Name: Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 13 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast; 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)

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When you’re craving bakery-quality bread without a bakery-level effort, this Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe is your secret weapon. With just a handful of simple ingredients and almost no hands-on time, you’ll be rewarded with a rustic, golden loaf that has an impossibly crisp crust and chewy, tender interior. This is the ultimate fuss-free recipe that has completely changed my bread-baking game, allowing even beginners to enjoy a loaf that tastes like it came straight from an artisan shop down the street.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe lies in its elegant simplicity. Every ingredient has a role to play, and together they create bread magic that’s so much greater than the sum of its parts!

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the loaf, providing structure and a pillowy crumb—bread flour can be swapped for extra chew, or whole wheat for a nuttier flavor.
Salt: Not just for flavor! Salt also helps develop the gluten for that perfect artisan texture while balancing the yeast activity.
Instant yeast: Just half a teaspoon is enough; this quietly does all the heavy lifting overnight, making your dough rise without fuss.
Warm water (about 110°F): This brings the dough together and activates the yeast, ensuring a gentle, steady rise.

How to Make Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by grabbing your largest mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. There’s no need for fancy equipment—just a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula will do. Pour in that perfectly warm water, stirring until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. It should look rustic and a little messy; that’s all part of the charm! The dough will feel very loose, but trust the process.

Step 2: Let It Rise

Cover that bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let your dough rest on the countertop for 12 to 18 hours. Yes, it’s a long nap, but this slow fermentation is the heart of the Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe. You’ll know it’s ready when the surface is dotted with bubbles and the dough is doubled in size and wobbly with airy pockets throughout.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven and Dutch Oven

Preheat your oven to a roaring 450°F (230°C) and set your Dutch oven (with its lid) inside to heat up as well. This step is key! Baking in a preheated Dutch oven creates a mini steam chamber that gives the bread its signature crackly crust. Don’t skip this part—the magic happens here.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

While the oven works its magic, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and dust your hands with a little flour to keep things tidy. Gently form the dough into a loose ball, handling it just enough to shape it without deflating all those glorious bubbles. Let the dough rest atop a piece of parchment paper for about 30 minutes while your oven finishes preheating—that’s enough time to let the loaf relax before baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Carefully (it will be very hot!) remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the dough by the parchment paper and nestle it inside the pot—no need to fuss, just lower it in. Pop the lid on and bake for 30 minutes, then take the lid off and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until you see a deep golden, crackling crust. Let your masterpiece cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing, allowing the crumb to set and the aroma to fill your kitchen.

How to Serve Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe

Garnishes

For a touch of flair, brush the top with olive oil or rub with a cut clove of garlic while it’s still warm. You can also sprinkle it with flaked sea salt or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an extra burst of aroma and beauty.

Side Dishes

This bread truly shines beside a bowl of homemade soup, hearty stews, or next to a platter of roasted vegetables. Try pairing it with a creamy brie or tangy goat cheese—or, keep it classic with butter and a sprinkle of salt. You’ll find endless excuses to serve slices with nearly any meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, slice the loaf and serve it in a rustic breadbasket lined with a linen towel. Dice it into chunky croutons for salads, or pull the interior into pieces for fondue. For an artisan twist, cut the loaf horizontally and create a loaded bruschetta board—your guests will be wowed!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover bread wrapped in a cotton towel or paper bag—this preserves that unbeatable crisp crust. Avoid plastic bags if you can, since they trap moisture and soften the crust. If you’ve included add-ins like cheese, store in the fridge, loosely wrapped.

Freezing

To freeze, let your Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe loaf cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. You can freeze the whole loaf, or slice it first for easy grab-and-toast portions. Enjoy it within 2 to 3 months for the best flavor.

Reheating

Refresh your bread by spritzing the crust with a little water and popping it in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. This will revive the crunch and bring back that just-baked aroma, as if your loaf was fresh from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes! Simply dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water first and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy, then proceed with the recipe as written.

What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?

You can bake this bread in any heavy oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid or, as a last resort, use a covered casserole dish. The key is to trap steam for that crisp artisan crust.

Can I add herbs, cheese, or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Fold in fresh herbs, shredded cheese, or chopped olives right after mixing the dough. This is a wonderful way to personalize the Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe to your taste.

Why does my bread have a gummy or dense texture?

This can happen if the bread steams too long in the Dutch oven or is sliced too early. Letting it cool completely on a wire rack ensures the interior sets and isn’t underbaked or sticky.

What’s the best way to get a super crunchy crust?

Make sure your Dutch oven is fully preheated, bake with the lid on to trap steam, and then finish uncovered for those final 10 to 15 minutes to let the crust really brown and crisp up.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let homemade bread intimidate you—give the Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe a try and experience the joy of artisan baking fresh from your own oven. There’s something genuinely magical about breaking into a golden crust and enjoying a slice you crafted yourself, and I know you’ll fall in love with every bite.

Best No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 13 hours (includes resting time)
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegan

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Description

Learn how to make the best no-knead artisan bread with a crisp crust and soft interior. This easy recipe requires minimal effort and basic ingredients to create a delicious loaf at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)

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Instructions

Mix the Dough: Whisk flour, salt, and yeast. Add water, stir until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let it rise for 12-18 hours.
Preheat and Shape: Preheat oven to 450°F. Shape dough into a ball on parchment paper.
Bake: Place dough in a preheated Dutch oven. Bake covered, then uncovered, until golden and crisp.
Cool and Slice: Cool bread on a wire rack before slicing.