This no-knead bread is the perfect introduction to yeast baking. It requires minimal effort, only a handful of ingredients, and produces a crispy crust with a soft, airy interior… just like a bakery-style artisan loaf.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360g) bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
- 1 ½ cups (350ml) warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
Instructions
- Mix the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast.
- Add warm water and mix with a spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. No kneading required!
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
- Shape the Dough
- After resting, the dough will be bubbly and sticky. Turn it out onto a well-floured surface.
- Gently fold it over itself a few times to form a round shape (don’t knead).
- Second Rise (Optional, but recommended)
- Place the shaped dough on parchment paper and cover it loosely with a towel.
- Let it rise for another 30-60 minutes while preheating the oven.
- Preheat the Oven & Dutch Oven
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place a Dutch oven (or heavy oven-safe pot with a lid) inside the oven to heat up for 30 minutes.
- Bake the Bread
- Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven and place the parchment paper with the dough inside.
- Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
- Cool & Enjoy
- Let the bread cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing (this helps set the structure).
- Enjoy with butter, olive oil, or your favorite spreads!
Need Help? Troubleshooting your bread
