World’s Easiest No-Knead Artisan Bread with Crispy Crust & Chewy Crumb Recipe

Introduction

This no-knead artisan bread recipe is perfect for home bakers seeking a crispy crust and chewy crumb with minimal effort. It combines simple ingredients and an easy process to deliver a rustic loaf that tastes like it came from a bakery. Ideal for sandwiches or dipping, this bread is a must-try for beginners.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose or bread flour
• 2 tsp instant or rapid rise yeast
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups very warm tap water
• Extra flour for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Stir briefly to evenly distribute the yeast and salt throughout the flour.
2. Step 2: Pour the very warm tap water into the bowl. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula, mix until all flour is hydrated. The dough will be sticky, loose, and shaggy.
3. Step 3: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot for 2 to 3 hours, until the dough doubles in size and looks bubbly.
4. Step 4: (Optional) For extra flavor, refrigerate the covered dough for 8 hours up to 3 days before baking.
5. Step 5: Thirty minutes before baking, place an empty Dutch oven with its lid in the oven and preheat to 230°C / 450°F.
6. Step 6: Lightly flour your work surface. Scrape the dough onto it and sprinkle with a little flour. Fold the edges inward 5–6 times to form a rough ball without kneading.
7. Step 7: Flip the dough seam-side down onto a sheet of parchment paper for easy transfer.
8. Step 8: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven. Lift the dough with the parchment paper and place it in the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove the lid and bake for another 10–12 minutes until the crust is deep golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Step 10: Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set.

Tips & Variations

• Use bread flour for a chewier texture or all-purpose flour for a lighter crumb.
• Cold fermenting the dough enhances flavor and develops a subtle sourdough tang.
• If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid or create steam in the oven by placing a tray of water on the bottom rack.
• Sprinkle seeds or herbs on top before baking to add flavor and texture.

Storage

Store leftover bread in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain crust crispness. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To refresh the crust after refrigeration or freezing, warm the bread in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for 10 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, but you’ll need to dissolve active dry yeast in warm water first and allow it to activate for about 5-10 minutes before mixing with dry ingredients.

Why doesn’t the dough need kneading?

The high hydration and long fermentation time allow gluten to develop naturally, resulting in a chewy bread without any kneading required.

World’s Easiest No-Knead Artisan Bread with Crispy Crust & Chewy Crumb Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 63 reviews

This no-knead artisan bread recipe yields a crispy crust and chewy crumb with minimal effort. Using a long fermentation process and baking in a preheated Dutch oven, it produces a rustic, flavorful loaf perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 42 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 52 minutes (without cold fermentation) to up to 3 days (with cold fermentation)
• Yield: 1 loaf, about 10 slices 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Artisan / European
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose or Bread flour
• 2 tsp Instant or Rapid Rise yeast
• 2 tsp Kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Very warm tap water

Additional

• Extra flour for dusting

Instructions

1. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Stir briefly to evenly distribute the yeast and salt throughout the flour.
2. Add Water and Form the Dough: Pour the very warm tap water into the bowl. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula, mix until all the flour is fully hydrated. The dough will be sticky, loose, and shaggy—this wet consistency is essential for creating large air pockets.
3. First Rise (Room Temperature Fermentation): Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Place it in a warm area for 2 to 3 hours, until the dough has doubled in size. The surface should look bubbly and the dough should jiggle when the bowl is gently shaken.
4. Optional Cold Fermentation (Flavor Boost): For deeper flavor and a more complex, sourdough-style taste, transfer the covered bowl to the refrigerator for anywhere from 8 hours up to 3 days. The longer it rests, the more developed the flavor will be.
5. Preheat the Dutch Oven: Thirty minutes before baking, place the empty Dutch oven with its lid into the oven. Preheat the oven to 230°C / 450°F. This step is crucial to create intense heat and steam for proper oven spring.
6. Shape the Dough (Minimal Handling): Lightly flour your work surface. Scrape the dough out of the bowl using a dough scraper. Sprinkle the top with a little flour, then fold the edges inward about 5–6 times to form a rough ball. Do not knead.
7. Transfer to Parchment Paper: Flip the dough seam-side down onto a sheet of parchment paper. This makes transferring the dough into the hot pot safe and easy.
8. Bake Covered (Steam Phase): Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the dough using the parchment paper and place it directly into the pot. Cover immediately with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
9. Uncover and Crisp the Crust: Remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 10–12 minutes, until the crust turns deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Cool Before Slicing: Transfer the bread to a wire rack and allow it to cool for at least 10–15 minutes. This resting time allows the interior crumb to finish setting and prevents a gummy texture.

Notes

• The optional cold fermentation step enhances flavor but is not necessary for a successful bake.
• Be sure to preheat the Dutch oven thoroughly to achieve the best crust.
• Do not knead the dough; its wet and sticky texture helps develop gluten naturally during fermentation.
• Use parchment paper to safely transfer the dough into the hot Dutch oven without burns or sticking.
• Allow the bread to cool before slicing to avoid a gummy texture inside.

Keywords: no-knead bread, artisan bread, easy yeast bread, homemade bread, Dutch oven bread, crispy crust bread, chewy crumb bread