What does it mean when you feel bubbles pop when kneading bread dough?

What does it mean when you feel bubbles pop when kneading bread dough? - Photo of a Person's Hands Kneading Dough

Sometimes when I am kneading my dough I can feel some of the air bubbles popping. Is this a bad thing? Does this mean I am kneading it to long? Every were I have looked it says it is important to have air bubbles in your dough. I always use both the poke test and window test. The bread usually turns out ok. I'm just not sure why this happens sometimes.



Best Answer

This is completely normal and actually what you want bread dough to do, the bubbles mean that your yeast is active, and your bread will rise. However, bubbles that are too big can be undesired in your finished product and may actually cause the bread to cook unevenly. I make sure to eliminate all large bubbles during each kneading session. The presence of these bubbles means that you have a fair amount of gluten developed in your dough, which will ensure you get a light fluffy and well risen result.




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What does it mean when you feel bubbles pop when kneading bread dough? - Woman making pastry on table with flour
What does it mean when you feel bubbles pop when kneading bread dough? - Unrecognizable female kneading soft fresh egg dough on cutting board with flour in kitchen
What does it mean when you feel bubbles pop when kneading bread dough? - From above of broken eggs on flour pile scattered on table near salt sack and kitchenware



Quick Answer about "What does it mean when you feel bubbles pop when kneading bread dough?"

This is completely normal and actually what you want bread dough to do, the bubbles mean that your yeast is active, and your bread will rise. However, bubbles that are too big can be undesired in your finished product and may actually cause the bread to cook unevenly.

Why does my dough have air bubbles?

If the area is too warm, bread will rise too fast and begin cooking before the yeast has finished acting. Then, when placed to bake in the oven, the "over spring" is exaggerated and large air pockets form inside the dough. Follow recipe directions.

Why does my dough tear when I knead it?

If you knead dough too hard, it will tear. This happens because the gluten strands get stretched too far and break. To prevent this from happening, you need to stretch the dough gently, but firmly enough to develop the gluten strands. It helps if you let the dough rest between stretches.

How do you tell if dough is kneaded properly?

Perhaps the best way to tell if your bread dough is properly kneaded is the windowpane test. To do this, tear off a chunk of dough and stretch it between your fingers. If the dough tears, you haven't developed enough gluten and it needs more kneading.

Why does dough pop?

When yeast is active in your dough it eats away at starches and sugars and releases gasses. These gasses are then trapped inside your dough by the gluten mesh that has been created. If your gluten mesh is not fully developed it will not be able to supposer those gasses and thus resulting in a flat or collapsed bread.



87: FIVE signs your Bread Dough is Fully Kneaded, Before and After - Bake with Jack




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Images: Diana Akchurina, Klaus Nielsen, Klaus Nielsen, Flora Westbrook