Description

This Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread recipe offers a simple, hands-off way to bake a delicious artisan-style loaf at home. With minimal ingredients and effort, the dough rests for up to 24 hours to develop a rich flavor and bubbly texture. Baking it covered in a preheated Dutch oven creates a perfectly crusty exterior and soft, tender crumb inside. Perfect for beginner bakers seeking fresh homemade bread without kneading.

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

Use warm water at about 105°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
The long rise time is essential to develop flavor and texture; do not rush this step.
If your kitchen is cool, allow the dough to rise in a slightly warmer spot to aid fermentation.
Handle the dough gently when shaping to preserve the air bubbles.
Let the bread cool completely before slicing to ensure the crumb sets properly.
If you do not have a Dutch oven, a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid will work.
Storage: Keep leftover bread in a paper bag or bread box to retain crustiness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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