Imagine pulling a golden, crusty loaf of bread from your oven that looks like it came straight from an artisan bakery - without spending hours kneading or requiring professional baking skills. This No Knead Bread recipe is your ticket to bread-making magic, transforming just four simple ingredients into a stunning homemade loaf that will have your family and friends wondering if you secretly trained as a professional baker. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, you'll create a bread so delicious it'll become your new weekend obsession!
Prep Time: 12 hrs
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 12 hrs 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Use a whisk or a fork to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, ensuring that the yeast and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of room temperature water to the dry mixture. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir until all the flour is moistened and a shaggy dough forms. There should be no dry flour remaining at the bottom of the bowl.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel to prevent drafts. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about 12 hours, or until it has doubled in size and is bubbly on the surface. This long fermentation time develops flavor and texture.
- After the dough has risen, lightly flour a clean surface and gently scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the floured surface. With floured hands, fold the dough over itself a couple of times to shape it into a rough ball. Be careful not to deflate it too much.
- Transfer the shaped dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rest for about 1 to 2 hours, or until it has puffed up slightly.
- While the dough is resting, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a large, oven-safe pot (such as a stockpot or a cast iron skillet) in the oven to heat up for about 30 minutes. This will help create steam for a crusty loaf.
- Once the oven and pot are preheated, carefully remove the pot from the oven using oven mitts. Lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it into the hot pot. Cover the pot with its lid.
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30 minutes with the lid on. This traps steam and helps the bread rise and develop a crust.
- After 30 minutes, carefully remove the lid from the pot. Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and has a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
- Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the pot using the parchment paper. Let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This allows the crumb to set and enhances the flavor.
- Enjoy your freshly baked no-knead bread as is, or with your favorite spreads, soups, or stews!
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients - especially your yeast and flour
- Ensure your water is room temperature for optimal yeast activation
- Be patient during the long fermentation - this develops incredible flavor
- Use a heavy, oven-safe pot to create the perfect steamy baking environment
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to maintain its perfect texture
- Store leftover bread in a paper bag to keep the crust crispy
- For extra flavor, try adding herbs or seeds to your dough before the first rise
- If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in a slightly warm area to help it rise
- Don't worry about a perfect shape - rustic is beautiful in bread-making!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 110kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
