Should You Use Sunflower Lecithin in Bread? (2025)

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Want to take your homemade bread game to the next level? Learn about sunflower lecithin in bread and why you might want to give this little-known ingredient a try.

Pretty much all homemade bread is good, but some loaves are better than others. Over the years, I’ve become obsessed with experimenting and exploring recipes to find out why.

We all want that perfect, golden loaf of goodness. I can tell you that there are a few secret ingredients that make a real difference in bread quality and nutrition.

I’m not talking about love (although that certainly never made a loaf of bread worse). Instead, I’m talking about one of those little-known, secret ingredients that take your homemade bread from ordinary to fabulous. Let’s explore!

What is Sunflower Lecithin?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t use the word “lecithin” very much in my day-to-day vocabulary. It seems a bit strange and mysterious, but don’t let the word scare you. It’s actually a healthy, all-natural product that provides both health and baking benefits. I’ll break is down really quickly.

Lecithin is simply a term for fatty substances, called phospholipids, that are naturally found in plants like sunflower seeds, soybeans and canola, and certain animal tissues, like egg yolks.

Phospholipids have a water-loving side and a fat-loving side, which means they are great emulsifiers. They make water and oils/fats blend together smoothly and evenly, which is why you’ll see them used in cooking and baking.

How is Sunflower Lecithin Made?

Sunflower lecithin is extracted from cold pressed sunflower seeds, much the same way extra virgin olive oil is extracted from olives. No heat or chemicals, just pressure for a clean, pure product. Always check your sources to make sure they are made just so.

What Foods have Sunflower Lecithin?

You can find sunflower lecithin in capsules, liquid and powder forms. The liquids and powders are often used in food preparation.

Salad dressings, gravy, sauces, chocolate, frostings – these are just a few of the foods that often use sunflower lecithin to improve quality and texture. Now that you are familiar with lecithin, you’ll begin to see it listed often in ingredients labels.

What does Sunflower Lecithin do in Bread Making?

Sunflower lecithin is a natural food grade emulsifier. That means it’ll provide some awesome benefits to your bread baking like:

• Better distribution of ingredients for more consistent texture
• Dough enhancer – more dough strength and elasticity = easy to knead
• Fluffier, softer, more delicious bread
• Longer shelf life – fresh homemade bread stays moist and won’t go stale as quickly

I make freshly milled homemade bread for all the health benefits we have talked about before, and sunflower lecithin is especially helpful to achieve all these benefits when baking with whole grains.

Comparison Of Bread Made With and Without Sunflower Lecithin

I wanted to show you the difference achieved when adding lecithin into my go-to bread recipe. The visual differences may appear subtle, but they are noticeable in all the areas we listed above.

The main thing I notice is the texture. When using lecithin it is stretchy, holds it’s form better, the ingredients are better incorporated, and it has a delightful texture.

Without lecithin, the bread is still delicious but noticeably more crummy. It tends to dry out more quickly and fall apart easier.

All that said, if you don’t want to use lecithin and would rather avoid buying extra ingredients, your bread will still be delicious without it. But with it, homemade bread is next level!

Health Benefits of Sunflower Lecithin

I mentioned earlier that you can find sunflower lecithin in capsule form. That’s because it’s so full of nutrients and benefits, that some people take it as a health supplement. It contains loads of health perks including:

• May help lower cholesterol and improve blood pressure
• Anti-inflammatory properties can help calm irritable bowels and bloating
• Contains choline which breaks down fat in the liver and helps detox the body
• Choline can also help the brain support memory, focus and learning
• Allery friendly with no soy, gluten or genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

For some, sunflower lecithin can cause tummy issues, so be aware of that rare possibility.

Sunflower Lecithin versus Soy Lecithin

Now remember, we’re talking about the benefits of sunflower lecithin here. Soy lecithin is a more common food additive, but it’s also a common allergen which is often made from GMO soybeans and chemically extracted. For that reason, I stick with sunflower lecithin for bread making and prefer to use organic.

How to Use Sunflower Lecithin in Bread Making

There are a couple variations of sunflower lecithin for bakers – liquid lecithin and powdered or lecithin granules. Some bread recipes may call for one type or the other. If not, you can add a bit of sunflower lecithin liquid to your wet ingredients or add the powdered type to your flour before mixing.

Can you tell which loaf has sunflower lecithin yet?

In general, a ratio of somewhere around 1 tablespoon per 4 cups of flour is recommended. I have found I need less of the liquid lecithin, if using that instead of powdered lecithin. It is sticky and goes a long way!

Where I Buy Sunflower Lecithin

Personally, I like to use powdered sunflower lecithin in my homemade bread. Amazon and Azure Standard both carry varieties that I’ve used in the past with great results.

I prefer to use the powdered form because it is less messy. The liquid lecithin is very sticky and does the job well, but can be difficult to clean up after. I recommend always buying organic when possible.

More Bread, Please!

Alright, now that you know the secret to better bread texture, longer shelf life and more nutritious loaves, it’s time to get baking! (You must promise to only use your new bread making power for good.)

Give sunflower lecithin a try and see what it can do for your bread. Oh – and be sure to save me slice, because I know it’s gonna be good!

For all things bread, try:

• Honey Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
• Homemade Bread Recipe
• Healthy Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
• 100% Whole Grain Einkorn Sourdough Bread Simplified
• How to Mill Your Own Flour and the Health Benefits
• The Top 5 Healthy Grains to Mill at Home
• 100% Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Made Simple
• Bread Wrap Free Printables
• The Best Bread Baking Supplies for Your Kitchen
• How to Choose the Best Yeast for Bread Making