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Easy Crispy No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe Perfect for Beginners

crispy no-knead artisan bread - featured image

This no-knead artisan bread recipe is simple, requires minimal hands-on time, and produces a crispy crust with a soft, airy interior. Perfect for beginners and those who want fresh homemade bread without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) lukewarm water (75-80°F / 24-27°C)
  • Optional: cornmeal or extra flour for dusting

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt. Stir well to distribute evenly (about 2 minutes).
  2. Pour in 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) lukewarm water. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms (2-3 minutes).
  3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature (around 70°F or 21°C) for 12 to 18 hours until doubled in size and bubbly.
  4. Lightly flour a clean surface and scrape the dough onto it. Fold the dough over onto itself a couple of times to loosely shape into a ball (2-3 minutes).
  5. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let it rest for 1 to 2 hours until puffed up again.
  6. About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven with the lid inside to heat.
  7. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven using oven mitts. Lift the parchment paper with the dough and lower it gently into the pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove the lid and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and crisp.
  9. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

Preheat the Dutch oven to trap steam for a crispy crust. Use parchment paper to transfer dough safely. Resist adding extra flour during shaping to maintain open crumb texture. For extra crispy crust, bake uncovered for last 15 minutes or briefly broil while watching closely. Adjust water slightly if dough feels too wet or dry due to humidity.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-knead bread, artisan bread, easy bread recipe, crispy crust bread, beginner bread recipe, homemade bread