Traditional Sweet Potato and Mixed Seed Damper Bread

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic Australian damper bread enriched with sweet potato and topped with a crunchy mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. This australian-inspired quick meals ready in about 60 minutes pairs (500 g) self-raising flour, (200 g) sweet potato, cooked and mashed, (75 g) mixed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 8 Australian cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). In a large bowl, combine 4 cups (500 g) self-raising flour with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 cup (75 g) mixed seeds, reserving 2 tbsp seeds for topping.
  2. Step 2: Rub 60 g cold chopped butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup (200 g) cooked and mashed sweet potato and 1 tbsp honey.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) milk, mixing with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
  5. Step 5: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently for 1 minute until smooth. Shape into a round loaf about 20 cm in diameter.
  6. Step 6: Place loaf on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush the top with a little milk and sprinkle reserved 2 tbsp mixed seeds.
  7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the crust is golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Step 8: Cool slightly before slicing and serving warm with butter.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Sweet Potato and Mixed Seed Damper Bread take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Traditional Sweet Potato and Mixed Seed Damper Bread?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (500 g) self-raising flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Sweet Potato and Mixed Seed Damper Bread?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Traditional Sweet Potato and Mixed Seed Damper Bread for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Traditional Sweet Potato and Mixed Seed Damper Bread?

Australian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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