This no-knead bread recipe offers a simple and delicious way to create homemade artisan bread without the hassle of kneading. With minimal hands-on time and basic ingredients, you can enjoy crusty, flavorful loaves straight from your oven.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.
Add the lukewarm water to the flour mixture, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours, or until doubled in size and bubbly.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven or baking stone in the oven while it preheats.
Once the oven is preheated, carefully remove the hot Dutch oven or baking stone. Line it with parchment paper.
Gently shape the rested dough into a round or oval loaf and place it into the prepared Dutch oven or onto the baking stone.
Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and place it back into the preheated oven. If using a baking stone, cover the loaf loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid on (or covered with foil), then remove the lid (or foil) and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and crusty.
Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
For a more complex flavor, you can use a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour.
Experiment with adding herbs, spices, or grated cheese to the dough for variations in flavor.
Store any leftover bread in a paper bag or wrapped in a kitchen towel to maintain its crustiness.