No Knead Bread Recipe That Lets You Sit Back While Crusty Goodness Happens

Bread So Easy You’ll Think it’s Suspicious

Ever seen those golden, crusty loaves in fancy bakery windows and thought, “How do they make that?” Spoiler: it’s not some secret French lab. It’s this no knead bread recipe—turns four basic ingredients into artisan-level bread with zero kneading. Basically, you mix, wait, bake, and flex.

Why This No Knead Bread Recipe Will Be Your Weekend Hero

Let me make it simple:

• Golden, crackly crust and chewy interior = bread perfection.
• Hands-off approach = more time for Netflix.
• Minimal ingredients—seriously, it’s just flour, water, yeast, salt.
• You don’t need a mixer, fancy tools, or any pride.
• Impress your friends, your mail carrier, your cat… whoever’s around.

Ingredients You’ll Actually Use

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp instant yeast (or active—adjust time)
• 1¾ cups (420g) warm water (~75°F–80°F)

Substitutions?
Bread flour gives more chew. Cool water = longer rise time.

Tools & Kitchen Gadgets Used

Affiliate-ready bread gear:

• Mixing bowl – and your phone, this is low effort
• Wooden spoon – optional, but worth the aesthetic
• Digital kitchen scale – for exact baking awesomeness
• Cast-iron Dutch oven (6–8 qt) – your crust hero
• Parchment paper – no sticky drama
• Lid for Dutch oven – usually comes with it
• Cooling rack – so crust stays crisp
• Bench scraper – or clean hands, your call

Step-by-Step Instructions (No Knead, No Problem)

1. Mix, Don’t Stress

In your bowl, stir flour, salt, yeast. Pour in water, mix until shaggy dough forms. No kneading, no judgment.

2. Bulk Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or towel. Let it hang at room temp 12–18 hours. It should bubble and double. Think of it as a loaf spa day.

3. Preheat the Oven

Place your Dutch oven with lid in the oven at 450°F (232°C) for 30 minutes. Get it smokin’ hot.

4. Shape & Transfer

Dump dough onto floured parchment. Fold edges into the center to form a round loaf. Let rest 15 minutes.

5. Bake Covered

Lift parchment and place dough into hot Dutch oven. Cover and bake 30 minutes.

6. Bake Uncovered

Remove lid; bake 10–15 minutes more until crust is deep golden. Crust checks: it should sound hollow when tapped.

7. Cool & Slice

Let cool on rack at least 1 hour. If you cut it early, you’ll end up with a gummy crumb—sad.

Calories & Nutritional Info (Per Slice, loaf yields ~12 slices)

• Calories: ~180
• Carbs: 36g
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 1g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg

Bonus: it’s plant-based and zero sugar—straight-up wholesome.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Rushing the Rise
Skip the patience? You’ll get flat, bland bread.

2. Not Preheating the Dutch Oven
Crust needs that initial burst of heat. Don’t skip.

3. Overhandling the Dough
Leave those bubbles alone—they’re flavor in disguise.

4. Cutting Too Soon
Wait the hour. I know it’s torture.

5. Baking Too Long
A little char is fine. But burnt = regret.

Variations & Customizations

1. Whole Wheat No Knead
Swap 1 cup flour for whole wheat. Longer rise recommended.

2. Garlic Herb Infusion
Drop a few smashed garlic cloves and herbs (rosemary, thyme) into the Dutch oven during bake.

3. Cheese-Stuffed Loaf
After folding, stuff with shredded cheese before baking—ooey-gooey surprise.

FAQ – People Also Ask

Q1: How long does no knead bread take?
Active work = ~15 mins. Rise = 12–18 hours. Bake = ~45 mins. Total = ~14–19 hrs.

Q2: Can I use active dry yeast instead?
Yes—just dissolve in warm water and give it extra rise time.

Q3: Do I need a Dutch oven?
Highly recommended. It traps steam for that bakery crust. Cast iron is best.

Q4: Can I freeze no knead bread?
Sure. Freeze whole or sliced; thaw at room temp or in toaster.

Q5: Why is my bread dense?
Probably under-risen or over-floured. Next time, let it bubble more and fight the urge to add flour.

Q6: Does no knead bread need scoring?
You can, but not necessary. It gives a rustic look and controls expansion.

Q7: Can I make smaller loaves?
Yes! Just divide dough and bake in smaller pots—just adjust bake time slightly.

Final Thoughts – Zero Effort, Maximum Crust

Seriously, if you bake just one loaf this year, make it this no knead bread recipe. It’s minimal work and chef-level results. You’ll likely abandon store-bought bread forever. Go on—start the rise tonight and prepare to amaze yourself (and everyone who walks through the door). Tag me in your crusty wins 😉