Last updated on March 27th, 2018 at 05:51 pm
No Knead Bread – no kneading required, 4 simple ingredients, baked in a Dutch Oven! The result is simple perfection, hands down the best bread you’ll ever eat!
I shared this recipe with you guys almost 4 years ago and I have to share it again because it is one of my favorite recipes of all time and it’s one I make often, plus I made a video for you guys! Whenever I want a crusty bread, this is the recipe I go to, it really couldn’t get any easier. The simplicity of this no knead bread is what I love the most and the fact that your entire house will smell of fresh bread as you bake this. This bread could not get any easier, it’s even easier than the artisan bread.
The ingredients are the same as for the artisan bread but the way it’s made, totally different. The thought of baking bread in a cast iron pot with the lid on never crossed my mind years ago, but it makes complete sense. As you bake it with the lid on, it creates steam inside the pot therefore creating a nice crust on the bread. We know steam makes crusty bread, I learned this a long time ago as well.
Do not worry about a thing. If you think there is no way your bread will look like this, you are so wrong. This could not get any easier. If you’ve never baked bread before you could still make this. Every single time I make this, I end up with a gorgeous loaf of bread. You cannot screw this up!
But admire the bread for a minute. Is that crust not perfection? Have you seen a better looking crust than that?
Now let me tell you about this no knead bread a bit. It is the best bread I have ever made. No lie! And I’ve made a few breads in my day. It is crusty, it is crunchy and it is flavorful. You know those great Italian loaves of bread with a nice crust to them that you buy from the local Italian bakery, it’s like that, but better because you made it yourself.
Making this could not get any easier. Simply mix the flour, salt and yeast together and then add the water to it. Mix it using a wooden spoon or spatula until it’s all incorporated, no need to over mix, it will look like a sticky mess. Cover up the bowl, let it rest outside on the counter for 12 to 18 hours. Yes, if you thought you were going to eat bread today you won’t, you have to let it rest for that long, and also please do not refrigerate it. I left mine for 18 hours overnight, and after all that time that sticky mess will rise and will become even stickier but that’s OK. You have to preheat your oven to 450 F degrees, and also preheat your cast iron pot as well. Apparently you don’t have to use a cast iron pot if you don’t have one, any other oven proof pot with a lid on would work. When the pot is heated, be careful not to burn yourself, using a lot of flour on your hands roughly shape the dough into a round ball, you don’t have to be perfect, and drop it in the pot. Put the lid on and bake it 30 minutes, after which remove the lid and let it bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until it’s nice and golden brown. Perfection.
And if I haven’t said it a million times, there is nothing better than warm bread, right out of your oven. I know you want to rush and make this right now. Oh by the way you can add other ingredients to the flour before adding the water, such as cheese, or herbs, that’s what I’m going to try next. 🙂
HOW TO MAKE NO KNEAD BREAD:
This recipe was originally shared Nov 10, 2012.
For other No Knead breads, try these:
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!
No Knead Bread - no kneading required, 4 simple ingredients, baked in a Dutch Oven! The result is simple perfection, hands down the best bread you'll ever eat!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups water room temperature
- In a big bowl mix the flour, salt and yeast together. Pour water into the bowl and using a spatula or a wooden spoon mix it until well incorporated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit on your counter for 12 to 18 hours.
- Preheat oven to 450 F degrees. Add your cast iron pot to the oven as it's heating and heat it as well until it's at 450 F degrees.
- Remove the pot from the oven and remove the lid from it. If you want to make sure your bread doesn't stick to the pot you can sprinkle some flour or cornmeal on the bottom of the pot.
- Flour your hands really well and also sprinkle a bit of flour over the dough. With your floured hands gently remove the dough from the bowl and roughly shape it into a ball. Take the ball of dough and drop it into the pot. Cover the pot with the lid and place it back in the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, after which remove the lid and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the pot, it should fall out easily. Let cool completely before slicing into it and serving.
I used a small 3.5 qt Dutch oven. A small Dutch oven is better here so that the bread rises upwards, whereas if you were to use a big Dutch oven the bread would spread out over the entire surface of the pot.
If the dough mixture is too dry, add a bit more water, the dough should be sticky, as seen in the video.
To add other ingredients to the bread such as dried fruit, seeds, herbs or cheeses, add them in step 1 when mixing everything together.
Always check the expiration date on your yeast and make sure it hasn't expired. All your yeast products whether it’s in a jar or a package should be stamped with a “Best if Used by” date. Always make sure you check this date, even when you purchase the yeast, who knows it could have been on the shelf past its expiry date.
