Description
This easy no-knead bread recipe uses a Dutch oven to effortlessly create a warm, crusty, artisan-style loaf with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy families craving homemade bread with incredible flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 0.25 teaspoon instant or active dry yeast
- 1.5 teaspoons fine sea salt
Instructions
- Mix The Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and mix until a shaggy, sticky dough forms with no dry streaks; avoid kneading.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature (68-72°F / 20-22°C) for 12-18 hours, or until doubled and bubbly.
- Shape The Dough: Lightly flour your work surface. Gently scrape the risen dough onto the surface, fold the edges towards the center a few times, shaping it into a rough ball without deflating too much.
- Second Rise: Place the shaped dough seam-side down onto parchment paper or a floured kitchen towel, cover, and let rest for 30-60 minutes while the oven preheats.
- Preheat Oven And Dutch Oven: Place an empty 5-6 quart Dutch oven with its lid into the cold oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) for at least 30 minutes to thoroughly heat the Dutch oven.
- Bake Covered: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven. Lift the dough on its parchment paper and gently lower it into the Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden-brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F (93-99°C).
- Cool Bread: Carefully transfer the baked bread from the Dutch oven to a wire rack. Let it cool completely for at least 1 hour before slicing to allow the interior to set properly.
Notes
For best results, use warm water and good quality flour. Do not skip preheating the Dutch oven for a crispy crust, and resist cutting the bread while hot to prevent a gummy texture. Active dry yeast requires extra proofing, unlike instant yeast. A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can be used as a substitute, adjusting water as necessary. Optionally, sprinkle with whole grain flour before baking for a healthier loaf.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (70 g)
- Calories: 190 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: easy bread, no knead, Dutch oven, homemade, artisan, simple, baking, yeast, crusty