Making Yeast with a Potato (DIY bread yeast for baking)

In today's video, we're talking about making yeast from "scratch" from an ordinary Russet potato. Whether you can't find yeast in the stores, or you just want to find a more sustainable and cost-effective way to bake bread, you can "create" your own yeast practically out of thin air. With a potato and a couple other simple ingredients, you'll have a jar full of yeast ready to use when you need it!
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00:00 - Intro
01:51 - The Ingredients
03:12 - Making the Yeast Mix
07:37 - Baking Bread
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Basic Bread Recipe with Potato Yeast Mix
Ingredients:
-2 Tablespoons Potato Yeast Mix
-3 Cups Bread Flour
-1.5 teaspoons Salt
-1/4 Cup Sugar
-1/4 Cup Olive Oil
-1/2 Cup Water (heated to 100 degrees F)
-Proof yeast by mixing the yeast mix, water, and sugar in large bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes.
-Add the flour, oil, and salt. Mix for a minute with fork.
-Knead bread for 10 minutes (either in stand mixer or by hand).
-Place dough in greased bowl, and cover with damp towel. Place in warm place to rise for 2 hours.
-Place dough on counter and knead for 2 more minutes. Shape dough into a loaf and place into loaf pan, seam-side down. Cover with damp towel, and leave in warm place for another hour.
-Bake bread in oven preheated to 350 degrees F, for 30-35 minutes.
-Allow to cool before slicing.
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[@tharinamarais4993]

My mother used to bake with potato yeast, she never boiled it, raw grated potato works as well

[@myrnashan6601]

how did she do

[@kinb2318]

Wow! I thought so. I accidently let some raw potatoes sit in water too long and it activated better than when I've tried to boil it. Boiling it seem to take a long time. So, this time I just pealed and sliced in water and in two days I see the bubbles. I said I'm going to keep this method! Thanks for confirming it works! But I'm thankful for this video as another alternative too. :)

[@blancaochoa70]

How long did your mom leave the the raw potato in the water?

[@wmluna381]

​@@kinb2318 Nice!

[@RhondaWimmOfficial]

For a softer loaf here’s a tip: place a shallow pan of water about 2 cups, in the bottom of the oven when you preheat it. Place loaf in the front of the oven to bake. The steam will make the loaf softer more like sandwich bread. I’m in Macomb County, wishing I was living far north from here.

[@CFL641]

You can leave the potato in the water and mash it up.. Making potato bread... Same steps. And pour all the water and mashed potato in the flour..., I like heavy rich bread.. It is really good.

[@wardrobelion]

Thanks. I had forgotten that my grandma used to use it after cooking potatoes in her biscuits and in the gravy too.👍

[@shirleymurphy1958]

Been making potatoes yeast for years. It works well .

[@dizzysdoings]

Just watched another video on the same thing, this one looks a lot easier!

[@christopherleubner6633]

Any fruit with a white hazy coatng can work as a source of yeast. Cane berries, grapes, plums, blueberries all work ok.

[@karleedu]

Hello from the beautiful Manistee National Forest in Newaygo county! Thank you for showing the measurements for this. I have watched others make potato yeast, but they never give the measurements. Going to try this!

[@sandyhathaway3404]

If you can't find yeast ,you can use dried ground hops too,,,,great job

[@Mae-rr5ye]

So helpful! My dough took longer to rise and I was wondering if it was just part of the process. Next step: Apple yeast water . Super fun to try and see grow. Life at your fingertips! God is so cool 😁

[@M4R1N4]

Did you try this with apple water? If so, how did it go? Neat idea!

[@salvatorebaleno9807]

That's really cool. Good to know for sure "just incase"

[@lorrainemartin371]

I like this. We're bound to run out of yeast at some point. Cheers fella. Greetings from England

[@swarajyasehajpal2658]

Simple to follow clear and concise recipe to start yeast at home 👍👍👍👍🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@helennelmes7560]

The bread looks great!

[@mariaanderson6503]

Wow 😮 thank you for the recipe 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@tracycouture3955]

Awesome, thanks so much 👍❤🍞

[@Br1cht]

Thanks, quite informative.

[@sweethomestead2625]

Thanks for the great video.

[@averagejoesmiling456]

This knowledge could come in handy if, once again, yeast is difficult to find in stores. Thanks Great Lakes. Always learn something from your videos!

