Why is kneading time so important?
Over kneading your dough can make bread or rolls tough after baking. It takes just the right amount of kneading to get bread products that are tender and light. Unless your goal is thick and chewy bread, knead the dough until it is elastic and all ingredients are well-mixed. Kneading by hand allows you to get a feel for the consistency of the dough, but using a stand mixer doesn’t give you that advantage. It’s easier and faster, but timing is everything [1]. It’s best to equip your stand mixer with an attachment called a dough hook.
How long to knead dough in a stand mixer?
When you’ve mixed the ingredients to form the dough, place it in the stand mixer bowl. The average time for kneading with a stand mixer is between 7-8 minutes [2]. Turn the mixer to the lowest speed, and let it work on the dough until you see that it’s holding onto the hooks and cleaning the sides of the bowl as it makes its revolutions. After the dough reaches this stage, maintain the mixer speed at low, and continue for approximately 4 more minutes. It should feel elastic and smooth when properly kneaded. Monitor the dough throughout the entire process to avoid over-kneading. Please don’t turn the mixer to a higher speed, as it will throw off the timing and make the dough tougher.
Benefits of using a stand mixer to knead the dough
The best stand mixers take about 7-8 minutes to complete the kneading process. It takes as long as 25 minutes to knead the dough by hand. Hand-kneading is labor intensive and can tire your arms, hands, and wrists. It’s a lot of work. You can save both time and effort by using a stand mixer.
What is the best stand mixer?
The top-rated stand mixer is the Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer.
Hamilton Beach’s Electric Stand Mixer comes with a dough hook, a splash guard, flat beater attachments, and a whisk. You get 7 speeds for a range of choices. Consumers gave it 9.9 out of 10 stars for a nearly perfect rating. The heavy-duty, durable mixer is up to the task of kneading the dough with ease. It sells for $90. The color is black. The mixer performs the same functions as the KitchenAid brand mixers. The design offers quick-change attachments and can mix thick ingredients with ease. The movement of the dynamic stand helps to mix ingredients faster with no scripting of the sides required. The durable stainless steel construction adds to the longevity of the mixer for years of use and dependability. Amazon ratings of 4.5 give it a lowball compared to other consumer screening websites; other reviews move this unit up the list of the top 10 with a 9.9.
The most affordable stand mixer
The Phisinic Stand Mixer has a rating of 4.7 out of 5-stars. Although not as highly rated, it offers 6-speeds and a tilt head. The Phisinic has a larger bowl with a 5.8-quart capacity. It comes with a dough hook, a beater, and a wire whip. Combine the heavy-duty mixer and a reasonable price of $45.49. You have exceptional value. The mixer is not only larger, but it’s also half the cost of the Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer. Both machines operate at 550 Watts of power. This unit’s ratings indicate that more expensive machines are not necessarily better. Best Reviews place this mixer at a 7.5, bringing the average consumer score down below Hamilton Beach in terms of quality and overall satisfaction.
Is there a difference in how long to knead the dough with different stand mixer brands?
No. The amount of time required to knead the dough properly remains the same for all stand mixer brands, from top-rated to most affordable. Whether Hamilton Beach, Phisinic, Cuisinart, or any other brand, 7-8 minutes is a rule of thumb. Low speed may vary slightly from one stand mixer to another. It’s essential to monitor the process until you see the dough cleaning the sides of the bowl and sticking to the dough hooks. Stick with the tips offered in this guide to get the best results.
Final thoughts
How long to knead dough in a stand mixer does not change from one brand to another. It’s a constant you can depend on within a few minutes of mixing time. Even if you’ve never used a machine to prepare the dough, saving the wear and tear and fatigue on your wrists and arms is worth the cost.
Knead dough in a fraction of the time over hand-kneading for beautiful results in less time. If you’re on a budget, the Phisinic Stand Mixer is recommended by consumers with a well-above-average satisfaction rating, depending on who you ask. It has fewer speeds, but the bowl is larger and far less expensive. The Hamilton Beach model has an extra speed but operates with the same power. The stainless steel components will likely last longer through years of use.