What is autolyse? This is the first step of sourdough bread making, it helps make the dough easier to work with. It is the process of letting your dough rest before working it and stretching and folding it to create a loaf easy to work with.

Step by step video tutorial showing how to autolyse sourdough bread. The word autolyse has been used in bread making for some time even though some do argue that it’s not autolyse. However words do evolve and can be used differently.

Salt or no salt autolyse sourdough

some people add salt and some not in the initial process. I add salt from the beginning and I have not noticed a difference in adding salt or not adding it. So since I do not notice a difference I like to add it so that I do not forget.

The great thing about home baking is you try out different things and see what works for you. The most important thing is that it works.

This autolyse method is great for sourdough bread because it helps to develop gluten and makes the dough stretch and easy to work with.

If you like to hand mix bread ingredients feel free to do it. If you have not done it before you can experiment and see what works best for you.