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thanks Drummer. I hope all is well with you.

[@averagejoesmiling456]

@@GreatLakesPrepping All is well in respect to how much the world allows things to be well these days. And You? How are things?

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

@@averagejoesmiling456 Yea, doing alright. Doing the best I can, like everyone I suppose.

[@janisvalenzuela1926]

Beautiful

[@heidiedelman6840]

I am going to try this!

[@terry902]

Cool, I can mash and eat the potato after straining. No waste…

[@dianehoffman6640]

Ty will try this . I thought bread looked good

[@gowest5145]

Thanks, I bought some yeast in the store and didn't use it. I'm sure it is expired.. This is a great way to get yeast without running to the store.

[@karenowens8287]

I keep some in freezer. I then let it grow like you do from scratch.

[@Mumsgardenoasis]

if you do not have filtered water - you can let the tap water stand in a measuring cup for several hours and the chlorine will evaporate.

[@rodneyaker5111]

thanks!

[@canoestothemoon]

Just discovered your channel and I gotta say wow... some great content. This video especially because we seem to have a problem in our area (NE Ohio) where most of the yeast found in grocery stores is either low quality or past expiration. I haven't been able to make a decent homemade pizza in at least a year. Gonna give this one a try. Thanx!

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thanks for that, I appreciate it!

[@ylchen77]

生面粉，全麥粉加等量水也可以發酵。(它們本身帶細菌霉菌，空氣中亦有仙人掌菌等。)煮沸的土豆塊？

[@janonthemtn]

Always make sure to get ALL green off of any potato before using. Keep potatoes in the dark when storing.

[@mondopinion3777]

Aquarium keepers know that chlorinated water can be dechlorinated by letting it stand 24 hours in an open container.

[@davidadausuel4537]

Thank you for this valuable piece of information, I love to bake, and this is very useful, because I always have to boil the water before I bake with it, or ferment vegetables. I would love to receive more of your knowledge about other food preparation techniques.

[@ritakay3003]

❤thank you

[@spicegirl7021]

Hi I just found your video now And I like it watching from Maco Davao de Oro Philippines

[@elenaceleste4363]

Your video is straight forward easy to follow great video for beginners. Some video I've watched blah blah blah, talks so fast is didn't made any sense Thank you for your video.❤👍👍👍👍👍

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thank you, I appreciate you saying so.

[@annmcilvenna3973]

It is very helpful as a lot of time that I buy packet yeast it is out of date by the time I use it and I have to throw it away thanks 😊

[@judywood4530]

Potato bread, traditional yeast bread that incorporates some leftover mashed potatoes, will develop mold more quickly than yeast bread without potatoes. Air-borne yeasts REALLY like potatoes.

[@msms4659]

Tanks very much for sarin this. Much appreciated. I wonder if you use more yeast and let it rise longer if it will be fluffier product.

[@cindi2836]

I hope this helps, I've been making bread for a while, and it looks like your dough may need a bit more water at the end then let it sit for 15 mins then press all the bubbles out then Place in a sink of warm water for an hour then butter bread pan roll and pinch then let rise more then put in oven

[@KimsKluckers]

I enjoyed your video and look forward to watching more. I too am from Michigan, Gladwin County aka God's country. 😊. I learned of your site from AP,

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Thank you Kim, I appreciate it.

[@meridomo2677]

Definitely makes sense, wonder if adding more of the yeast mixture would give an airy pores to the bread? This recipe is by far the best potato yeast I’ve watched.

[@davidadausuel4537]

I was searching for this comment.

[@studio_547]

It looks so appetizing and already drooling💚💚I could almost smell it!️💚💚Thanks for sharing💚💚stay connected💚💚

[@ernestinewatson4444]

We do this in South Africa. It was a Dutch concept.

[@Therese100109]

Pretty nifty!! 😎👍🏻 I wonder if sweet potatoes would work.

[@simonparkinson5454]

Why not anything that's natural do the boil thing as it kills off any baddies want bread not cider

[@Random.Adventures.]

7:00 anyway to preserve this to use at a later date?

[@LUCKYB.]

You can usec2 or 3 small tables. Their is a off set apposed to tighten the lid and tight the lid so no mold .

[@doraharrison1642]

???

[@davidadausuel4537]

I would like to understand what you are saying, but your comment is a bit confusing. Maybe a typo perhaps?

