Rustic Bread Recipe

Rustic Bread Recipe

8 servings
This dutch oven no knead Easy Rustic Bread is the perfect beginner friendly loaf. You only need 4 ingredients to make it and no sourdough starter. This rustic bread can be made start to finish in a few hours or you can rest it overnight in the fridge.

Ingredients

  • 3 1/3 cups bread flour*

    434 g

  • 1 standard packet

    2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast*

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt*
  • 1 2/3 cups warm water

    110 degrees, 395 ml

Directions

  1. 1

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, yeast, and salt.

  2. 2

    Pour warm water over dry ingredients.

  3. 3

    Mix in the water, until all of the flour is absorbed. The dough will be very wet and sticky.

  4. 4

    Push all of the dough towards the center of the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

  5. 5

    Place the dough in a warm spot, like a window sill, near the oven, or even in the oven with just the light on.

  6. 6

    Let the dough rise for 3 hours. Optional: Place covered dough in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 3 days.

  7. 7

    If the bread was in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature for about an hour. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees with a dutch oven placed on the middle rack so it can preheat as well. If you do not have a dutch oven, use a pizza stone or baking sheet. See notes.

  8. 8

    Using a spatula or plastic bench scraper, loosen the dough from the sides of the bowl by scraping the dough inward.

  9. 9

    Dump the dough on a well floured surface.

  10. 10

    Use the scraper to fold the dough gently over itself a few times until it starts to stick together.

  11. 11

    Flip the dough so the folded seam side is down. Use your hand and the scraper to gently tap the dough into a round loaf.

  12. 12

    Use a sharp knife or bread lame to score an ‘x’ into the top of the loaf.

  13. 13

    Gently twist the loaf with one hand on the side and the scraper underneath onto a sheet of parchment paper.

  14. 14

    Transfer the loaf to the preheated dutch oven (or pan/stone) holding the ends of the paper.

  15. 15

    Cover the dutch oven with the preheated lid.

  16. 16

    Bake for 30 minutes covered. If not using a dutch oven, bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes.

  17. 17

    Uncover and bake for another 10-15 minute or until deep golden brown.

  18. 18

    Remove the bread for the dutch oven and cool on a wire rack for about an hour before slicing.

Rustic Bread Recipe

Rustic Bread Recipe

280 min8 servings

Similar Recipes

Homemade Sourdough Bread, Step by Step

Homemade Sourdough Bread, Step by Step

Inspired by The Clever Carrot If you are new to sourdough, watch the step-by-step video here: Simple Sourdough Bread or in the post above.  Troubleshooting: If you have issues with your dough being too sticky, please read this post: Why is my sourdough so sticky? The 4 common mistakes. Notes: You need an active sourdough starter. I have had success activating starters from: King Arthur Flour Breadtopia As always, I highly recommend investing in a digital scale before beginning any bread baking adventure. This is the Dutch Oven I use for sourdough bread. I used this Dutch oven for years, and it's a great one, too. Flour sack towels are a great investment because they ensure your dough will not stick while it is proofing.  I love using rice flour for dusting (as opposed to ap or bread flour) because it doesn't burn. When you use a flour sack towel, however, you don't need to use any flour.  Find all of my sourdough essentials here: Essential Equipment For Sourdough Bread Baking I love a high-hydration dough, and I have great success using 380 grams of water in this recipe, so feel free to play around and push the hydration here.  Salt: I have had success using both kosher salt and fine sea salt here. When I use kosher salt, I use the Diamond Crystal brand. When I use sea salt, I use the Baleine Fine brand. Regardless of the brand, I use 12 grams.  Shaping: If you're looking to get a more open crumb, try shaping a batard (as opposed to a round). Watch this video for guidance. Also: The recipe below follows the traditional shape once, rest, then shape again method. I often skip the preshape now and simply shape the dough once. I still get a nice open crumb.  How much Sourdough Starter to Use? Because my kitchen is cold for much of the year, I like using 100 g (1/2 cup) of starter as opposed to 50 g (1/4 cup).  When determining how much starter to use, consider a few things: If you live in a warm, humid environment, 50 g should suffice. If you plan on doing an overnight rise, 50 g also should suffice. If you want  to speed things up or if you live in a cold environment, consider using 100 g starter. Note: If you use 100 g of starter, your dough may rise more quickly, so keep an eye on it. As always, rely on the visual cues (increasing in volume by 50%) when determining when the bulk fermentation is done.  A straight-sided vessel makes monitoring the bulk fermentation especially easy because it allows you to see when your dough has truly doubled.

18.8 hours

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About this Recipe

Dreaming of artisan bread but intimidated by complex recipes? This Easy Rustic Bread recipe is your perfect starting point, delivering that coveted homemade loaf without the fuss. It's a truly rewarding experience for anyone, especially beginner bakers.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe shines through its incredible simplicity and brilliant technique. You'll be amazed at the professional-quality loaf you can achieve with just four simple ingredients and no need for a fussy sourdough starter or extensive kneading. The Dutch oven method ensures a perfect crust every time.

What to Expect

Prepare for a beautifully crisp, golden crust that gives way to a tender, airy interior. This rustic bread has that satisfying chew and authentic charm everyone loves, making it feel straight from a European bakery. It's designed to be approachable, making the process of baking your own fresh bread an absolute joy from start to finish.

Customization & Variations

While this recipe is truly perfect in its simple form, it offers fantastic flexibility in its process. You can prepare this beautiful loaf for baking in just a few hours, or let it develop flavor overnight in the fridge for a deeper, more nuanced taste that fits your schedule.

Serving & Context

Serve your freshly baked rustic bread warm with butter, alongside a hearty stew, or as a delightful companion to any meal. It's ideal for casual family dinners or impressing guests with your baking prowess.

Frequently Asked Questions