flowers beside yellow wall
A close up of a loaf of bread
A close up of a loaf of bread

No Knead Dutch Oven Bread

This crusty Dutch oven bread has a golden, crackly crust and a soft, chewy inside — all with minimal effort. If you love bakery-style bread but don’t want complicated steps, this recipe is for you. It’s perfect for soups, sandwiches, or just warm with butter.

Why You’ll Love This Bread

  • No kneading required

  • Only 4 basic ingredients

  • Crispy artisan-style crust

  • Beginner-friendly

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

  • ½ teaspoon active dry yeast

  • 1 ½ cups warm water (about 105–110°F)

Directions

Step 1: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Pour in warm water and stir until a shaggy dough forms. The dough will look sticky — that’s normal.

Step 2: Let It Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 12–18 hours, until doubled in size and bubbly on top.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Place a Dutch oven (with lid) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Heat the pot for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Turn the dough out onto lightly floured parchment paper. Gently shape into a round loaf. Do not punch it down.

Step 5: Bake

Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven. Lift the dough (using parchment) into the pot and cover with the lid.

  • Bake 30 minutes covered

  • Remove lid and bake 10–15 minutes uncovered until deeply golden

Step 6: Cool

Remove bread and cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Tips for Best Results

  • For extra flavor, let the dough rise closer to 18 hours

  • Use bread flour for a chewier texture

  • Add herbs, garlic, or cheese for variations

Nutrition Facts (Per Slice – Approx. 1 of 12 slices)

  • Calories: 130

  • Carbohydrates: 27g

  • Protein: 4g

  • Fat: 0.5g

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sodium: 290mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used.