This rustic homemade bread has a crisp, golden crust and a soft, airy center. The best part? No kneading, no mixer, and only four basic ingredients.
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose or bread flour
- 1½ cups (360 ml) warm water
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon instant or active dry yeast
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast. Stir well.
2. Add the water
Pour in the warm water and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. Do not knead.
3. Let it rise
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Leave it at room temperature for 8–12 hours, preferably overnight. The dough should become puffy and develop bubbles.
4. Shape the dough
Lightly flour your work surface. Transfer the dough onto it and gently fold the edges toward the center a few times. Shape it into a rough ball. Don’t worry about making it perfect.
5. Rest again
Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper, cover it, and let it rest for about 30–45 minutes while you preheat the oven.
6. Heat the oven and pot
Place a Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe pot with its lid inside the oven. Preheat to 450°F (230°C) for about 30 minutes.
7. Bake covered
Carefully remove the hot pot. Lift the dough using the parchment paper and place it inside. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Bake uncovered
Remove the lid and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the loaf is deeply golden brown and crisp.
9. Cool before slicing
Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 30–60 minutes before cutting. This allows the inside to finish setting.
⭐ Helpful Tips
- The dough should be sticky and wet—that’s normal for no-knead bread.
- For a more rustic crust, dust the top lightly with flour before baking.
- Don’t slice the bread immediately after removing it from the oven, or the center can become gummy.
- If your kitchen is cold, the overnight rise may take closer to 12–14 hours.
- Store leftover bread in a paper bag or bread box for the best crust.
The result: a beautiful bakery-style loaf with a crunchy crust and wonderfully soft, airy crumb—all made with four simple ingredients. 🍞✨
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