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4.9 from 48 votes

Dutch Oven Bread {No Knead!}

With just 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on prep, you can bake an artisan loaf of crusty no knead dutch oven bread that's better than the local bakery's!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices)
Calories: 187 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water (about 105˚-110˚F)
  • 1 (0.25 oz) envelope active dry yeast (about 2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (reduce to 1½ - 2 teaspoons if you prefer a less-salty loaf)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, stir together the warm water, yeast and sugar. Set aside for 5-10 minutes while the yeast softens and becomes foamy. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the water and yeast mixture into the well and use a wooden spoon to combine until a shaggy, rough dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour in small increments, about 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  3. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and leave in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 ½ - 2 hours.
  4. Dust a piece of parchment paper with flour. Nudge the dough from the bowl and dump it onto the floured parchment paper. Form the dough into a loose ball by gently folding in the edges. I pat my hands with flour since the dough is very sticky. Don't stress -- this doesn't have to be perfect. We're making a rustic loaf of bread!
  5. Lift the parchment paper and dough into another smaller bowl. Cover the bowl and let rise for about 30-60 minutes.
  6. While the dough is rising for the second time, place a 4-6 quart cast iron Dutch oven with its lid into the oven. Preheat the oven to 470°F. When the oven reaches temperature and the dough has risen for the second time, carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Transfer the dough from the bowl to the Dutch oven using the edges of the parchment paper to lift the dough. Cover with the lid. Bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid on the Dutch oven. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crust is nicely browned (keep a close eye on it).
  7. Remove the bread from the Dutch oven carefully (it’s still very hot) and place on a cooling rack. Allow to cool for at least one hour before slicing.

Notes

  • Bread flour yields a slightly higher rise, but all-purpose flour will also work fine. Use whichever you have on hand!
  • If the inside of your bread is dense and gummy, this is likely the result of two main culprits. First, the dough may not have proofed long enough to give the gluten a chance to fully develop. Alternatively, the bread may not be cooked through all of the way. When the bread comes out of the oven, it's still "cooking" and steaming. That's why it's important to wait and let the bread sit for at least an hour before slicing into it.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice (1/10 of a loaf) Calories 187kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 699mg (29%) Potassium 57mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1IU (0%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 8mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1loaf (about 10-12 slices)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 187

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice (1/10 of a loaf)
Calories 187kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 699mg 29%
Potassium 57mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1IU 0%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.