Easy No-Knead Bread Recipe - Delicious Homemade Bread

Imagine baking bakery-quality bread at home easily. With just a little time and effort, you can make a delicious loaf. This bread has a crunchy crust and a soft inside. It’s perfect for anyone looking for an easy way to enjoy great bread.¹ Thousands of bakers have rated this recipe very highly. It lets you make bread that tastes and feels professional without hard work.

This no-knead method is simple and works well for new bakers or busy people.¹ You only need 4 ingredients to start. Then, let the dough rise for a few hours. This step brings out the bread’s best flavors and textures. It makes your homemade bread taste like it’s from a fancy bakery, without waiting too long.

Not only is this bread delicious, but it’s also easy to work with.¹ You can keep the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. This means you can bake any time you want. Baking the bread is as simple as using a Dutch oven. It makes your loaf look and taste amazing every time.¹ Shape the dough any way you like, and you’ll get a beautiful loaf with a crispy outside.

Key Takeaways

Delicious, artisan-style bread with a crusty exterior and soft, airy interior
Minimal hands-on time and effort required, making it ideal for beginner bakers
Versatile recipe that can be customized with whole wheat or gluten-free variations
Long, unattended rise time develops exceptional flavor and texture
Bakes in a preheated Dutch oven for a professional-looking, rustic loaf

Introduction to No-Knead Bread

No-knead bread is different from regular bread recipes.² You mix the ingredients and let the dough sit. This sits for 12-24 hours, which is the key step. It helps the bread’s gluten and flavor to develop without needing to knead. The end result is a beautiful, artisan-style bread. It has a crusty outside and a soft, airy inside.

What is No-Knead Bread?

The “5 Minute” Bread was an early hit in bread making.² The ingredients are simple: 3 cups of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of yeast, and 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt.² After mixing, the dough sits for 12 hours at room temperature. Then, it rises for 1-2 hours until big before baking.² It bakes at high heat for 45-60 minutes to get a golden crust.²

Benefits of Making No-Knead Bread at Home

Making no-knead bread is great for several reasons. It is simple and needs very little hands-on time, which is perfect for new bakers.³ The long resting time makes the bread taste amazing.⁴ And you save money by baking at home instead of buying fancy breads from the store.

No-Knead Bread Recipe

The no-knead bread recipe asks for only four easy-to-find things: all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, and water.⁵ Mix them up to make the dough, then let it sit for 12-24 hours to rise.⁵ Once it’s risen, shape the dough and put it in a Dutch oven or another oven-safe pot with a lid.⁵

This setup in the pot with a lid helps the bread grow and makes a nice, crunchy crust.

Ingredient	Traditional No-Knead Bread	Faster No-Knead Bread
Dough Rest Time	12-18 hours⁵	1.5 hours⁵
Yeast	1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast⁵	2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast⁵
Sugar/Honey	None	1 teaspoon⁵
Water Temperature	105-110°F⁵	Room temperature
Shaping	Fold dough on top of itself⁵	Gently shape into a round loaf
Baking Temperature	450°F⁵	450°F⁵

The traditional no-knead bread’s secret is resting the dough for 12-18 hours. This makes it tastier and more unique.⁵ You can make your bread special by adding things like garlic, herbs. You can even use everything bagel seasoning, black pepper, or cheese.⁵ How much salt you use is up to you, but people often pick fine sea salt.⁵ The recipe hints that you can change the flour type, but all-purpose flour works best.⁵ The guide also answers common questions about yeast, flour, and baking safely at high temperatures.⁵

Ingredients for No-Knead Bread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUiS0eIU9D0

The heart of this simple no-knead bread is all-purpose flour. It always gives great results. You can swap some flour for white whole wheat for a nuttier taste.⁶ Using bread flour can make your bread lighter too, thanks to its more protein.⁶

Flour Options

This recipe lets you play with the flour. Start with all-purpose but switch in some whole wheat for a richer flavor. Bread flour, with its added protein, can make your loaf more airy.⁵

Yeast Types

You can use either active dry or instant yeast for this bread. If it’s active dry, it needs to soak in warm water first. But instant yeast can go straight into the dry mix.⁵ The usual recipe uses a little active dry yeast. The quicker one needs a full packet. That version also calls for a bit of sugar to help the yeast faster.⁵

Salt Recommendations

For top taste and texture, go for coarse sea or kosher salt. Yet, if you choose table salt, you might have to change the amount. Try different salts, like flaky sea salt, for a special taste.⁵

Step-by-Step Instructions

To start, mix flour, yeast, and salt in a big bowl for the no-knead bread dough. Add warm water and stir, making a sticky dough. This dough doesn’t need kneading. Time is enough to make it just right.⁵

