Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No-Knead Bread is incredibly easy to make and requires no special baking skills. The long resting time allows the dough to develop deep, rich flavors without any effort on your part. All you need to do is mix the ingredients together, let the dough rise, and bake! The result is a golden, crusty loaf with an airy, soft interior—perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as a side to any meal. It’s the perfect beginner-friendly recipe for homemade bread with minimal effort!
Ingredients
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
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1 1/2 cups water (room temperature)
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1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for flavor)
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1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional, for a slight sweetness)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Stir in the water (and optional olive oil and honey, if using) until the mixture forms a sticky dough. Use a spoon or your hands to bring everything together.
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Let the Dough Rest: Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours (overnight works great). During this time, the dough will rise and develop flavor.
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Shape the Dough: Once the dough has rested and is bubbly and risen, lightly flour a clean surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and fold it over itself a few times to form a rough ball.
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Second Rise: Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper or in a bowl dusted with flour. Cover it again and let it rise for 1-2 hours, until it’s puffy and has expanded.
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Preheat the Oven: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a heavy Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with a lid inside to heat up.
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Bake the Bread: Once the oven is preheated, carefully remove the hot pot. Using the parchment paper, transfer the dough into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy fresh or store in an airtight container.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 8-10
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Prep Time: 10 minutes (not including rising time)
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Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
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Total Time: 12-18 hours (including resting time)
Variations
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Herb Bread: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs like rosemary or thyme to the flour mixture before mixing the dough to infuse the bread with a savory flavor.
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Garlic Bread: Add 2-3 minced garlic cloves to the dough for a garlicky twist.
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Whole Wheat No-Knead Bread: Substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a denser, heartier loaf.
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Seeded Bread: Add sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds to the dough for extra crunch and flavor.
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Sweetened No-Knead Bread: Add a tablespoon of sugar or honey to the dough for a sweeter loaf that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store the bread in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bread for up to 2 months.
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Reheating: To refresh the bread, wrap it in foil and heat it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast. If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm water (around 110°F/45°C) and let it sit for about 5 minutes before adding it to the flour mixture.
Can I make this dough in a bread machine?
While this recipe is designed for hand-mixing, you can use a bread machine on the “dough” setting to mix and rise the dough. Just be sure to follow the bread machine’s instructions for ingredients and timing.
Can I use a different type of flour?
Yes, you can experiment with other types of flour, such as whole wheat or bread flour. Keep in mind that different flours may require slightly different amounts of water, so add it gradually until you achieve the right consistency.
How can I tell if the bread is done?
The bread is done when the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use a thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be around 200°F (93°C).
Can I use a different type of pot?
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can use any oven-safe pot with a lid or even a heavy baking sheet with a metal bowl inverted on top. Just ensure that the pot is large enough to allow the bread to rise.
Can I make this bread without a Dutch oven?
While a Dutch oven gives the bread its signature crust, you can bake it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place a shallow pan of water in the oven to create steam, which will help the bread’s crust develop.
Can I speed up the rising time?
For a quicker version, you can shorten the rising times by using warm water and increasing the amount of yeast. However, the long resting period is key to developing the bread’s flavor and texture, so we recommend allowing it to rise slowly if you can.
Can I add other flavors or fillings to the dough?
Yes, you can add ingredients like olives, cheese, or dried fruits to the dough before the second rise. Just fold them in gently to ensure they’re evenly distributed.
Conclusion
No-Knead Bread is a fantastic recipe that allows you to enjoy homemade, artisan-style bread with minimal effort. With a crispy, golden crust and a soft, chewy interior, this bread is perfect for any meal. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is easy to follow and yields a delicious loaf every time. Give it a try, and enjoy the comfort of freshly baked bread in the comfort of your own kitchen!
No-Knead Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 12-18 hours
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
No-Knead Bread is a simple and effortless recipe that produces a rustic loaf with a golden, crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior. With minimal ingredients and no kneading required, this beginner-friendly recipe delivers delicious homemade bread that’s perfect for any meal. Enjoy it with soups, stews, or just with butter and jam for a comforting treat!
Ingredients
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
-
1 1/2 cups water (room temperature)
-
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional, for slight sweetness)
Instructions
-
Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Stir in the water, olive oil, and honey (if using) until the mixture forms a sticky dough. Use a spoon or your hands to bring everything together.
-
Let the Dough Rest: Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours (overnight works great). The dough will rise and develop flavor during this time.
-
Shape the Dough: Once the dough is bubbly and risen, lightly flour a clean surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and fold it over itself a few times to form a rough ball.
-
Second Rise: Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper or in a bowl dusted with flour. Cover it again and let it rise for 1-2 hours, until it’s puffy and has expanded.
-
Preheat the Oven: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a heavy Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with a lid inside to heat up.
-
Bake the Bread: Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven. Using the parchment paper, transfer the dough into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and continue to bake for 15-20 more minutes, until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
-
Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy fresh or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Variations:Herb Bread: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried rosemary or thyme to the flour mixture for a savory twist.Garlic Bread: Add 2-3 minced garlic cloves for a garlicky flavor.Whole Wheat: Swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf.Seeded Bread: Add sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds for extra crunch.Storage:Store the bread in a paper bag or wrapped in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread for up to 2 months.Reheating: Reheat by wrapping the bread in foil and placing it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
