Description
Rustic homemade no-knead artisan bread delivers golden-crusted perfection with minimal effort. Crusty exterior and tender crumb invite bakers to savor simple Mediterranean-inspired comfort right from their kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 480 grams (3.54 cups) bread flour
- 360 grams (1.5 cups) water
Secondary Ingredients:
- 9 grams (1.5 teaspoons) salt
Leavening Agent:
- 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) instant yeast
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients like bread flour, salt, and yeast in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a uniform powder blend.
- Pour room-temperature water into the dry mixture, stirring until a rough, uneven dough emerges with visible flour pockets.
- Drape a slightly dampened cloth over the bowl, allowing the dough to rest and ferment at ambient temperature for 12-18 hours, watching it expand and develop complex flavors.
- Generously dust a clean countertop with flour, gently transferring the risen dough onto the surface without deflating its delicate structure.
- Use soft, careful motions to fold the dough edges toward its center, gradually creating a rounded, smooth loaf with tension.
- Position the shaped dough onto parchment paper, lightly covering it to prevent moisture loss during a final 2-hour proofing period.
- Position a heavy Dutch oven inside the oven, preheating to a scorching 450°F to create an ideal baking environment.
- Carefully slide the parchment-wrapped dough into the heated Dutch oven, covering immediately to trap steam and promote crust development.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove the lid to allow the exterior to transform into a golden, crispy shell during the final 15-20 minutes.
- Transfer the freshly baked bread to a cooling rack, allowing it to rest and settle for optimal texture before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Flour matters most, so use high-protein bread flour for the best texture and rise.
- Let the dough ferment slowly at room temperature to develop complex, tangy sourdough-like flavors.
- Minimal handling keeps the bread tender, so fold gently and avoid overworking the dough.
- Preheating the Dutch oven creates a steamy environment, giving the bread a crispy, golden crust and perfect chew.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0.75g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg