Extruded wheat flours, due to their increased water absorption capacity, constitute an opportunity to
increase bread output in bakery production. However extrusion may modify dough and bread characteristics.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the substitution of 5% of the wheat flour by
extruded wheat flour (produced with different time-temperature extrusion treatments) on dough mixing,
handling and fermentation behaviour and bread volume, shape, texture and colour. The RVA
curves indicate that extrusion intensity increases with increasing temperature or water content. Water
absorption capacity rises with increasing treatment intensity, but dough stability tends to decrease.
Adding extruded flours decreases dough extensibility but increases tenacity and gas production. Differences
in dough structure were observed on photomicrography, though there were no clear differences
in bread quality. These results indicate that it is possible to obtain adequate dough and bread characteristics
using dough with 5% extruded wheat flour