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    Home » Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread

    Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread

    Published: Feb 23, 2020 · Modified: Jul 14, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    overhead view of baked dutch oven bread in a blue dutch oven

    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!

    front view of a slice of no knead bread

    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. 

    overhead view of the dry ingredients in this no knead bread recipe

    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. 

    front view of water being added showing how to make no knead bread

    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.

    two overhead photos showing how to make no knead bread mixing dough

    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.  

    two overhead photos showing how to make no knead bread covering dough and rising

    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).

    two overhead photos showing how to make no knead bread punching down dough & forming a ball

    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. 

    overhead photo showing how to make dutch oven bread dough before baking in dutch oven

    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 way to eat it is with a warm bowl of soup or dipped into a swirl of balsamic vinegar and olive oil! Plus, the leftovers make killer 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
    overhead view of baked dutch oven bread in a blue dutch oven

    FAQs about dutch oven bread

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

    What is the best size Dutch oven for baking bread?

    I recommend using a 2 ¾ quart (2.4L) dutch oven to make this bread! 

    How long can you let no knead bread rise?

    Let it rise for up to 24 hours overnight at room temperature, or up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 

    Can I use a large dutch oven (5-6 qts)

    Yes, many readers (including myself) have had success baking this recipe in a larger dutch oven.

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, you can double the ingredients and bake it in a 5-6 quart dutch oven according to the recipe.

    front view of a loaf of no knead bread

    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. 
    front view fo a slice of no knead bread resting on a loaf

    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! 
    Overhead view of a loaf of dutch oven bread with two slices cut

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Easy No Knead Bread (Dutch Oven Bread)

    Laura
    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!
    4.98 from 247 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Overnight Rising 1 d
    Total Time 1 d 55 mins
    Course bread, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 loaf (10 people)
    Calories 121 kcal

    Equipment

    • Dutch Oven (2 ¾ Quart)

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tsp active dry yeast
    • 1 ½ tsp sea salt
    • 1 ½ cups warm water 105 degrees F

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine.
    • Add the water and mix until the dough forms a ball.
    • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (sprayed with cooking spray) and a damp tea towel.
    • Let dough sit covered at room temperature for 18-24 hours.
    • After 24 hours (or at least 1 hour before you want to serve) preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
    • Place a 2 ¾ quart dutch oven (or a 2.4L baking dish) with a lid in the oven while it is preheating. (Note: Readers have used a 5 qt. dutch oven with success).
    • While oven is preheating, transfer the dough from the bowl onto a floured surface.
    • Form the dough into a ball, adding a few TBS more flour if needed. The dough should still be slightly loose. Then cover it with a floured towel while the oven is preheating. (Important note: The dough ball will be loose and "floppy." That is how it should be as this is a very moist bread which is what makes it so irresistible. You will not have a firm ball, it will look a little flat).
    • Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven. Remove the lid and spray the dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
    • Gently put the dough ball into the baking dish so it’s evenly distributed.
    • Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
    • Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown.
    • Remove the loaf from the baking dish and let it cool on a rack before slicing. To keep it warm, cover with a tea towel.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes/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. 

    Dutch Oven Size

    You can bake a single batch of this bread in a 5-6 quart dutch oven. 
    Doubling this recipe
    You can double this recipe and bake it in a 6 quart dutch oven according to the recipe instructions. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3.8gSodium: 212mgPotassium: 49mgFiber: 1.2gCalcium: 2mgIron: 1.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Renee

      June 24, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      Well, I'm giving this a try. It's in is rest/rise stage now. About an hour in. It didn't make a ball... but I didn't want to over mix it either. I used the dough hook in my kitchenade mixer. Hopefully it turns out. Anyone have suggestions? Wish I could add a photo...

      Reply
      • Laura

        June 25, 2022 at 7:21 am

        You can e-mail me a photo and I can try to help you troubleshoot! joyfoodsunshine@gmail.com

        Reply
    2. Kelly K

      June 21, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and almost foolproof. I've made twice and proofed in a warm oven as I didn't have 24 hours. Still produceed amazing loaf.

      Reply
      • Hayley

        July 08, 2022 at 4:57 am

        Hey Kelly! How long did it take to proof in the warm oven? I’m short on time as well so wondering if I should give this a go…

        Reply
    3. Kristi

      June 07, 2022 at 5:38 am

      Should you active the yeast separately in warm water before adding to the flour, or is ok to mix it all together as directed? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Laura

        June 07, 2022 at 7:05 am

        Mix the flour and yeast together in this recipe!

        Reply
    4. Feedinghungrychildren

      May 25, 2022 at 8:19 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this countless times! It's the best! I have added honey to the dough and granola to the top before baking. I have added olive oil and EVERYTHING BAGEL. I have added cinnamon and sugar.
      I have added butter, rosemary garlic and herb mix. This is my GO TO bread. I make a double batch every other day. My husband and 4 boys eat it up!

      I wanna try it with almond flour as well, just to see what kind of results I can get.

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 26, 2022 at 6:46 am

        I LOVE all your variations - I will need to try them!

        Reply
      • Linda

        July 28, 2022 at 9:33 am

        Hi - Do you mix in the additions with your dry ingredients or put them on top of the dough before baking? Thanks! ;o)

        Reply
    5. S

      April 27, 2022 at 3:34 pm

      Can I use a glass Pyrex dish with a lid to bake the bread?

      Reply
      • Tim

        April 30, 2022 at 11:43 am

        You will get very different results in a glass dish. The Dutch oven provides two things. First is thermal mass, which is to say the cast iron will retain heatand provide an even cooking temperature through the whole cook time. Glass is not able to retain the heat nearly as well. The second thing the Dutch oven does is make it easy to trap steam in the first part of baking because of the lid. This is important to get the most rise during baking and to provide a crustier crust. This can be done with any oven safe container with a good lid but the thermal mass will be an issue with glass.

        All that being said, the bread will still bake and will probably still taste good,but won't have the same texture.

        Reply
    6. Christel

      April 14, 2022 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      I have been making this recipe for no-knead bread for a while now and I have one more ingredient that I think adds to the overall taste of the bread. I have added one tbs of sugar just to give the yeast a little more food to work with. The bread has a crunchy crust and a very tasty inside. It is a very simple recipe that every one enjoys. The compliments make me smile. Everyone should give this recipe a try!

      Reply
      • Laura

        April 15, 2022 at 7:06 am

        Love that addition Christel!

        Reply
        • Robin

          May 22, 2022 at 12:47 pm

          Can you use bread flour in this recipe?

        • Laura

          May 22, 2022 at 12:53 pm

          Yes!

    7. Harry

      April 08, 2022 at 1:52 pm

      Can I add a bit of butter to the recipe, say one tablespoon ? I bake regular bread and always add some butter to the mix.

      Reply
    8. ddimeo

      April 06, 2022 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      I made this several times for my family and they love it. I gave two loafs away to neighbors at Christmas, which both told me "they never something this nice looking even in bakeries ❗
      And it tastes as good as it looks... I've made raisin and date bread with it also❗👍

      Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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