No Knead Bread
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
active or rapid rise will work as well.
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 ½ cups barely warm water
100° F
- 3 cups bread flour
360 grams
- 2 teaspoons salt
see notes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Directions
- 1
See notes for making this without a Dutch oven.
- 2
Note: The dough in this recipe is sticky, gently handle with a silicone spatula throughout this process. (Not your hands.)
- 3
Combine the yeast, sugar, and water in a small bowl. Cover with saran wrap and let sit for 5 minutes.
- 4
Combine the flour and salt and stir to combine. Add the olive oil and water/yeast mixture and use a silicone spatula to combine until all of the flour is moist. The dough will be sticky.
- 5
Roughly shape into a ball and be sure to spray the top with cooking spray. Cover with saran wrap, and then with a dish towel. Let rise for 2-3 hours, until at least doubled in size. See notes for rising tips.
- 6
Optional step after rising: Transfer to the fridge for up to 3 days to develop more flavor. It will rise more, and may eventually deflate slightly, but that’s okay. After refrigerating, proceed with the steps below.
- 7
Use a silicone spatula to scrape the dough out of the bowl and turn it onto a sheet of floured parchment paper. Use a silicone spatula to fold the dough onto itself, by taking the outer edges and folding them into the middle, until a sturdier ball is formed. Spray with nonstick cooking spray, and cover loosely with saran wrap. Let it rest/rise for 45 minutes while you preheat the oven.
- 8
Preheat the oven to 425° F and place the Dutch oven inside, uncovered. (Verify that this is an acceptable practice with your brand of Dutch oven, some advise against preheating it with nothing inside.)
- 9
Remove the saran wrap from the dough. Using oven mitts, remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the parchment paper and carefully lower the parchment paper and dough into the Dutch oven. Close the lid right away and transfer it to the oven.
- 10
Bake for 40 minutes. Remove it from the oven and use a pastry brush to distribute 1 tablespoon of butter over the top, until melted. This will help it achieve a golden-brown color.
- 11
Return it to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- 12
Allow the bread to cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing in.
No Knead Bread
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 56 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Dreaming of homemade bread with a perfect crust and soft interior, but dread the kneading? This No Knead Bread recipe is your answer, making artisan-quality bread achievable for any home cook, delivering incredible flavor and texture with minimal effort.
The magic of no-knead bread lies in its extended proofing time, allowing gluten to develop naturally without manual effort. This technique, combined with the precise balance of instant yeast and warm water, ensures a light, airy crumb every time. The addition of a touch of olive oil and butter contributes to both flavor and a beautiful golden crust, whether you’re using a Dutch oven or not.
Prepare for the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. This loaf boasts a wonderfully crusty outside that gives way to a tender, light and airy inside, a texture balance often sought in bakeries. It’s a truly satisfying bake that feels gourmet but asks for minimal hands-on effort, perfect for cozy weekends or a special weeknight meal.
While this recipe shines with classic bread flour, you have flexibility. If you're out of instant yeast, active or rapid rise yeast will work just as effectively—the recipe is forgiving. For an even richer crust, a little extra olive oil brushed on top before baking can enhance its golden hue. If you prefer a subtle savory twist, you could experiment with adding dried herbs to the dough.
This versatile No Knead Bread is perfect alongside hearty soups and saucy pastas, for building delicious sandwiches, or simply for dipping into your favorite olive oil or spreads. Its impressive presentation makes it suitable for family dinners or entertaining friends.