No Knead Artisan Bread
This No Knead Artisan Bread transforms simple ingredients into a crusty, golden loaf with an airy, chewy interior, perfect for bakers of all levels.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups Bread flour (or plain/all-purpose flour; approximately 15.8 oz or 450g) Provides essential structure and chewiness.
- 1 tablespoon White granulated sugar Enhances flavor and aids yeast activation.
- 2 teaspoons Dried, instant, or rapid-rise yeast Key player for dough rise.
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt Essential for flavor.
- 1.5 cups Warm water (about 375 ml) Encourages yeast growth.
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil Adds richness and keeps crust crisp.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the warm water and olive oil into the dry ingredients, and use a spatula to incorporate everything into a wet, sticky, shaggy dough.
- Lightly spray the top with cooking oil spray, cover with plastic wrap, and place a dry tea towel over it. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free environment for 2-3 hours, until it has doubled in size and has a bubbly, jelly-like appearance.
Baking
- As the dough rises, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a large Dutch oven or heavy-based pot with its lid in the oven for about 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured work surface, scrape the dough out of the bowl with a spatula. Flour the top lightly and fold it over itself a few times to form a rough shape.
- Roll out a large piece of parchment paper. Place it next to your dough, gently roll the dough onto the paper with the smooth side facing up, and reshape if necessary.
- Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Using the parchment paper, lift the dough and place it into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color.
Cooling
- Once baked, transfer your loaf to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For enhanced flavor, consider adding dried herbs or cheese during the mixing stage. You can also experiment with different types of flour and increase proofing time for complex flavors. Maintain steam in the oven for a crisper crust.