Imagine pulling a golden, crusty loaf of bread out of your oven that looks like it came straight from an artisan bakery - without spending hours kneading or requiring professional baking skills. This Rustic No Knead Bread is your ticket to bread-baking glory, transforming simple ingredients into a spectacular loaf that will have your family and friends wondering if you've secretly trained as a professional baker. With just four ingredients and minimal effort, you'll create a bread so delicious and beautiful, it'll become your new weekend cooking obsession!
Prep Time: 12 hrs
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 12 hrs 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until they are evenly mixed.
- Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of water to the dry mixture. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix until a shaggy, wet dough forms. The dough should be sticky and rough, but well combined. Avoid over-mixing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for about 12 hours, or until it has doubled in size and is bubbly on the surface. This long fermentation process develops the flavor and texture of the bread.
- After the resting period, flour a clean work surface and gently scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the floured surface. Be careful not to deflate the dough too much. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour if it’s too sticky.
- With floured hands, gently shape the dough into a round loaf by folding the edges toward the center. Do this carefully to maintain the air bubbles in the dough.
- Transfer the shaped loaf onto a piece of parchment paper. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise for about 1 to 2 hours, until it has puffed up noticeably.
- About 30 minutes before the dough is ready, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe pot (with its lid) inside the oven to heat up.
- Once the oven and pot are hot, carefully remove the pot from the oven using oven mitts. Lift the parchment paper with the dough and gently place it into the hot pot. Cover with the lid.
- Bake the bread covered for 30 minutes. This helps create steam, which gives the bread a nice crust.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the pot and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and has a crisp crust.
- Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the pot using the parchment paper. Let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This allows the interior to finish cooking and improves the texture.
- Enjoy your Rustic No Knead Bread fresh, or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days.
Tips
- • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor • Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free area during fermentation • Don't rush the rising process - time develops deeper flavors • A Dutch oven is crucial for creating that professional crispy crust • Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements if possible • Resist cutting the bread immediately after baking - let it cool to set the crumb • Experiment with adding herbs or seeds for flavor variations • Store bread in a paper bag to maintain crispness • If the dough seems too wet, add a little more flour gradually • For extra flavor, try using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
