No-Knead Bread: Fresh baked bread is a far superior experience compared to commercially produced bread with all those additives and preservatives.  This recipe requires only four ingredients (flour, yeast, salt and water – how pure is that?), a little handling of the dough and with minimal effort, the result is fresh bread – you baked yourself!

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No-Knead Bread

Bread can be simple and easy to make and it’s amazing that most people do not realize this – I certainly did not.  Baking bread always intimidated me – perhaps it is the idea of working with yeast that seemed unpredictable and the rising time involved.  It seems like more work than it really is.  Yes, there is rising time, a minimum of 3 hours, plus 30 mins or so for the second rise but one can do other things during that time and just plan around it.  This bread recipe is very forgiving because I have left out it for several hours more than the minimum for the first rise and it still came out great.  I found with every loaf, I became more practiced and confident in my bread baking abilities.

This bread is delicious and satisfying

I decided several months ago, to bake our own bread instead of buying it from the grocery store.  I have many reasons for baking our bread:  1. To reduce and cut out the amount of processed food we eat by making our food from scratch, 2. to save some money on the grocery bill and 3. to learn, enjoy and feel comfortable baking bread.  I bake this bread a couple of days a week and bake 1-2 loaves and I also enjoy baking other types now but this particular recipe is so simple and easy that is has become our staple bread for many meals.  This super simple no-knead bread recipe was my “gateway bread” recipe to baking bread and I hope it will become your staple bread too or at least a fun activity to try!

No-Knead Bread is the “The Gateway Bread” to Baking Bread!

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links which means I earn a commission when you utilize them.  I only recommend brands and products that I like and enjoy using.  Some links are just for educational purposes and sharing pages that I have found helpful.

Please note that you will need a Dutch Oven for this recipe or an oven safe pot (up to 450° F) with a lid, make sure the handle on the lid is oven safe!  I have had great results with my Calphalon Unison Dutch Oven but there are many others out there as well, click here for some other examples of Dutch ovens.

Fresh baked bread is truly special.

Each loaf has it’s own unique character. 

No-Knead Bread

Yield: 1 round loaf

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

No-Knead Bread: Fresh baked bread is a far superior experience compared to commercially produced bread with all those additives and preservatives.  This recipe requires only four ingredients (flour, yeast, salt and water - how pure is that?), a little handling of the dough and with minimal effort, the result is fresh bread - you baked yourself!

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Ingredients

• 3 cups of flour, , with extra for board, I use Hodgson Mill, Non-GMO Project Verified Flour
• About 1/4 teaspoon dry active yeast, (check the date, make sure it's fresh), I use Hodgson Mill Fast-Rise Yeast
• About 1 teaspoon of kosher salt or preferred type of salt, (for taste), I use Morton Kosher Salt
• 1-1/2 cups of hot water, , 130° F, I use water hot out of the tap, make sure you do not boiling or it will kill the yeast.

Instructions

1. Mix 3 cups of flour with the yeast and salt. Pour in the water and mix until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm area for 3 hours. (FYI-The ideal temperature for yeast growth is 37° C degrees Celsius or 98.6°F but the dough will rise at room temp.). Prepare a square piece of parchment paper and have a large clean bowl ready.
2. When the mixture has little bubbles on top and a flat surface, turn it out onto a well-floured surface (this is a very wet and sticky dough), and using a dough scraper (it's less messy if you use one, this is a very useful tool to have), fold the dough over at least 10-12 times. Place the dough on the prepared parchment paper and put it in the clean bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let rest for 30-35 minutes for the second rise. Place a Dutch Oven in the oven with the lid on. Preheat oven to 450°F.***450°F is very hot, please make sure you have proper oven mitts for both hands for handling the Dutch oven.**
3. Take the hot Dutch oven out. Take lid off and pick up the bread dough in the parchment paper and place it into the Dutch oven. Cover with lid. Put the Dutch oven in the center rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take the Dutch oven out of the oven, remove parchment paper and place bread back into the pot without the lid for 10 minutes or longer, if you want a harder crust. When it's done, you should hear a hollow sound when you tap the bottom. Let cool on a wire rack. Once cooled it can be stored up to about 3 days in an airtight container.

• You can try a different type of flour, I have used wheat on many occasions with success.  I find that wheat flour seems more dry and add a few tablespoons of water extra.
• Room temperature butter or extra virgin olive oil with salt, pepper and with other desired spices are nice accompaniments for this bread.
• If you have the taste for something sweet try some Nutella and fruit or use it for making French toast.
• This bread works well when making a strata.

Recipe Inspiration and Credit:

Jenny Jones inspired me attempt making bread on a regular basis with her faster no-knead recipe.  She also has a great video and shows you how to make the bread.  I encourage you to watch her wonderful video.

• Check out our Recipe index and DIY index

If you make “No-Knead Bread” and post a picture on social media, be sure to #lifeslittlesweets #nokneadbread and link back to the post, thank you in advance!

If you like this recipe, see also:

No-Knead Oatmeal Bread

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom.She lives in NJ with her husband, two kids under 5 and dog. She loves design, being creative and spending time with family and friends.She enjoys and shares baking, vegan, traditional & family recipes as well as DIY, lifestyle, organization and design ideas.

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