1. Remove the bread pan from your bread machine and ensure the kneading paddle is securely in place.

2. Pour the warm water, honey or maple syrup, and olive oil into the bread machine pan.

3. Carefully add the salt, whole wheat flour, bread flour, rolled oats, and flax seeds on top of the liquid ingredients. Try to keep the salt separate from the yeast at this stage.

4. Make a small indentation in the center of the dry ingredients (but not so deep that it touches the liquid) and add the active dry yeast into this well.

5. Place the bread pan back into the bread machine. Close the lid and select the “Whole Wheat” or “Basic Whole Grain” cycle. Choose your desired crust color and loaf size. Press start.

6. During the initial mixing phase (first 5-10 minutes), briefly check the dough. If it seems too dry, add water one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too wet, add whole wheat flour one teaspoon at a time. Close the lid and let the machine complete its cycle.

7. Once the bread machine beeps, carefully remove the hot bread pan. Invert the pan onto a wire cooling rack and gently shake to release the loaf. If the kneading paddle is stuck, carefully remove it.

8. Allow the bread to cool on the wire rack for at least 30 minutes to an hour before slicing.