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Easy Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 121 reviews
  • Author: Marina
  • Total Time: 19 to 24 hours (including rise time)
  • Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 8-inch round loaf) 1x

Description

This easy Dutch oven no-knead bread recipe delivers a crunchy, golden crust with a soft, airy interior. Without any kneading required, the dough slowly rises to develop a complex flavor and perfect texture. Baked in a preheated Dutch oven, this rustic homemade bread is ideal for beginners and bread lovers alike.

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

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and sea salt until well combined.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 the top to maintain optimal humidity.
  4. 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. During this time, the dough will become bubbly and develop a complex flavor.
  5. Preheat Your Setup: Position your oven rack in the middle and place your Dutch oven inside. Preheat the oven to 450°F and allow the Dutch oven to heat for at least 30 minutes to ensure even baking.
  6. 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 to retain the airy texture.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer the shaped dough into your preheated Dutch oven. Cover it with the lid and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the crust is deeply golden brown and crisp.
  8. Cool and Enjoy: Remove the finished loaf from the Dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, allowing the crumb to set perfectly.

Notes

  • Use warm water at about 105°F to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
  • The long rise time is crucial for developing flavor and the bread’s texture; do not shorten it.
  • Be gentle when shaping the dough to maintain the airy structure from fermentation.
  • Preheating the Dutch oven ensures the bread bakes evenly and gets a perfect crust.
  • Allow the bread to cool fully on a wire rack before slicing to prevent gummy texture inside.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: no knead bread, Dutch oven bread, easy homemade bread, no yeast bread recipe, rustic bread, artisan bread

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Find it online: https://marinamontclair.com/easy-dutch-oven-no-knead-bread-recipe/