My Dutch Oven No Knead Bread is the oh-so-simple recipe you need when you want a beautiful, delicious loaf of artisan bread without the hassle. Minimal ingredients and even less hands on work, it comes out perfect every time!
Let's get started!
Jump to:
And, if you're in the market for some more super easy, super delicious bread recipes, you're come to the right place!
Try my Beer Bread, my Savory Monkey Bread, or my Homemade Flour Tortillas. I even have another Dutch Oven No Knead Bread With Salami and Olives! They're all easy and so good!
Pull Up A Chair And Let's Chat!
These days everyone is into making their homemade breads. And, I'm here for it! What I am not here for is bread that takes 3 weeks 37 seconds and needs a pinch of eye of newt to get the job done. When I want a wonderful tasting loaf of bread, I want it now. This Dutch Oven No Knead Bread is the answer.
It's a simple mix and rise, an even simpler loaf shaping, and a quick trip in the oven. The texture of the crust is perfection and the inside is even better. My family and myself love this recipe and I make it multiple times a week. Once you try it, you will, too!
What You'll Need (It's Not Much)
For this Dutch Oven No Knead Bread you will need AP Flour, Instant Yeast, Kosher Salt, and Water. That's it!
I love to add a healthy sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh ground pepper to the top of the bread before baking. It adds a little salty crunch and wonderful flavor. However, it is not mandatory.
The Importance Of A Good Dutch Oven
You need a good dutch oven. That is all there is to it. It's a true workhorse in the kitchen and if you buy a good one, it'll last a lifetime. Everything from soups, to slow-braised pot roast to this Dutch Oven No Knead Bread.
I own both the Staub brand and the Le Creuset brand dutch ovens. Expensive? Yes. Will last and they back up their warranty. Yes, they do. I've had a couple cheaper versions and they have all chips and/or cracked in a few years. I recommend saving your money and investing in quality.
Buy Now → How To Do It (It's Not Hard)
I'm gonna give you a brief rundown of this Dutch Oven No Knead Bread, but the exact specifics and measurements will live down in the recipe card. But, the nuts and bolts of it are:
- Add the whopping 4 ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until a shaggy dough forms and cover.
- Let it sit for 3 hours.
- Form the loaf and bake covered 30 minutes.
- Bake uncovered 15 minutes.
- That. Is. It.
I do want to go over a few things about forming the dough, though. This dough is very loose and sticky. You will need a good bit of flour on your hands and on your working surface.
Do not panic. All you need to do is turn the dough into a rough ball shape. No more, no less. Also, and very important, when handling this dough be as delicate as possible. you need as many air bubbles as you can keep in the dough so that it can oven spring while baking. That just means so it can get nice and big and beautiful.
Once you scrape out the dough into your heavily floured working surface, just coax it into a ball. Then, with heavily floured hands, place the dough ball onto the parchment paper. Now, all you have to do is a quick score across the top and into the oven!
For My Sourdough Lovers
If you are a sourdough person like me, you've probably got some starter hanging around. If you want to transform this Dutch Oven No Knead bread into a sourdough loaf, you can!
All you need to do is dissolve ⅓-1/2 of a cup of your room temp discard into the warm water before adding it to the recipe. Make sure you whisk it in well, but that's it. Carry on with the Dutch Oven No Knead Bread recipe as written and you'll have a lovely loaf of sourdough in less than 3 weeks!
Let's Not Go To The Emergency Room
You have to let the dutch oven get very hot in the oven before you add the bread. Make sure you stay focused here. It can be very easy to get distracted and try to grab the lid or replace the lid without oven mitts. Take your time. No one wants a trip to the ER.
Buy Now → Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a dutch oven?
Technically, no. You don't. But, trying to do this on a baking sheet or something similar will not give you the same crust or wonderful result. You can do it, just lower your expectations.
My dough is very loose. Is that ok?
Yes! This dough is infamously very loose and sticky. Just make sure your hands and work surface have plenty of flour. All you need to do is get it into a rough ball shape. Do not worry. You're not gonna mess this up.
Do I need to this rise in a warm place?
This Dutch Oven No Knead will rise in a "normal temperature" room. Not too hot, not too cold.
If you think it's too cold, you can turn your oven on for a few seconds, turn it off, and place the bowl in there. Close the door and it will trap the heat.
If your house is warm, it'll be fine hanging out anywhere.
Do I have to wait until my bread cools completely?
