Description
This Easy Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread recipe delivers a crusty, artisan-style loaf with minimal effort. Utilizing a long, slow rise to develop flavor and a hot Dutch oven to create a perfect crust, this bread requires no kneading and is ideal for beginners or busy bakers seeking homemade comfort bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1½ cups warm water (105°F)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour, active dry yeast, and sea salt until well combined.
- Mix the Dough: Pour in the warm water and stir until all ingredients come together to form a shaggy, somewhat sticky dough ball. The mixture should look slightly rough and uneven.
- First Rise Setup: Transfer your dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap, then place a dampened kitchen towel over top to maintain optimal humidity.
- Long, Slow Rise: Place the covered bowl in a draft-free location at room temperature and allow the dough to rise for 18 to 24 hours. The dough will become bubbly and develop a complex flavor during this time.
- Preheat Your Setup: Position your oven rack in the middle and place your Dutch oven inside. Preheat to 450°F and allow the Dutch oven to heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape the Loaf: Turn the dough onto a generously floured surface. With floured hands, gently gather and shape the dough into a round loaf, being careful not to deflate it too much.
- Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer the shaped dough into your preheated Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until deeply golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the finished loaf from the Dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- The long, slow rise is essential for developing the bread’s complex flavor and airy texture.
- Ensure your Dutch oven is thoroughly preheated to create a crispy crust.
- Use warm water at about 105°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Be gentle when shaping the dough to preserve the air bubbles formed during fermentation.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to retain structure and prevent gummy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Dutch oven bread, no-knead bread, artisan bread, easy homemade bread, slow rise bread
