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Easy No-Knead Crusty Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 75 reviews
  • Author: Naomi
  • Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (serves about 8 slices) 1x

Description

This Easy No-Knead Crusty Bread recipe yields a beautifully golden, crispy loaf with minimal effort. Using simple ingredients and a slow rise, this bread develops wonderful flavor and texture without any kneading. The dough is baked in a preheated dutch oven to achieve a perfect crust and tender crumb, making it a fantastic homemade bread option for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 4 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water (110 – 120°F)

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the yeast and seasoning.
  2. Add Water and Stir: Pour in the warm water and use a sturdy spoon to mix everything until fully combined. The dough should be wet and shaggy but not too runny.
  3. First Rise: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 2 to 3 hours, or until it has doubled in size, developing flavor and texture during this time.
  4. Optional Cold Fermentation: Once doubled, you may refrigerate the covered dough for up to 12 hours for enhanced flavor development if desired, or proceed directly to baking.
  5. Preheat Dutch Oven: Place your dutch oven with its lid inside the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F to ensure a very hot baking environment, which is essential for a crispy crust.
  6. Shape the Dough: Lightly flour a clean work surface and scrape the dough onto it. Roughly shape it into a ball; perfection is not necessary as it will form a beautiful crust during baking. Place the dough seam-side down on a sheet of parchment paper.
  7. Bake Covered: Carefully remove the hot dutch oven from the oven and transfer the parchment paper with the dough inside. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes to trap steam, which helps develop a crusty exterior.
  8. Bake Uncovered: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy on top.
  9. Cool and Serve: Use the parchment paper to lift the bread out of the dutch oven and let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing to allow the crumb to set properly.

Notes

  • You can substitute all-purpose flour if bread flour is unavailable, but bread flour will give a better texture.
  • If using active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, dissolve it first in the warm water and let it activate before mixing.
  • Do not skip preheating the dutch oven as it is key to developing a crispy crust.
  • Refrigerating the dough after the first rise is optional but helps develop deeper flavor.
  • The dough is sticky; wetting your hands slightly can help when handling it.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: no-knead bread, crusty bread, easy homemade bread, dutch oven bread, artisan bread

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Find it online: https://naomifletcher.com/easy-no-knead-crusty-bread-recipe/