This no-knead bread is the easiest, cheapest homemade loaf you’ll ever make — just four pantry ingredients, no kneading, no eggs, and no butter. Mix the dough in five minutes, let time do all the work overnight, and wake up to a bakery-style crusty loaf with a golden crackling crust and a soft, chewy crumb.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt. Stir in the warm water until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and shape it into a round ball. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place a Dutch oven (with its lid) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for 30 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the dough to the hot Dutch oven (a sheet of parchment paper helps), cover with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake 15-20 minutes more, until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing — this is the hardest step, but it’s worth it!
Crusty on the outside, tender on the inside — once you make this no-knead bread, you’ll never want to buy a loaf again. Enjoy!