Letting the Dough Rise

Cover the bowl and let the dough sit for 12-24 hours at room temp. The yeast works its magic, making the dough rise and adding flavor. After this, the dough is airy and ready for the next step.⁵

Shaping the Dough

After the rise, shape the dough gently into a round loaf on some flour. It will be sticky, which is what we want for no-knead method. No hard kneading needed.⁵

Baking in a Dutch Oven

Next, place the shaped dough in a hot Dutch oven. The lid helps it get steamy, perfect for a good rise and crispy crust. It then bakes covered for 30 minutes, then 10-15 uncovered for a nice color.⁵

Tips for Perfect No-Knead Bread

no knead bread

The no-knead dough should be very wet and sticky, unlike firm traditional dough.⁵ If it seems too dry, add more water. If it’s too sticky, use a little more flour.

Let the dough rise in a warm place, like 77-86°F, for good yeast action.⁵ If it’s not rising after an hour, find a warmer spot.

Use a preheated Dutch oven or a similar heavy, lidded pot for baking.⁵ This creates a hot, steamy place. It helps the bread bake perfectly with a great crust.

Variations on the No-Knead Bread Recipe

The classic no-knead bread recipe is simple yet amazing. There are many ways to tweak it. You can add whole grains, go gluten-free, or mix in some savory flavors. This makes the no-knead method perfect for trying new bread ideas.

Whole Wheat No-Knead Bread

If you want a nutty, whole wheat no-knead bread, swap out some all-purpose flour. Add up to 1 cup of white whole wheat flour instead.⁷ This will make your bread heartier with a denser crumb. But, it will keep that crunchy crust and chew inside.

Gluten-Free No-Knead Bread

Are you gluten-free? You can still enjoy a special loaf. Just use a top-notch gluten-free flour blend.⁷ Although it might not rise as much, your bread will have a crispy outside and a soft, airy middle.

Flavored No-Knead Bread

The no-knead bread base is like a blank page for flavor. You can mix in cheese, herbs, roasted garlic, or more before it rises.⁸ These additions add exciting tastes to your homemade bread.

Whether it’s whole wheat, gluten-free, or with added flavors, no-knead bread is all about creativity. With a few tweaks, you can bake a variety of breads at home. It’s a fun way to make your bread unique.

Storing and Serving No-Knead Bread

no knead bread

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover no-knead bread in an airtight container or use a bread bag. It’s good at room temperature for 3 days.³ If you want to store it longer, freeze it for up to 2 months. To warm up frozen bread, put it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.⁵

Serving Suggestions

No-knead bread is great with soups, stews, and dips. Its crunchy crust and soft inside are perfect for dunking. You can also enjoy it as toast, in sandwiches, or just with butter or olive oil.³ This homemade bread goes well with many meals.

The Beauty of No-Knead Bread

Artisan Quality with Minimal Effort

The no-knead bread method lets you make bakery-quality bread at home. And you do this with very little time and effort.⁵ The bread rises slowly on its own, creating a loaf that’s just as good as what you’d buy.

Versatility in Baking and Serving

No-knead bread is really flexible. You can make it to fit what you like to eat or need.⁹ Whether it’s whole wheat or without gluten, you follow the same simple steps. You can also get creative, making your own special bread. Plus, it tastes great and has a nice texture, so it’s good with many dishes or just on its own.

Conclusion

This no-knead bread recipe changes the game for bakers at home. It lets you create tasty, bakery-quality bread with little effort.¹⁰ A 5-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven is perfect for this, making loaves about 7-1/2 by 4 inches tall.¹⁰ Baking in a Dutch oven makes a slightly smaller loaf. Thanks to the long rise time, the bread gets a rich flavor and soft, chewy texture, just like the kind you find at bakeries.

Using steam while baking gives more shine, better color, and a thin, crispy crust. It also makes the inside chewier and better.¹⁰ The dough should rise for 18 hours at 70˚F, then 2 more hours at 80˚F after shaping.¹⁰ This bread’s simple to make, versatile, and its results are beyond delicious. It’s perfect for those wanting to improve their baking skills at home.

The recipe calls for Harvest King flour or a mix of unbleached all-purpose and bread flour, about 3 cups. You’ll also need 354 grams (1-1/2 cups) of warm water, 0.8 grams (1/4 teaspoon) of instant yeast, and 10 grams (1-2/3 teaspoons) of salt.¹⁰ Adding 7-1/2% whole wheat flour makes the bread slightly denser but more flavorful.¹⁰ If you use whole wheat flour, you’ll need another 1/2 tablespoon of water, making the total 360 grams.¹⁰