Malunggay Whole Wheat Bread

Name: Malunggay Whole Wheat Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 150 min
Ingredients: 1 cup reduced-fat milk, heated to 120 degrees Fahrenheit; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided); 2 teaspoons instant yeast; 3 cup whole wheat flour; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons olive oil; ½ cup malunggay leaves or moringa powder (chopped); ½ teaspoon sesame seeds

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This Malunggay Whole Wheat Bread is one of the easy and healthy bread recipes that you can make! It is loaded with vitamins, minerals and energy that your body needs. Pair this with your favorite milk or tea and enjoy a delicious breakfast or snacks!

Love Filipino Bread? Try the fan favorites- Ube Cheese Pandesal, Red Velvet Pandesal with Cheese, or Spanish Bread!

sliced malunggay whole wheat bread loaf on a cooling rack

What is Malunggay Whole Wheat Bread?

Malunggay Whole Wheat Bread is a nutritious Filipino bread recipe that is made with chopped malunggay (moringa) leaves, whole wheat flour, reduced-fat milk, yeast, egg and sesame seeds. It’s a great breakfast or snack recipe and a natural way to incorporate the benefits of moringa leaf into our daily lives. It’s a healthier alternative that’s just as delicious as the classic white bread. Whole wheat flour has all parts of the grain kernel intact which offers more natural nutrients and fiber.

This delicious and nutritious bread is easy-to-make and can be served as is with a powdered milk or tea of your choice, lightly toasted with your choice of spread or as a sandwich for a healthy snack option. Moringa leaf is very rich in nutrients namely protein, fiber and minerals. Moringa oleifera is sometimes called a “Miracle Tree” because all of its parts are used for nutritional, pharmacological properties. The following are some of the benefits in consuming this miracle plant which is widely considered as a superfood.

Health Benefits of Malunggay (Moringa):

Protects and nourishes skin and hair
Treats edema
Protects the liver
Prevents and treats cancer
Improves eye health
Fights against bacterial diseases
Makes the bones healthier
Treats stomach complaints, diabetes, and asthma

Try making this easy and healthy Filipino bread recipe at the comfort of your home. Happy baking!

Tips and Procedures:

Make sure to wrap the dough in a plastic wrap and let it rest before kneading to make softer loaves.
You may use a right amount of dried malunggay or moringa leaf powder as an alternative to the fresh ones.
If whole wheat flour is unavailable, you may use all-purpose flour, or use ¼ cup wheat germ and ¾ cup all-purpose flour per cup whole wheat. You may also replace the whole wheat flour with graham flour.
Feel free to make this into a malunggay pandesal recipe.
Use an egg alternative to make this a vegan bread.
Storage: Keep tightly closed in original packaging and properly store at room temperature for about 5 to 7 days.

How to Make Malunggay Whole Wheat Bread :

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

reduced-fat milk
granulated sugar
instant yeast
whole wheat flour
salt
egg
olive oil
chopped malunggay leaves or moringa powder
sesame seeds

ingredients for malunggay whole wheat bread

In a small bowl, add milk, one tablespoon of sugar, and yeast and allow it to bloom for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, add whole wheat flour, remaining sugar, salt, and whisk until well combined:

a mixture of milk, one tablespoon of sugar, and yeast in a small bowl and a mixture of whole wheat flour, remaining sugar and salt in a large bowl with a whisker

Add in yeast mixture, egg, and olive oil and mix until it forms into a rough dough. Then, add the chopped malunggay leaves:

added the yeast mixture, egg, and olive oil into the large bowl then mixed until it forms into a rough dough

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 13 minutes:

Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with cling film and allow it to rise for 45 minutes. Next, punch down and divide the dough into two portions and Place the dough into an oiled loaf pans. Then, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Allow it to rise for the second time uncovered for another 45 minutes:

Placed the dough in an oiled bowl and covered with cling film. Then, divided the dough in two portions and placed in loaf pans

Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the pan and let it cool on a cooling rack:

freshly baked malunggay whole wheat bread on a cooling rack

Slice into portions before serving. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What’s the difference between whole wheat, whole grain, and multigrain bread?

Whole wheat contains the entire wheat kernel while whole grain means that all parts of the grain kernel are used which includes the bran, germ and endosperm. Whole wheat bread is only one type of whole grain bread. In addition to wheat, whole grain bread can include other whole grains, such as whole grain oats, rolled oats, whole barley and brown rice. On the other hand, multigrain bread contains more than one type of grain.

What is the first bread in the Philippines?

Pandesal was first introduced to the Philippines in the 16th century by the Spaniards. It is one of the favorite and ubiquitous Filipino breads that you can find in the country. Nowadays, it comes with different flavors including the malunggay (moringa) flavor.

Does kneading bread make it lighter?

Yes. The yeast releases gases when it consumes the sugars in the flour. These gases get trapped inside the dough by the mesh the gluten makes which causes the bread to be airy and fluffy. This mesh is formed by kneading the dough.