Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread

Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread recipe is made with only 4 ingredients and takes 5 minutes of prep time! If you want to make delicious homemade bread that looks & tastes like it came from a fancy bakery but actually takes very little effort, this dutch oven bread recipe is for you!

I cannot think of a time when I would turn down a slice (or two) of warm homemade bread fresh from the oven (like this homemade french bread - yum). However, I know that some people are intimidated by the idea of making their own bread.

Well, you're in luck because this Easy No Knead Bread is the perfect recipe if you want to bake some homemade bread but aren't fully confident in your bread making skills! It's a no knead dutch oven bread that tastes like you slaved for hours - when you really only spent 5 minutes preparing it!

This dutch oven bread is incredibly moist and tastes like a less sour, sourdough bread! It is both dense and fluffy at the same time, and is the perfect companion to any meal (like this tortellini soup, vegetable soup, or this kale sweet potato soup)! I seriously make it all the time, because I love that it's prepped the day before and just popped in the oven right before company comes over!

How to make no knead bread

Like I said above, if you've been dying to make bread from scratch, THIS is your recipe! It looks like a beautiful loaf of artisan bread from a high-end bakery, but takes minimal time, effort and ingredients!

Seriously, this No Knead Dutch Oven Bread couldn't be any simpler. It's made with 4 ingredients and takes only 5 minutes of active prep time! There is no kneading, no waiting for the perfect rise (twice), and no exhaustive list of instructions to follow.

Step 1. Mix together dry ingredients

The first step in making this no knead bread is to mix together the dry ingredients, flour, sea salt and yeast. 

Step 2. Add Warm Water

Next, add warm water and stir. Be sure the water is around 105 degrees F, anything warmer could kill the yeast and prevent the dutch oven bread from rising. 

Step 3. Stir

Stir the dough until a sticky ball forms. As you can see in the photo on the right, the dough should hold a ball shape but it will be stick to the touch, and not very smooth.

Step 4. Cover & Let Set overnight

First cover the bowl with greased plastic wrap and wrap the bowl tightly. Then place a damp tea towel over the plastic wrap. Set it in a secure, warm place in your kitchen to rest for at least 18 hours, preferably 24.  

Form Dough Ball

After 24 hours, the no knead bread should look like the left photo below. The dough will rise in the bowl and have holes in it. Flour your hands and press the dough down. Then use a little extra flour to make the dough into a ball, and cover it to let it rest. 

Important note: The dough ball will be loose and "floppy." It will be a little difficult to transfer to the baking pan. That is how it should be as this is a very moist bread which is what makes it so irresistible. So you will not have a firm ball, it will look a little flat (as pictured below).

Preheat Dutch Oven & Bake

Right before you pull the dough out of the bowl, place the dutch oven into the oven and preheat it to 450 degrees F. Placing the artisan bread dough into the warm dutch oven results in a golden-brown crispy crust. When the oven is preheated, carefully remove the heated dutch oven from the oven, spray with cooking spray and put the dough inside. 

Use a dish with a lid (a Dutch Oven).

This Easy No Knead Bread needs to be baked for 30 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered, so a lidded baking dish is critical. I use this Le Creuset 2.75 qt. dutch oven to bake mine, but most round baking dishes with a lid will work. 

Cool & Serve.

Once the no knead bread is done baking, remove it from the dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. 

Serving suggestions: 

Everyone who tastes this easy no knead dutch oven bread recipe loves it! My favorite ways to eat it is with a warm bowl of soup, dipped into this baked goat cheese dip, or in a swirl of balsamic vinegar and olive oil!

Plus, the leftovers make great sandwiches like egg salad sandwiches or chicken salad sandwiches! Some of our favorite recipes to enjoy with this artisan bread:

• Homemade vegetable soup
• Easy Tortellini Soup
• Balsamic Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• Kale and Sausage Soup
• Roasted Root Vegetable Soup

FAQs about dutch oven bread

Here are some frequently asked questions about making this no knead bread recipe! 

No Knead Bread: Ingredients & Substituions

It only takes 4 ingredients to make this drool-worthy artisan bread. And I don't recommend making any substitutions. 

• All-purpose flour. You can replace up to 1 cup of the flour with white whole wheat flour, but I don't recommend making any other changes. This dutch oven bread is best when made with all-purpose flour. 
• Sea salt. I recommend pure, fine sea salt for the best outcome! 
• Yeast. Active dry yeast is the best choice for this no knead bread recipe, however you can use rapid rise yeast but you will still need to let it rise overnight. 
• Water. Make sure to use warm water (105 degrees). It should feel warm to the touch but not hot. 
• Optional mix-ins. If you'd like to create fun varieties, try mixing in parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, roasted garlic, etc. 

More Homemade bread recipes

If you are ready to take the plunge and make more bread recipes, check out some of our favorites: 

• No holiday is complete without a batch of these Homemade Dinner Rolls !
• This Homemade Pretzel Bread is my husband's favorite food ever, and everyone who tries it is obsessed!
• We make this whole wheat bread for BLTs and just for sandwiches throughout the week!
• Try these homemade hamburger buns - they'll change burger nights forever.
• For sweet breads, try these homemade cinnamon rolls (the best ever), and this Povitica! 

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