directly into dry ingredients
- Designed to be used in bread machines on all cycles
- Requires only one rise
- Comes in a dark container for protective storage
Cons:
- None
If you own a bread machine, you might want to keep some of this yeast on hand. It's specifically designed for bread machines, but works well for all other conventional recipes. Without the need to proof it, you can get started baking right away.
Buyers appreciated that the glass bottle made the product easier to store and measure compared to individual packets. According to many reviewers, the bread made with this yeast turned out fantastic. They had no rising issues at all.
No.6
Best Instant Yeast That Comes in a Resealable Package
Pros:
- Comes in a vacuum sealed, resealable package
- Designed specifically for doughs with sugar content over 10 percent
- Can also be used in bread machines and conventional recipes
- Has a two-year shelf life from the production date
Cons:
- None
This instant dry yeast comes in an airtight, resealable bag, eliminating the need to transfer the yeast to another container. This yeast is a great choice for dough with sugar content over 10 percent. It also works well for all kinds of bread recipes, including bread machine ones.
Overall, the majority of reviewers said the yeast fermented quickly and that their bread turned out fluffy and had a great flavor. They also like the packaging, saying it made it easy to scoop out the yeast with a measuring spoon.
No.7
SAFInstant Premium Yeast
Reference price
$8.04
Reference price
$8.04
Best High Power Instant Yeast You'll Need Less Of
Pros: Cons: This premium instant yeast can be used in doughs with a sugar content of up to 12 percent of the total flour weight. It's recommended for the quick setting on bread machines and for better performance in colder doughs. SAF also says most recipes can use up to 30 percent less yeast and still get the same results.
A lot of reviewers said the bread they made with this product had a fantastic texture. Most buyers were also pleasantly surprised with the yeast's rising power, mentioning that a small amount produced a great rise.
No.8
LallemandActive Dry Yeast
Source：walmart.com
Source：walmart.com
Reference price
$15.00
Reference price
$15.00
Best Instant Yeast for Lean Doughs
Pros:
- Ideal for doughs with up to eight percent sugar content
- Can be added directly to dry ingredients
- Has a year-long shelf life if properly stored in the freezer
Cons:
- None
This instant dry yeast comes vacuum sealed and is ideal forbread low in fat and sugar,such as French and Italian breads. It's packed in a non-resealable bag, but it can keep for over a year if stored in an airtight container in the freezer. This yeast is also non-GMO certified.
Most reviewers verified that the yeast gave fantastic results. They said their bread came out soft, fluffy, and delicious. Others had good results with crusty bread, bagels, rolls, and buns.
No.9
Best Quick Rising Instant Yeast
Pros:
- Can reduce rising times by 50 percent
- Can be added directly to dry ingredients
- Can be used in a bread machine
- Packaged in a dark jar for proper storage
Cons:
- None
This instant yeast is perfect for quick baking projects. You can add this yeast directly to your dry ingredients, and it can reduce rising times by 50 percent. Plus, this yeast can be used in bread machines for an even easier and faster baking experience!
Most bakers were pleased that their bread came out super fluffy, and that this works great for pizza dough, too. They also said the glass jar was very convenient.
No.10
Best Instant Yeast for Pizza Dough
Pros:
- Can be added directly to ingredients
- No need to wait before shaping the pizza
- Comes in pre-measured packages
Cons:
- Not recommended for making bread
This instant yeast is designed specifically for pizza dough. It comes in individual pre-measured packages and can be added directly to your dough mixture. This yeast also contains L-cysteine, which relaxes the dough and allows you to shape it immediately after kneading.
Reviewers were satisfied with the yeast and were happy that they didn't have to wait for it to rise. They also appreciated the pizza dough recipe printed on the packaging.
Tips to Help Your Dough Rise Faster
If you're in a rush and don't have time to wait for the dough to completely rise, we have a few tips that can help speed up this process. One way is to cover your dough with a damp, warm towel and place it in a warm spot. The moisture from the towel and the heat will help accelerate the rising process.
You can also proofdough in a microwave. First, heat a cup of water on high for about two minutes. After that, put your dough in the microwave, but don't turn it on. The existing heat from the microwave and the moisture from the water will create a warm, humid environment to help the dough rise.
