Everything Oat Twists

Unlock the secret to homemade bread that looks as impressive as it tastes with these delightful Everything Oatmeal Knots. Imagine bakery-worthy rolls, soft and tender, infused with the wholesome goodness of whole wheat flour and oats, subtly sweetened with honey, and crowned with that irresistible savory crunch of everything bagel seasoning. Far from being an intimidating baking project, shaping these knots is surprisingly simple, requiring no more skill than tying a shoelace. Get ready to elevate your breakfast, dinner rolls, or snack game with these uniquely flavorful and satisfying bread knots that promise to become a staple in your kitchen.

Freshly baked Everything Oatmeal Knots on a cooling rack

The Irresistible Allure of Everything Bagel Seasoning

There’s a reason why everything bagel seasoning has taken the culinary world by storm: it’s simply addictive. This magical blend, typically composed of poppy seeds, toasted sesame seeds, dried garlic flakes, dried onion flakes, and coarse sea salt, offers an explosion of savory, aromatic, and slightly nutty flavors. It’s a seasoning that transcends its bagel origins, proving its versatility across countless dishes. From a simple sprinkle over avocado toast to jazzing up roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or even a basic egg scramble, its bold flavor profile can transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

My own spice cabinet currently features a prominently placed jar of this seasoning, and it sees frequent action. I confess, I subscribe to the “everything on everything” philosophy when it comes to this blend. A dash on spaghetti tossed with olive oil, a generous sprinkle over a veggie omelet, or even as a finishing touch on a homemade dip – the possibilities are endless and always delicious. But perhaps its most fitting application, beyond the obvious bagel, is enhancing the flavor of freshly baked bread. That’s precisely where these Everything Oatmeal Knots shine, showcasing the seasoning as the true star it is.

Close-up of golden brown oatmeal bread knots topped with a generous amount of everything bagel seasoning

Crafting Bakery-Style Knots at Home

There’s an undeniable charm to a bread basket brimming with elegantly shaped rolls at a restaurant. While intricate braids might seem daunting for the home baker, creating beautiful knots is surprisingly approachable. The simple, elegant knot shape adds a touch of sophistication to your homemade bread without demanding advanced baking techniques. If you’ve ever tied a shoelace, you already possess the fundamental skill needed to transform a humble ball of dough into these attractive, artisan-looking knots. It’s a gratifying process that yields impressive results, making you feel like a true master baker.

A tray of freshly shaped Everything Oatmeal Knots ready for baking

The Wholesome Foundation: Oats and Whole Wheat

What truly sets these knots apart is their wholesome base of oats and whole wheat flour. Oats contribute a tender crumb and a subtly nutty flavor, adding a delightful chewiness that complements the bread’s light sweetness. They also bring a nutritional boost, rich in fiber and beneficial nutrients. Paired with whole wheat flour, which offers a deeper, more robust flavor profile and additional dietary fiber, these knots are not only incredibly delicious but also more satisfying and nourishing than traditional white flour rolls. The touch of honey further enhances this natural sweetness, creating a perfectly balanced flavor that will keep you reaching for more.

The combination of these ingredients results in a bread that is soft, fluffy, and full of character. It’s a testament to how wholesome ingredients can create truly exceptional baked goods. Whether you’re serving them with a hearty soup, as a side for a family dinner, or simply enjoying one with a cup of coffee, the unique texture and flavor of these oatmeal knots will leave a lasting impression.

Freshly baked golden dinner rolls cooling on a wire rack

How To Make Everything Oatmeal Knots: A Step-by-Step Guide

Baking these Everything Oatmeal Knots begins with creating a unique “oatmeal slurry” – a foundational step that infuses the dough with incredible flavor and moisture. You’ll combine old-fashioned oats, honey, butter, and salt with boiling water. This mixture needs to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding. This cooling step is crucial; adding yeast to a hot mixture would unfortunately kill the active cultures, preventing your dough from rising. Patience here is key to success.

Once cooled, a foamy mixture of active dry yeast and warm water is incorporated into the oat blend. The foaming indicates the yeast is active and ready to work its magic. Next, flaxseed meal, whole wheat flour, and all-purpose flour are stirred in, forming a shaggy, unrefined dough. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage; it’s exactly how it should look.

