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Foolproof Dutch Oven No Knead Crusty Bread

A close-up of a freshly baked dutch oven no knead crusty bread, showing the open, airy crumb structure.
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Make artisan-quality, crusty bread at home without any kneading. This simple, slow-rise recipe uses a Dutch oven to trap steam, resulting in a perfect crust and soft interior.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Instant Yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups Cool Water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and yeast together.
  2. Add the cool water and mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Do not knead.
  3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. The dough will become bubbly and increase in volume.
  4. Lightly flour a work surface. Gently scrape the dough out of the bowl. Fold the dough over itself a few times to form a rough ball.
  5. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper, cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  6. About 30 minutes before baking, place your 5-to-6-quart Dutch oven, with the lid on, into your oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius).
  7. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the dough using the parchment paper handles and gently place it into the hot pot.
  8. Cover the Dutch oven with the lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown. This step creates the best crusty bread in dutch oven texture.
  10. Carefully remove the bread from the pot and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For a deeper crust color, you can leave the lid off for the final 20 minutes of baking.
  • If you want an overnight recipe, mix the dough in the evening and let it proof on the counter until morning, then proceed with the shaping and baking steps.
  • Use instant yeast for this slow rise bread recipe; active dry yeast requires proofing first.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/dutch-oven-no-knead-crusty-bread/