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Easy No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe with Crispy Golden Crust Perfect for Beginners

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This easy no-knead artisan bread recipe delivers a crispy golden crust and a tender, airy crumb with minimal hands-on time, perfect for beginners and busy cooks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (75°F to 80°F / 24°C to 27°C)
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon herbs like rosemary or thyme (fresh or dried)
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: Up to half the all-purpose flour replaced with whole wheat flour

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir well with a wooden spoon to distribute evenly (about 2 minutes).
  2. Gradually pour in 1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water while stirring. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Resist adding more flour (2-3 minutes).
  3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Leave it at room temperature (68°F to 72°F / 20°C to 22°C) for 12 to 18 hours until bubbly and doubled in size.
  4. About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with a Dutch oven (with lid) inside.
  5. Lightly flour a clean surface and your hands. Gently scrape the dough onto the surface and fold it over on itself a couple of times to form a round shape. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
  6. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Place the dough seam side down into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the lid and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and crisp. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped.
  8. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

Do not skimp on the rise time to develop flavor and texture. Use warm water (not hot) to activate yeast gently. Preheat the Dutch oven well to trap steam and create a crispy crust. Be gentle with the dough to preserve air bubbles. If crust darkens too fast, tent with foil. Let bread cool completely before slicing for best crumb texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-knead bread, artisan bread, easy bread recipe, crispy crust bread, beginner bread recipe, homemade bread

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