[@ahmedmoola3312]

Can I let mine sit for a week? Is that ok?

[@hakes187]

A fellow Michigander

[@jill-go7gd]

I wonder if you can use instant potatoes

[@SG-wq4rm]

if this works, I am going to give you whatever you want 😁 Question for you!!! Can I put in partially wrapped blanket for 24 hrs because my kitchen, my house is always cold???? Does it have to have some sort of light for ferment because blanket might not have that. Please let me know.

[@ahmedmoola3312]

How long can you let it sit for? Can you let it sit for a week?

[@simonparkinson5454]

Keep feeding it should be play if it smells off not yeasty then it has died from a Baker in the UK

[@simonparkinson5454]

Sweet dough is another good way to keep the flavour a couple of walnut sized bits of the dough you make in the jar will develop your unique taste . Difference in artisan and plant bread no guff just what we put 8n I don't want it to last for a week wanna eat it all a d make more

[@dandycat2204]

So really, this is just a sourdough starter, but made with potato starch water, rather than plain water?

[@Korin-qe9zl]

Thanks for sharing, gluten-free flour can be used for those who are sensitive to regular flour. Thank you for your answer.

[@leah3084]

Can I double the amount in order to make more bread and use up all the yeast ?

[@fauxgoddess]

Yes.

[@redwoodsorel5173]

Could you have let it rise longer? Like all day maybe?

[@br2080]

Would this work with potato flakes if you don’t have a potato?

[@davidadausuel4537]

I have had great success using potato flakes, especially in making cinnamon rolls,or pizza dough. It comes out fluffy and moist. I just add the flakes into the flour, and proceed from there.

[@mikenewman4078]

Try a dry towel. The damp one cools the dough too much.

[@msdony308]

what if you dont have special Bread Flour ?

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

You can always use regular flour, but it generally won't rise as much, or get as fluffy. Alternatively, you can buy a small bag of something called vital wheat gluten, and add that to regular flour (which is basically how they make bread flour).

[@paulschwartz2464]

Have you ever tested if outdated yeast is really useless? I'l like to know.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Hi Paul, I've definitely had expired yeast not work. I've even had yeast still within the "use by date" not work. It's why nowadays I always proof my yeast before using it, even if it's "instant" yeast that doesn't need to be proofed. By proofing it first, I can see whether or not it gets foamy and frothy before wasting a whole loaf and a bunch of work.

[@flyingtime5501]

I just used 6 year old dead yeast last night n made a great loaf. I was checking proof in a jar with warm water n sugar n forgot it overnight. In morning it was finally frothy so I took a chance n it worked out great.

[@Jellybean-]

If you can't get ahold of white sugar, can you use raw sugar?

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

I don't see why not

[@jamespayne8781]

Essentially yeast need sugar. However there’s a few types of sugar. Sucrose, fructose, lactose etc. Yeasts will eat anything that will ferment. The more refined the easier for yeast to eat but you can use sweet fruit, dried fruits, honey, refined sugar etc with slightly different results from each. I’ve done natural capture with raisins, honey and refined sucrose. Now I’ll have to try potato LOL.

[@nancyw.sullivan8675]

Should not need to keep adding sugar, the gluten in the flour will feed the yeast. We only feed sourdough with just flour.

[@RedStorm.]

Do you also have a gardening channel? Or your brother maybe? You look and sound just like another person on you tube, his channel is Learn Organic Gardening by Grow Your Greens

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Ha, I guess I see a tiny bit of resemblance. No, I don't happen to be related to or know him. I wish I did though, because I'd probably be a much better gardener if I did!

[@trwsandford]

It becomes sourdough in time

[@leonboden9189]

you want the starch

[@halihalihaidiho]

Rewana bread

[@zacadams6792]

well the hat was interesting ... briefly.

[@rhondapelletier2141]

It is safe to eat something that’s been sitting out for a day??? Lol I don’t want to end up with food poisoning.

[@stevenfoster2581]

What does your hat say

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

It says Great Lakes Prepping

[@shirleybawden54]

Sun must be really bad in that kitchen

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

How do you mean?

[@Ger4rds]

Too much talks.

[@GreatLakesPrepping]

Instructional videos often involve a fair amount of talking. Not really sure how to avoid that unless I make my instructional videos less...instructional.