The Art of Kneading and Rising

Transfer the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured surface. Now comes the kneading – a process that many bakers find therapeutic. For about 8-10 minutes, you’ll work the dough, pushing and folding it, allowing the gluten to develop. This physical activity is not just good for stress relief; it’s essential for achieving the smooth, elastic texture that will give your knots their wonderful chew and structure. You’ll know the dough is perfectly kneaded when it’s smooth, resilient, and bounces back when gently pressed.

After kneading, the dough embarks on its first rise. Placed in a lightly greased bowl and covered, it needs about an hour and a half (or until it has roughly doubled in size) to develop its full flavor and airy texture. This slow fermentation is vital for a truly delicious bread. The anticipation during this rising period is part of the joy of baking from scratch.

Shaped dough knots arranged on a sheet pan, ready for their second rise

Shaping Your Bakery-Perfect Knots

The moment of truth arrives when your dough has beautifully risen. To test if it’s ready, gently punch it down in the center; if it doesn’t spring back, it’s perfectly proofed and ready for shaping. Divide the dough into two equal portions, keeping one covered to prevent it from drying out. Each portion is then divided into 12 smaller pieces, aiming for roughly equal sizes to ensure consistent baking.

Take each small piece of dough and roll it into an 8-inch long rope. The key to successful knot shaping is a uniform rope. Then, simply tie each rope into a single knot, tucking the ends neatly underneath for a clean finish. This simple technique quickly transforms individual dough ropes into elegant, appealing knots. Arrange these shaped knots on parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring they have enough space, about 3 inches apart, to rise again. Cover them with lightly greased plastic wrap and let them proof for another 30 minutes, during which they should almost double in size. This second rise contributes to the light and airy texture of the final baked rolls.

The Finishing Touches and Baking

As the knots undergo their final rise, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare your signature everything seasoning mix by combining poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic flakes, onion flakes, and coarse salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together an egg and a teaspoon of water for a simple egg wash. This egg wash is crucial for achieving that beautiful golden-brown crust and helps the seasoning adhere perfectly.

Gently brush each knot with the egg wash, then generously sprinkle with your homemade everything seasoning mix and an additional tablespoon of old-fashioned oats for extra texture and visual appeal. The rolls then bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until they turn a magnificent golden brown. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely incredible, a testament to the deliciousness to come.

Once baked, transfer the golden knots to wire racks to cool. While they are wonderful warm from the oven, they are equally delicious served at room temperature. These Everything Oatmeal Knots deliver a delightful wheat flavor, balanced by the subtle sweetness of honey, and crowned with the unparalleled savory goodness of everything bagel seasoning. They are perfect for breakfast, as a side with dinner, or simply as a satisfying snack.

Everything Oatmeal Knots

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By
Paige Adams

Prep:
30 minutes

Cook:
15 minutes

Rising Time:
2 hours

Total:
2 hours 45 minutes

Servings:
24 knots

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It’s easier than it looks to shape dough into these bakery-worthy everything oatmeal knots with whole wheat flour, oats and a touch of honey.

Ingredients

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 cups boiling water
1 package dry active yeast about 2-1/4 teaspoons
1/3 cup warm water
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
3 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for work surface
Non-stick cooking spray for greasing
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon garlic flakes
1 teaspoon onion flakes
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon water
1 large egg

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup oats, honey, butter, salt and boiling water until combined. Cool to room temperature.
In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Let stand for about 5 minutes until foamy. Pour into the oat mixture followed by the flaxseed meal, whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour. Use a wooden spoon to stir into a shaggy dough.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more all-purpose flour (up to 1/2 to 3/4 cup). Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.
Punch down the dough and let it rest for 5 minutes. Divide the dough in half and leave one portion covered in the bowl.
Working with the other half, divide the dough into 12 pieces. Roll each one into an 8-inch long rope and tie it in a knot, tucking under the ends. Place the knots about 3 inches apart on two parchment-lined sheet pans. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap and let rise for another 30 minutes, until they have almost doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a small bowl combine the poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic flakes, onion flakes and coarse salt. In another small bowl, whisk together the water and egg. Brush the knots with the egg wash and sprinkle with the everything seasoning mix and 1 tablespoon oats.
Bake the knots until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Adapted from Cooking Light January 2008

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Bread

Cuisine:
American

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