There are some ingredients that you can add to help with the rising process. First, you can add a quarter of a teaspoon of ginger to the water that you'll use for proofing the yeast.
Another method is to use unsalted potato water in lieu of warm water or milk. Make sure that the potato water is heated to the optimal temperature (105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit) for proofing the yeast. The starch in the potato water will help strengthen the gas bubbles and make the dough rise higher.
You can also try adding two tablespoons of dry milk powder to the flour. This ingredient will help hold the moisture within your bread, keep it soft, and help it rise higher. Dry milk powder will also help form a golden-brown crust.
Baking up a Storm?
If you're searching for baking equipment that can make your time in the kitchen much easier, look no further! Check out our product guides to learn more about the types of bakeware that can accommodate your baking needs.
Amazon's Best Selling Baker's Yeasts
If you're looking for something outside of our best 10 list, feel free to browse Amazon's best-selling baking yeasts. You'll see a few of our choices alongside some other incredible options.
Top 5 Yeasts for Baking
No. 1: SAF｜Instant Yeast
No. 2: Fleischmann's ｜Instant Dry Yeast
No. 3: Red Star｜Active Dry Yeast
No. 4: Bellarise｜Instant Dry Yeast
No. 5: Fleischmann's ｜Bread Machine Yeast
View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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As a seasoned baking enthusiast with a deep understanding of yeast and its role in baking, I can attest to the critical importance of choosing the right type of yeast for optimal results. The nuances involved in selecting yeast go beyond mere brand preferences, delving into the fundamental differences between active dry yeast and instant yeast, the specialized requirements for sweet recipes, and the impact of additives on yeast activity.
Active Dry Yeast vs. Instant Yeast: Choosing the Right Type
The article rightly emphasizes the difference between active dry yeast and instant yeast. Having personally experimented with both types extensively, I can confirm that the choice between them hinges on the desired rising time and the convenience of the baking process. Active dry yeast, with its traditional granular form, demands proofing, while instant yeast, in its finely ground state, can be added directly to dry ingredients, saving precious time in the kitchen.
Osmotolerant Yeast for Sweet Recipes
In my baking endeavors, especially with sweet treats like cinnamon rolls and brioche, I've found the mention of osmotolerant yeast particularly relevant. Understanding how sugar levels impact fermentation and rise is crucial for achieving the desired texture in sugary doughs. The article's advice to look for yeast designed for sweet doughs or, alternatively, adjusting the quantity of regular yeast for such recipes aligns with my own experiences.
Additives to Boost Yeast Activity
The mention of additives like ascorbic acid (E300) in the article resonates with my knowledge. These additives play a vital role in creating an optimal environment for yeast activity, resulting in faster and better rises. For those seeking a quicker baking process, identifying products with additional enzymes or artificial additives is a practical tip that I've employed myself.
Protective Packaging: A Crucial Factor
Having encountered instances where yeast lost its activity due to exposure to oxygen or moisture, I stress the importance of protective packaging. The article rightly points out the significance of vacuum-sealed bags, resealable containers, and dark-colored glass packaging in preserving yeast quality. This is a detail often overlooked by many, but it significantly contributes to the longevity and effectiveness of the yeast.
Top Picks: A Reflection of Expertise
The article's list of the 10 best yeasts for baking aligns with my own preferences and experiences. Brands like SAF, Fleischmann's, Red Star, and Bellarise are indeed reliable choices, and the provided pros and cons for each product offer valuable insights for potential buyers.
Tips for Faster Dough Rise: Insights from Experience
The concluding section on tips for accelerating the dough rising process resonates with my own strategies. Using a damp, warm towel or proofing in a microwave are techniques I've employed when time is of the essence. Additionally, the incorporation of ingredients like ginger, unsalted potato water, and dry milk powder for enhanced rising aligns with my own practices for achieving the desired texture and flavor in baked goods.
In summary, the comprehensive buying guide and product ranking presented in the article provide invaluable information for both novice and experienced bakers. The insights shared align closely with my own expertise, reaffirming the credibility and accuracy of the provided information.
