How to Make Dough Rise Faster

Before baking bread, you need to let the dough rise. However, dough can take several hours to rise, and at times, you might be eager to get it in the oven sooner. Fortunately, there are a few tricks to speed up the rising process, such as letting the dough rise in the microwave or covering it with a damp cloth. By using heat and moisture to speed up the dough’s rise, you can enjoy freshly baked bread without waiting too long.

Preheat the oven to the required temperature for baking bread. Typically, bread is baked at temperatures ranging from 180°C to 260°C. Be sure to check the recipe you are using for the specific temperature requirements.

Place a kitchen towel under warm running water until it is damp. You need to moisten the entire towel without making it soaking wet. If the towel is too wet, wring out the excess water.

Lay the damp towel over the dough. The towel should cover the entire dough. Make sure the edges of the towel drape over the sides of the bowl or dough-proofing tray. The moisture in the towel will help the dough rise faster.

• If you’re proofing a large batch of dough, place two damp towels on top of each other.

Place the dough covered with the towel near the oven (but not inside it). Clear a spot near the oven so you can place the dough there. The heat from the oven will aid in speeding up the dough’s rising process.

Wait for the dough to double in size. Check the dough after 30 minutes to see if it has risen sufficiently. If the dough hasn't doubled in size, continue to let it rise under the damp towel and check again after 10-15 minutes.

Pour one cup (240ml) of water into a microwave-safe glass cup. Make sure the glass cup you use is appropriately sized for your microwave.

Heat the cup of water in the microwave on high for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, open the microwave and move the cup of water to the side to create space for the bowl of dough. Use oven mitts or a towel to handle the cup, as it may be hot.

Place the dough in a bowl. Choose a bowl that fits well in your microwave. Don't worry if the bowl isn't microwave-safe; you won’t be turning the microwave on when placing the bowl inside.

Put the bowl of dough into the microwave and close the door. Simply leave the cup of water and the bowl of dough inside the microwave. The cup of water and the microwave's warmth will create a warm and humid environment to help the dough rise faster. Note: Do not turn on the microwave.

Wait for the dough to rise for about 30-45 minutes. Check the dough after 30 minutes to see if the rising process is complete. If the dough has doubled in size, it’s ready. If not, leave the dough in the microwave for another 15 minutes.

Continue heating the water if the dough hasn't fully risen. If after 45 minutes the dough hasn't doubled in size, remove it from the microwave, reheat the cup of water on high for about 2 minutes, and then place the dough back into the microwave. Let it rise for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Preheat the oven on the lowest setting for 2 minutes. Set a timer to keep track of the time. While the oven is heating, boil water on the stove. Turn off the oven once the 2 minutes are over.

Pour boiling water into a microwave-safe glass bowl. Use a medium or large bowl. Fill it with water until the water level is 2.5-5cm below the bowl’s rim.

Place the bowl of boiling water into the oven and close the door. Keep the bowl of water in the oven while you work with the dough. The warmth from the oven and the bowl of water will create a warm and humid environment to help the dough rise faster.

Proof the dough in the oven until it doubles in size. Check the dough after 15 minutes to see if it's ready to bake. If not, continue to proof the dough in the oven and check again after another 15 minutes.

Buy packets of instant yeast. Instant yeast comes in fine granules, allowing it to activate faster. The quicker the yeast works, the faster your dough will rise. You can find instant yeast packets in stores that sell baking ingredients. This product is commonly labeled as 'instant yeast' or 'quick-rise yeast'.

Mix the instant yeast with the dry ingredients. Unlike traditional yeast, instant yeast doesn’t need to be dissolved in water. Simply add it to the flour and other dry ingredients you’re using to make the dough. Be sure to check the recipe for how many packets of yeast you need.

You don't need to handle the dough after the first proofing; simply shape it immediately after kneading. If the recipe requires two proofing stages, wait until the dough shows signs of the second proofing before handling it. Using instant yeast allows the dough to rise completely in just one proofing stage. This will cut your waiting time in half.

Let the dough proof again before baking. Place the dough in a warm, humid environment to speed up the rising process. Keep in mind that lean dough, made only with water and flour, rises faster than dough made with ingredients like milk, eggs, salt, and fats.