Easy No Knead Bread Recipe Using A Dutch Oven or Sheet Pan

If you have been to the blog before you know that I love to bake bread, or really anything that has flour haha. Making bread at home is such a comforting thing to do. When we come home to the smell of fresh bread, its somewhat etherial.  Baking homemade bread is also a labor of love and something that centers me.  Today I want to show you one of my easiest bread recipes.  Seriously, this is one that anyone can tackle.  I am sharing my no-knead bread recipe with some of my favorite bloggers! Make sure to check their recipes out at the end of my post!

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Are you a novice bread maker?  Is this your first try making bread?  You have come to the right place!  I want to help you understand how easy it is to make bread, and things that you should know to give you a little more confidence in understanding how this whole flour, water, yeast and salt thing works.

The importance of flour, salt, and yeast in no knead bread

All these ingredients work together to add an important element to the bread.  Obviously flour is a necessity.  Gluten is vital t the structure of the bread.  Yeast feeds off the sugars and creates bubbles which is what raises the dough.  Salt adds flavor and changes the texture of the bread.  If you omit the salt, you will notice a marked difference in both flavor and texture.

With only 4 ingredients you can have amazing no knead bread:

Can you believe that with only 4 simple inexpensive ingredients you can have an amazing loaf of bread.  It kind of amazing how being able to make a simple loaf of bread can make you feel empowered and give you confidence.  With only 4 ingredients you can have a flavorful loaf of bread and practically no work.

How to make no knead bread that tastes amazing:

I have tried a couple different methods of making no knead bread, and the one thing that has made the biggest difference is the time that you let the dough sit and rest and rise on the counter.  If you are in a pinch and want to make the bread quickly after making the dough you can, but the result will be a more dense bread.  

Letting the dough sit on the counter for up to 12 hours lets the dough ferment and allow the yeast to rise.  It gives the bread its structure.

So, how do I make my no knead bread recipe quick and easy?

You wont believe it.  Promise.  Depending on when I want to bake the bread there are two different times I will get it started.  I often will mix up the dough in the morning, about 7 or 8 am, and let it sit all day until it is time to bake it for dinner.

The other time is making it at night before I got to bed.  I then bake it in thee morning and enjoy the bread all day!  This especially nice if you are having a big Sunday lunch, or a brunch with friends.

So, first step….

Mix the flour, salt, and yeast together in a big bowl.

Next step….

Add the warm water and mix it all together until it is well combined.  I use my danish dough whisk to mix my dough up.  its a wonderful tool.  I also use it when making any of my sourdough breads.

 

I use my hands right inside the bowl to finish mixing the dough to make sure it is all incorporated.

Once it is all mixed together and there are no lumps of flour, cover it with some plastic wrap and let it sit. Thats it!  Make sure your plastic wrap is secure so it wont dry out.  I usually sit mine on my stove which is the warmest place in my kitchen.  I will often let it sit from 5-12 hours depending on how much time I have.

Once i am ready to bake the bread, I preheat the oven to 450, with my dutch oven inside to preheat as well.  You can use a sheet pan to cook this bread, but I love the way the dutch oven helps to give crispy crust.

While the oven is preheating I take the dough out of the bowl, trying not to deflate the dough too much.  I shape it into a ball and lay it on a floured piece of parchment.  

I then place it and the parchment paper directly inside the dutch oven once it is hot.  This gives the dough a couple more minutes to rise.  

I put the lid on, and often add a couple ice cubes to the bottom of the pan, under the parchment paper.  The steam helps the dough to rise in the pan and give it an amazing crust.

Bake it in the oven for 30 minutes with the lid on.  You will then want to take the lid off and let it bake another 15-20 minutes to get the top golden brown and finish the inside.

Last, let it cool on a rack before cutting.  This no knead bread is amazing and the perfect companion to a bowl of soup or some spaghetti.  My kids love using it to dip in some balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  This bread is a hit at our house and it is so very easy to make.

Its crusty on the outside and soft in the middle.  

 

Want more amazing bread recipes? Check these out too!

• The Ultimate Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
• How to Make Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread
• Easy French Bread Recipe in Under 2 Hours
• The Easiest 2 Ingredient Flatbread Recipe You WIll Ever Make!
• How to Make Wheat Bread That is Easy and Delicious

How about learning sourdough from the very beginning?  Click here and check this post out!

 

When you are in a rut and feel like you might want to try something new, make sure to try this super easy no-knead bread recipe and find out how easy it is for you to be a superstar in your home!

Now, do you want even more great bread recipes?  Check these out below from some of my favorite bloggers!

10 Best Bread Recipes

Happy Happy Nester // Stuffed Italian Pizza Bread Recipe

Inspiration For Moms // Popovers with Honey Butter

Finding Lovely // Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Most Lovely Things // Brown Butter Banana Bread

My Sweet Savannah // Easy Homemade Breadsticks

Modern Glam // Crusty French Baguette Recipe

The DIY Mommy // Everything Bagel Focaccia Bread with Truffle & Honey

My 100 Year Old Home // Gluten Free Sourdough Banana Bread

Tatertots & Jello // The Easiest Cheesiest Keto Breadsticks

Twelve on Main // Easy No Knead Bread Recipe