Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Minimal Effort: No kneading required, making it easy for beginners or those with little time.
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Crispy Crust, Soft Interior: The bread develops a thick, crispy crust and a light, chewy inside—just like artisanal bread.
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Convenient: It only requires a few ingredients and a long resting period, making it ideal for busy schedules.
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Customizable: You can add herbs, seeds, or even a bit of honey to customize the flavor.
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Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether for breakfast, sandwiches, or as a side, this bread suits any meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
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1 1/2 teaspoons salt
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1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
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1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
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1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Directions
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Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Add the warm water and olive oil (if using) and stir until the mixture forms a shaggy dough.
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Let It Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for about 12-18 hours, or until it has doubled in size and is dotted with bubbles.
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Preheat the Oven: About 30 minutes before the dough is ready, place a Dutch oven (with the lid on) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C).
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Shape the Dough: Once the dough has rested, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. Gently fold the dough over itself a few times to shape it into a rough ball. Don’t overwork the dough.
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Prepare to Bake: Place a piece of parchment paper in the Dutch oven and carefully transfer the dough onto it. Cover with the lid.
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Bake the Bread: Bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 1 loaf (about 12-16 slices)
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Prep Time: 5 minutes for mixing, plus 12-18 hours for resting
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Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
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Total Time: 12-18 hours (including resting time)
Variations
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Herbed No Knead Bread: Add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs such as rosemary or thyme to the flour mixture for a fragrant, flavorful twist.
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Seeded Bread: Mix in sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
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Sweetened Bread: Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or sugar to the dough for a slightly sweeter version.
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Whole Wheat No Knead Bread: Substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more rustic bread.
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Garlic Bread: Add minced garlic or garlic powder to the dough for a savory version of this no-knead recipe.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store the bread in a paper bag or a bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh longer.
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Freezing: Slice the bread and freeze individual slices in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, toast the slices directly from the freezer.
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Reheating: If the bread is no longer fresh, wrap it in foil and place it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to warm it up and refresh the crust.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, but you’ll need to activate it in warm water before adding it to the flour. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly before mixing it with the flour and salt.
Can I make this bread without a Dutch oven?
Yes, if you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can bake the bread on a baking sheet. Just place a shallow pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam for a crispy crust.
Can I let the dough rest for less than 12 hours?
You can shorten the resting time, but the longer the dough rests, the better the flavor and texture. If you need to speed it up, you can let it rise in a warm area for about 4-6 hours, but it might not have the same depth of flavor.
How can I tell when the bread is done baking?
The bread is done when it has a deep golden-brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use a thermometer—bread is typically done when it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F (93°C).
Can I use a regular pot instead of a Dutch oven?
You can use a regular oven-safe pot, as long as it has a lid. If it doesn’t have a lid, you can loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil during the first part of baking to help create steam.
Can I use a stand mixer instead of mixing by hand?
Yes, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook to mix the dough, but it’s not necessary for this no-knead recipe. Mixing by hand is easier and more traditional for this method.
How can I make the bread extra crispy?
To get an extra crispy crust, make sure your oven is fully preheated, and bake the bread with steam during the first part of baking (either by using a Dutch oven or placing a pan of water in the oven). You can also bake the bread at a slightly higher temperature, like 475°F (245°C), for a more intense crust.
Can I make this bread with different flours?
Yes, you can experiment with other flours, like whole wheat, bread flour, or even a gluten-free flour blend. Keep in mind that the texture may change, and you may need to adjust the hydration slightly. For gluten-free, make sure to use a blend designed for baking.
Can I add more liquid if the dough is too thick?
If the dough is too thick, you can add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. It should be slightly sticky but not runny. Don’t add too much liquid at once.
Conclusion
No Knead Bread is a fantastic, easy way to enjoy homemade bread without all the fuss. The minimal effort involved and the incredible flavor make it a favorite for both beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With a crispy crust and soft interior, this bread is perfect for all kinds of meals and occasions. Try it once, and it’ll become a go-to recipe in your kitchen!
No Knead Bread
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 12-18 hours
- Yield: 12-16 slices
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
No Knead Bread is a simple, foolproof recipe that creates a delicious, homemade loaf with a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. With just a few basic ingredients and no kneading required, this bread is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a minimal-effort, flavorful bread to complement any meal.
Ingredients
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3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
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1 ½ teaspoons salt
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¼ teaspoon instant yeast
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1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
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Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Add the warm water and olive oil (if using), and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
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Let it rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours, or until it doubles in size and shows bubbles.
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Preheat the oven: About 30 minutes before the dough is ready, place a Dutch oven (with the lid on) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C).
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Shape the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Gently fold the dough over itself a few times to shape it into a rough ball.
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Prepare to bake: Place a piece of parchment paper in the preheated Dutch oven and carefully transfer the dough onto it. Cover with the lid.
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Bake the bread: Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow when tapped.
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Cool the bread: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For herbed bread, add 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary or thyme to the flour mixture.Whole wheat flour can be used for a heartier texture.Garlic bread: Add minced garlic or garlic powder to the dough for a savory variation.