I will never tell you not to eat bread right out of the oven. I'm not that kind of girl. However, the loaf itself will do better in the long run if you can hold off and let it cool just a bit. 10-15 minutes will go a long way if you can stay strong.
Why did my dough not rise?
There could be a few things that caused this.
1. Your yeast might be dead. Toss it and get some new.
2. The wrong conditions existed. More than likely, it was too cold.
3. The yeast was accidentally killed. Hot water can do this.
My Dutch Oven No Knead Bread is dense as a brick. What gives?
Because no knead bread is not kneaded, glutens don't develop as much as with other bread recipes. This is why it is very important to handle the dough as delicately as you can and try not to squeeze out any air bubbles. You need as many bubblies as possible for the dough to lift during cooking.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Dutch Oven No Knead bread stays good at room temperature in a bread bag or airtight container for about 2 days. I keep mine in the fridge and it will at least double that time.
You can freeze this bread, too! Let it cool completely, sliced or whole, and seal it up in a freezer safe bag with as much air removed as possible.
If you freeze it whole, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and then stick it in the bag.
You can also freeze it sliced and take out pieces as you need for sandwiches, toast, or snacking.
My Dutch Oven No Knead Bread should stay good for 2-3 months in the freezer if you've got it wrapped up nice and tight!
To reheat it, I put it in the toaster until warm to keep the edges crispy. My kids prefer it wrapped in a damp paper towel and warmed in the microwave to keep it soft.
Recipe
Dutch Oven No Knead Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3½ cups ap flour
- 2¼ teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups warm water
- flaky sea salt and course ground pepper optional for topping
Instructions
Dough Prep
- Add flour, yeast, and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Make a well in the middle of the flour and add the warm water.
- Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 3 hours.
Preheat the Oven
- When you have about 45 minutes left of rise time, preheat the oven to 450° F with your dutch oven and the lid.
Dough Formation
- Scrape the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Make sure your hands are well floured. The dough is very sticky and loose.
- Form the dough into a very simple ball being as delicate as you can be.
- Carefully, place the dough ball down in the middle of a piece of parchment paper. Score it with either a bread lame or a very sharp knife. I did a simple cross.
- Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt and course ground pepper.
First Bake
- CAREFULLY, remove the lid from the VERY HOT dutch oven and gently lay the parchment paper and dough inside. CAREFULLY, put the lid back on and let this bake for 30 minutes.
Second Bake
- After 30 minutes, CAREFULLY remove the lid from the VERY HOT dutch oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
- CAREFULLY remove the VERY HOT dutch oven and let the bread cool on a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes...if you can wait that long.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you guys make this Dutch Oven No Knead Bread, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a star rating in the recipe card! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments! And, as always, be kind. I’m only human.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Dutch Oven No Knead Bread recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or YouTube! And, please leave a comment or star rating in the recipe card above. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. It makes my heart so happy! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Rufus for Real is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I may earn a commission, with no additional cost to you, if you purchase through those links.
Jai Knoot says
It is the fastest and easiest recipe for a loaf of bread.
My entire family was impressed with its taste and texture.
Rufus says
Hi, Jai! I'm so happy to hear you guys liked it! Have a wonderful day!
Cindy says
How long do I knead if I don’t have a mixer? Is that even an option on the no knead bread? Lol
Rufus says
You don't knead it at all. That's the beauty of this bread. You mix it, let it rise, turn it into a ball, lightly score it and bake! That's it! You don't need a mixer or bread maker or anything!
Emma says
Can you substitute AP flour for bread flour?
Rufus says
Yes, you can! It's great!
Meg says
I need to purchase a Dutch oven, what size do you recommend? Thank you!
Rufus says
Hi! I would look for one that's about 7 quarts. It's great for bread and everything else! Let me know if you have any other questions. I'd be glad to help!
Rachel says
I have never made bread before, and this came out perfectly! My family of four devoured it! I couldn’t cut the bread fast enough!
Rufus says
I am so very happy to hear it! This is what it's all about! Thank you so very much for letting me know. You guys have a great day!
Ana Barrera says
Hi!! Could you substitute a Dutch over for a bread loaf tin or tins?
Rufus says
Hi!!! I have not tested this, so I'm not exactly how sure it will turn out. If you do that, I would recommend letting it rise in two small loaf pans and baking from there. Just mix the dough, cut it in half, one half into one loaf pan, the second half in the other the loaf pan and let it rise, then bake. Grease the loaf pans well. Just keep an eye on it when baking. Not sure on times. I hope that makes sense! Let me know how it turns out!