World's Easiest Yeast Bread recipe - Artisan, NO KNEAD

World's Easiest Yeast Bread recipe - Artisan, NO KNEAD

Recipe video above. This super crusty homemade bread recipe is going to blow your mind! The world’s easiest yeast bread that’s just like the very best artisan bread you pay top dollar for, with an incredible crispy, chewy crust, and big fat holes like sourdough. Recipe is forgiving so don’t fret if things don’t go perfectly, it will be salvageable. SEE NOTES for options like no dutch oven, different yeast, MAKE AHEAD up to 3 days! And tomorrow, make the Cheese Bread version!

Ingredients

  • flour)

    , bread or plain/all purpose (note 1

    3 c
  • instant or rapid rise yeast)

    (note 2 for normal / active dry yeast

    2 tsp
  • cooking / kosher salt)

    , not table salt (note 3

    2 tsp
  • very warm tap water)

    , not boiling or super hot (ie up to 55°c/130°f

    1 ½ c
  • flour

    , for dusting

    1 ½ tbsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Mix Dough: Mix flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add water, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to mix until all the flour is incorporated. Dough will be wet and sloppy – not kneadable, but not runny like cake batter. Adjust with more water or flour if needed for right consistency (see video at 17 sec, Note 5).

  2. 2

    Rise: Cover with cling wrap or plate, leave on counter for 2 - 3 hours until it doubles in volume, it’s wobbly like jelly and the top is bubbly (see video at 24 seconds). If after 1 hour it doesn’t seem to be rising, move it somewhere warmer (Note 6).

  3. 3

    Optional – refrigerate for flavour development (Note 9): At this stage, you can either bake immediately (move onto Step 5) or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

  4. 4

    Take chill out of refrigerated dough – if you refrigerated dough per above, leave the bowl on the counter for 45 - 60 minutes while the oven is preheating. Cold dough does not rise as well.

  5. 5

    Preheat oven (Note 7) - Put dutch oven in oven with lid on (26cm/10" or larger). Preheat to 230°C/450°F (220° fan) 30 minutes prior to baking. (Note 8 for no dutch oven)

  6. 6

    Shape dough: Sprinkle work surface with 1 tbsp flour, scrape dough out of bowl. Sprinkle top with 1/2 tbsp flour.

  7. 7

    Using a dough scraper or anything of similar shape (cake server, large knife, spatula), fold the sides inwards (about 6 folds) to roughly form a roundish shape. Don’t be too meticulous here – you’re about to deform it, it’s more about deflating the bubbles in the dough and forming a shape you can move.

  8. 8

    Transfer to paper: Slide a large piece of parchment/baking paper (not wax paper) next to the dough, then flip the dough upside down onto the paper (ie seam side down, smooth side up). Slide/push it towards the middle, then reshape it into a round(ish) shape. Don't get too hung up about shape. In fact, lopsided = more ridges = more crunchy bits!

  9. 9

    Dough in pot: Remove piping hot dutch oven from oven. Use paper to place dough into pot, place lid on.

  10. 10

    Bake 30 minutes covered, then 12 minutes uncovered or until deep golden and crispy.

  11. 11

    Cool on rack for 10 minutes before slicing.

World's Easiest Yeast Bread recipe - Artisan, NO KNEAD

World's Easiest Yeast Bread recipe - Artisan, NO KNEAD

5.0(1.8k)155 cal

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 that perfect, rustic artisan bread without all the fuss and effort? This no knead recipe makes it incredibly easy to achieve bakery-quality results right in your own kitchen, delivering a loaf that tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery. You'll be amazed at how simple it is to create such a showstopper.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this recipe lies in its remarkable simplicity – there's no laborious kneading required, yet it still develops an incredible crispy, chewy crust and a crumb filled with those signature big fat holes typically found in sourdough. This method allows time to do most of the work, letting the yeast slowly build flavor and structure, ensuring a truly satisfying loaf. It's also wonderfully forgiving, so even if you're new to baking, you'll find success.

What to Expect

Prepare for a deeply satisfying loaf with a remarkably crispy, crackly exterior that gives way to a soft, open interior. The rich aroma of freshly baked bread will fill your home, promising a taste that's pure, rustic bliss. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and a subtle yeasty flavor that’s perfect for elevating any meal. This easy homemade bread truly delivers on its promise of artisan quality without the hassle.

Customization & Variations

The recipe is designed for flexibility. The original notes mention options for baking without a Dutch oven, and guidance for using different types of yeast, ensuring you can make this bread with what you have on hand. For future meals, you can also explore the Cheese Bread version for a delightful savory twist.

Serving & Context

Serve this gorgeous crusty bread warm with a generous smear of good butter, alongside hearty soups, or simply with your favorite olive oil and balsamic for dipping. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, special gatherings, or for enjoying as a comforting snack anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions