Crusty No Knead Bread
Easy no knead bread with the perfect combination of soft, airy and crispy!
Jump directly to the recipe for crusty no knead bread
I’m having a very mixed emotional week and some of it is rather trivial, to be quite honest. Case in point, shows. I’m always looking forward to Wednesdays and Thursdays because some of my favorite shows air (and Sundays because… The Good Wife) but now it’s season finale time so we’re coming to the conclusion for what feels like a very extended break after many mini breaks throughout the seemingly short seasons. Five months before we get to find out what happens next. I get that’s why they’re cliff hangers, but it’s still frustrating and sad. Summer shows never quite have the same joy or excitement as those during the regular season. I’m already starting to poke around and find binge worthy shows for the Summer so if you have any amazing suggestions, I’m all ears.
I’m hoping to get back into reading more once Summer is in full swing in a few short weeks. It’s so easy to get distracted or overly busy that books get dropped or you just fall behind. I need to change that and make it a quiet time priority again. I’ve been so out of the loop when it comes to books that I’m not sure what’s good right now or recently. Would love some fun suggestions if you’ve read anything good lately.
Garden update: I’m seeing lots of sprouts poking through! If you’ve ever been interested in growing micro-greens. Do it. They sprouted super fast and are already well ahead of everything else I planted. Easy and fast! That makes for happy gardening. I always hate waiting for results. Hopefully in another week everything will be poking through the top layer of soil. Stay tuned…
I’m basically carb obsessed and always have been. If there’s bread, I’m there. Warm and slathered with butter is especially tasty, but even just sliced off and enjoyed as-is is fine by me.
I’m a huge believer that anyone can make delicious bread at home. There is no reason to rely on store bought bread. Make it fresh at home, where you can control both the ingredients and results. It’s honestly easier than most probably think. This bread is especially easy and very hands off, but does require more time than the average loaf. But… the hands off part, that’s key here.
A bit of warning, when I say in the instructions to generously coat the towel in flour, do it. A thick layer of flour is necessary as this bread is much more liquidy and soft than traditional loaves. It’s going to suck up all of that flour and stick to any surface not covered in flour. Less is definitely not more in this case. More is absolutely okay here, and encouraged.
Prep this no-knead bread the night before you want it…just five easy minutes of prep, then bake for dinner the next day! You’ll have an incredibly soft and crusty homemade loaf of bread to enjoy with your favorite meal.
Crusty No Knead Bread
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 C water
- 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 3 C all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat water to 115°F. Dissolve yeast in water and allow to proof for 5-10 minutes.
- In a large bowl combine flour and salt. Slowly stiry in water until just combined. Mixture will appear very wet and sticky. Cover and allow to sit in a draft free location for 12 hours or more.
- Coat a tea towel generously with flour. (*see note) Transfer dough to prepared towel. Carefully fold dough over onto itself several times to shape into a rough ball. Coat well with additional flour and top off with a second towel. Alternately (also known as the easier method), transfer towel and dough to a large bowl. Sprinkle well with flour, being sure to cover edges. Cover and allow to rise in a warm location for 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Preheat a heavy duty 5 quart Dutch oven (or other large pot with lid) in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove pot from oven. Transfer dough to a large piece of parchment paper, large enough to go up the sides of your pot. Transfer dough, with parchment paper, to preheated pot.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes and an additional 15-30 minutes uncovered. Internal temperature should reach roughly 200°F when done.
- Cool in pot until easy to handle. Slice and serve. Store remaining bread in an airtight container.
Just spotted this on twitter, came over to read more! I love the airy texture of this loaf, it’s just begging for some salted butter!!
I make a few loaves each week, but for some reason I’ve never tried baking in a pot before?!? Will add to my ever growing to-do list! Pinned!
Thanks so much Justine. I hope you enjoy it!
We totally need to figure out what we’re going to binge watch together this summer!!
Love this bread recipe :)
We really do! That should be our mission this week.
Yes please! I love homemade bread but never have the time to make it any more… this would be ideal. Start it before bed and then bake it in the morning (and then the whole house smells amazing all day long)! And then I probably would end up just eating the whole thing by myself! lol. MUST try soon!
The perfect prep ahead bread :)
I love baking bread, especially on the weekends. I find the whole process therapeutic, including the kneading. I’m not sure if that makes me (A little?) Odd? Lol. For that reason I have yet to make no knead bread, although it’s on my bucket list. Yours look incredibly delicious, and it has inspired me to cross it off my bucket list and finally make it! Thanks for sharing ♡ I’m looking forward to trying this out!
I agree – baking and bread in general is very therapeutic :)
A bread recipe without kneading?? That sounded really interesting. Fabulous recipe and yes, I am with u when u say need to do more reading during summer.. Count me in.
Thanks so much! :)