No Knead Artisan Bread
A simple and delicious no-knead artisan bread that results in a crisp crust and soft inside with minimal effort, perfect for beginners.
Ingredients
Bread Ingredients
- 3 cups flour (bread or plain/all-purpose) Use high-quality flour for the best taste.
- 2 tsp instant or rapid rise yeast You can also use regular yeast but it needs to be activated in warm water.
- 2 tsp cooking/kosher salt Do NOT use table salt.
- 1.5 cups very warm tap water The water should be warm but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- 1.5 tbsp flour (for dusting)
Instructions
Mix Dough
- In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt.
- Add water and stir using a wooden spoon to combine everything.
- The dough will be wet and sloppy. Adjust with more flour or water if needed.
Rise
- Cover the bowl with cling wrap or a plate.
- Leave on the counter for 2–3 hours until it doubles in size and is bubbly.
- If it hasn’t risen in 1 hour, find a warmer spot.
Optional – Refrigerate for Flavor
- You can bake right away or refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days for better flavor.
- If refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for 45–60 minutes before baking.
Preheat Oven
- Place a Dutch oven (at least 10"/26cm) in your oven.
- Preheat to 230°C/450°F for 30 minutes before baking.
Shape Dough
- Sprinkle your work surface with 1 tbsp flour.
- Scrape the dough out of the bowl and sprinkle the top with 1/2 tbsp flour.
- Gently fold the sides inward to form a rough round shape.
Transfer to Paper
- Slide a large piece of parchment paper next to the dough.
- Flip the dough onto the paper, smooth side up and seam side down.
- Reshape if necessary.
Dough in Pot
- Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven.
- Use the parchment to place the dough inside.
- Put the lid on and bake for 30 minutes.
Bake Uncovered
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool on Rack
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes on a rack before slicing.
Notes
This artisan bread is versatile. You can enjoy it plain, with butter, or your favorite spreads. Wonderful for making sandwiches, bruschetta, or dipping in soups. Store leftovers in a paper bag at room temperature for 1-2 days; freeze slices in a zip-top bag for longer storage.