To keep your yeast fresh and longer lasting, unopened yeast packages or jars should be stored in a cool or dry place such as your cupboard. However, you can also store your yeast in the fridge or freezer. If you do store it in the freezer and need to use yeast for your baking, make sure you take out the amount you need and let it sit at room temperature for at least half hour before using.
Once your yeast package or jar has been opened, you must refrigerate the yeast or freeze it in an airtight container.
One thing to remember about your yeast, is that it is a living organism and over time it will lose activity, even if you’ve never opened the jar or package. So if you don’t bake often, buy the smaller yeast packages rather than a big jar of yeast.
Why is my bread chewy: Usually your bread will be chewy when there isn't enough gluten formation or you're using a low-protein flour. Make sure you let your bread dough rest for at least 12 hours to give it enough time for gluten formation.
Why is my bread dense: Usually bread will be too dense when there is too much flour. Keep in mind this dough will be pretty sticky, do not add more flour than specified. Other factors that come into play are humidity and age of flour. Little yeast, long rise, sticky dough are keys to a good, light loaf.
I don't have a Dutch oven, what can I use instead: If you don't have a Dutch Oven, a covered metal pot would work as well, just make sure it can stand up to 450 F heat. A 4 quart Calphalon soup pot with lid would work as well. If your pot doesn't have a lid, you can cover the pot with heavy-duty aluminum foil, just make sure you seal the pot well.
How do I know when my bread is done baking: Tap the bottom! Take the bread out of the Dutch oven, turn it upside down and give the bottom a firm thump with your thumb, or a knock and if it sounds hollow it's done.
Nutrition: Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe source Simply So Good
What you’ll need:
This is my go-to bread recipe. It is perfect every time, with a great crumb. I am making it again today; this time, with a touch of garlic powder, which I added to the dry ingredients and roasted garlic, which I added in the final stage. I can’t wait to try it!
That sounds fantastic! So glad you love the recipe 🙂
Excellent and easy recipe. Makes a gorgeous, tasty loaf, thanks for the recipe!
My pleasure!
I have made this bread several times and it always comes out AMAZING!!! I made a loaf this morning to share at work…. it didn’t last long at all! I have another batch of dough rising now for my family to enjoy.
I’m so glad you like this bread, it couldn’t get any easier, right?
I find for my 4 quart Dutch oven make it fine if I double the ingredients. What can I say, I love bread!
I mad this a few months ago just as recipe was written. I was totally pleased. I then made it for Easter with fresh rosemary and I received many compliments.
Beacuse I have a ham bone left I’m thinking of making split pea soup. I was wondering how I can make bread bowls without a dutch oven info have a few Pyrex bowl with lids would they work?
I haven’t tried using pyrex bowls, but I know some readers have with success.
Hi Joanna.
Do you weigh the flour or just scoop each cup? KA claims their AP flour is 120g per cup.
I always have to add a lot more flour after the initial proof to shape a ball that I can pick up.
That also gets pretty messy. I’d like to be able to handle it as easily as it appears you do in the video. The bread recipe is great though!
Thanks!
Usually I just scoop a cup and level it out with a knife. 🙂
Pickup some disposable plastic gloves for handling food. Makes it a piece of cake working with sticky dough. Trick I learned watching Alton Brown.
Can u make buns using this recipe.
Never tried myself. The dough might be to soft and sticky though, might need a bit more flour.
Ridiculously easy and sooooooo good!
I need to make bread on/for a Sunday but leave to go away Saturday at 1 overnight. Can I make the dough 24 hours in advance? If so,, should I put it in the fridge? Thank you!
Yes you can, no need to put it in the fridge though. Just on the counter should be fine.
Thank you! A beautiful and blessed Easter to you and yours!
So easy and delicious!
I’ve been making your recipe for a while now and love it. Thought I would share what I add- few tablespoons of fresh chopped Rosemary, two cloves of fresh minced garlic, fresh black pepper, and maybe 1/4-1/2 cup of fresh parmesan. It’s AMAZING- I recommend pulling off chunks and doing in good olive oil, yum!
Oh never tried the garlic, bet it was delicious!
What would happen if I used Saf instant yeast? Can you use instant?
OMG this is so good. I am going to make this everyday!!!
Can you double the receipe?
Yes absolutely. If you’re baking it in a bigger Dutch oven, just watch the baking time, it may change a bit.
Has anyone done this double? Would love to know Timing
I am using a 5 1/2 Quart Dutch Oven, do I double the recipe for the larger pot? Or do the ingredients measurements change?
You could leave the ingredients as they are and you’ll just get a flatter bread, otherwise, I would double the ingredients.
Fabulous bread and sooo easy to make. My family and friends love it.
It is super easy! Glad you enjoyed it!