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This No-Knead Bread is the easiest recipe ever! Flour, salt, yeast, and water combine then bake in a hot Dutch Oven to make the most delicious crusty bread.

No-Knead Bread baked in a Dutch oven

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No-Knead Bread

There are few things I love more than freshly baked bread slathered with butter and sometimes jelly. Something about it feels so old-fashioned, homey, and comforting. Maybe it’s the basicness of it that makes me have all of the feels … or maybe there is some kind of memory that I can’t truly recollect, but it conjures up enough in me that I feel somehow more connected to history or family in something so silly as homemade bread. Do you ever feel like that?

Ingredients needed to make No-Knead Bread

This just might be the world’s easiest bread recipe ever. If the thought of baking bread intimidates you, then this is a good recipe to start with since it’s almost foolproof! If you’re an experienced baker, this is a great recipe for those times when you don’t want to do a bunch of work – this bread recipe almost takes care of itself! Let’s be honest, we all need days like that some times.  ? The best part? You’ll only need a handful of common ingredients to make this crusty. delicious bread. 

making homemade bread

What is No-Knead Bread?

Simply put, it is a type of bread baking method that uses a long fermentation or rising time instead of the traditional kneading method to form strands of gluten that gives bread its texture and chew. Generally, the dough requires little yeast and is wet or sticky. 

mixing ingredients to make bread
dough after being mixed

Ingredients for Homemade Bread:

  • all-purpose flour
  • salt
  • instant yeast
  • room temperature water
dough ready to be baked

How to Make No Knead Bread:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Stir in the water until blended; the dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest 12-18 hours at room temperature.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place in a 6 to 8-quart heavy covered pot in the oven and let it heat for about 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, gently scrape the dough onto a well-floured work surface. Shape the dough into a ball. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
  4. Once the pot is heated, remove the plastic wrap from the dough ball. Carefully lift the dough and parchment paper together and place them so the parchment paper lines the bottom of the pan (NOTE: the pot will be extremely hot so use caution when lowering the parchment paper and dough into the pot!)
  5. Cover the pot with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

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sliced bread with spread

No Knead Bread: FAQs

  • Can you knead the bread?

    Sure … you could, but that defeats the purpose of no-knead bread! ? Take the easy route on this one and use a traditional kneaded bread recipe if you *really* want to knead bread!
  • How does No-Knead Bread work?

    Instead of the traditional kneading method, which many of us are familiar with, No-Knead Bread uses fermentation to form gluten strands that give bread its texture. Most no-knead bread recipes will call for a small amount of yeast, and the dough will be wet or sticky. 
  • Why is my bread so dense?

    This usually happens because there is too much flour. This dough should be sticky, and although it might be tempting to add more flour – Don’t do it!! Sometimes, humidity or the age of the flour might affect the density of the bread.
  • Why is my bread so gummy?

    Check your oven temperature! Gummy bread usually occurs because the crust forms on the bread before the inside has reached its full volume. 
  • Why is my bread so flat?

    Your yeast may be past its expiration date or the water temperature could have been too hot and killed the yeast. 
close-up No-Knead Bread slice

How did you like this recipe

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Everyone loves a great homemade bread recipe and this not only easy, but it is also a family favorite! I would love to know about your experiences with the recipe. Please leave me a comment, or ask a question if you have one!

sliced bread laying on a cloth surface
crusty bread after being baked

Other recipes you may enjoy

baked bread in pan
4.40 from 424 votes
Servings: 1 loaf

No Knead Bread

By Jamie Sherman
This No-Knead Bread is the easiest recipe ever! Flour, salt, yeast, and water combine then bake in a hot Dutch Oven to make the most delicious crusty bread.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Additional Time: 18 hours
Total: 18 hours 55 minutes

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Ingredients 

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 ½ cups room temperature water

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Stir in the water until blended; the dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest 12-18 hours at room temperature.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place in a 6 to 8-quart heavy covered pot in the oven and let it heat for about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, gently scrape the dough onto a well-floured work surface. Shape the dough into a ball. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and cover loosely with plastic wrap. 
  • Once the pot is heated, remove the plastic wrap from the dough ball. Carefully lift the dough and parchment paper together and place them so the parchment paper lines the bottom of the pan (NOTE: the pot will be extremely hot so use caution when lowering the parchment paper and dough into the pot!) 
  • Cover the pot with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Notes

  • Nutrition calculated with 1 loaf = 12 slices.
  • Instead of the traditional kneading method, which many of us are familiar with, No-Knead Bread uses fermentation to form gluten strands that give bread its texture. Most no-knead bread recipes will call for a small amount of yeast, and the dough will be wet or sticky. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 115kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.05g, Sodium: 292mg, Potassium: 38mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 0.002mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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4.40 from 424 votes (423 ratings without comment)

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49 Comments

  1. Dawn says:

    5 stars
    This was super easy and the bread is delicious. I will definitely be playing with additions and other flour types. I used a convection oven and adjusted temp to 425 and timing 25 with lid and 10 with out. Also split into 2 smaller loaves as my dishes were 2.5 qt, Pyrex dishes