Baking: Easy & Delicious No-Knead Bread Recipe

Introduction

Dreaming of bakery-quality bread without hours of kneading or complicated techniques? This Easy No-Knead Bread Recipe is a game changer for home bakers of any skill level.

With just a handful of ingredients and a little patience, you can create a crusty, artisan-style loaf that will impress your family and make your kitchen smell amazing.

Let’s get started!

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🍞 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ No kneading required—let time do the work for you.
✅ Crispy golden crust and soft, chewy interior.
✅ Minimal ingredients you already have in your pantry.
✅ Perfect for beginners—no stand mixer needed.

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🧾 Ingredients

Makes 1 round loaf

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose or bread flour
• 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups (355ml) lukewarm water

Optional:

• 1 tablespoon cornmeal or flour for dusting
• Extra flour for shaping

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🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, and salt.
Pour in the lukewarm water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.

Tip: It will look messy—don’t worry!

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2️⃣ First Rise (12–18 hours)

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean towel.
Let it rest at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
When ready, the dough should be doubled in size and dotted with bubbles.

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3️⃣ Shape the Dough

Lightly flour your hands and a clean surface.
Gently turn out the dough and fold it over itself a couple of times to form a rough ball.
Transfer it onto a sheet of parchment paper and cover with a towel while you preheat your oven.

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4️⃣ Preheat the Oven

Place a Dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid in the oven.
Preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.

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5️⃣ Bake

Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven.
Use the parchment to lift the dough and place it (with parchment) into the pot.
Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the lid and bake another 10–15 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown.

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6️⃣ Cool and Enjoy

Lift the bread out using the parchment and place it on a wire rack.
Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

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🌿 Tips & Variations

✅ Flavor Boost: Mix in herbs, roasted garlic, or olives before the first rise.
✅ Whole Wheat Version: Replace up to 1 cup of flour with whole wheat flour.
✅ No Dutch Oven? Bake on a preheated baking stone or sheet with an oven-safe dish of hot water underneath to create steam.

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✨ Why No-Knead Bread Works

The long fermentation time allows gluten to develop naturally without kneading. This slow rise creates incredible flavor, an airy crumb, and that irresistible artisan crust.

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📌 Conclusion

That’s it—fresh, crusty, homemade bread with hardly any effort! This Easy No-Knead Bread Recipe proves that baking doesn’t have to be complicated.

Try it once, and you’ll never want to buy store-bought bread again.