Easiest No Knead Bread Recipe (2024)

The bread recipe I’m sharing today was my first everNo Knead Bread Recipeto try. I couldn’t believe how delicious and beautiful it came out without any effort. This bread has a rustic look from the outside and tender crumbs inside. It smelled heavenly while baking, and I’m glad I have tried it out, and it is amazing with any soup.

Will you be tempted to bake this bread if I told you that all you have to do, is add all the ingredients in a bowl, mix them with a spatula or a wooden spoon, proof it, and then bake it? It is this simple. The beautiful part is when you are done; your family will wonder how much time and effort you put into it.

No knead bread goes perfectly with butter, or dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. You will thank me after trying it with olive oil and parmesan cheese!

I have another famous tasty bread that you can try, and it is no-knead bread too. It is myCiabatta No Knead Bread Recipe; you can find step-by-step images and a video tutorial.

WHAT IS NO KNEAD BREAD?

No kneading is a method of preparing and baking bread, and instead of kneading the dough for a long time until smooth, we mix all the ingredients, which will result in a wet dough, then leave the dough to proof for 1.5 hours to up 18 hours.

The same goes for the recipe I’m sharing with you today. Mix the ingredients, cover the dough, let it rise on the kitchen counter for 1.5 to 18 hours, and then shape and bake it.

The difference I found in longer proofing is that the holes in the bread are bigger, and the flavor is more robust. However, following the method I teach you in this post also brings excellent taste. The intensity of flavor is a little less than when proofed longer.

🥘INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED

Simple pantry-staple ingredients are all you need to make this rustic-looking no-knead bread at home. Let's take a look at what these ingredients are.

You can scroll down to the recipe card for further details.

All-purpose flour:We'll use all-purpose flour. Are you surprised? You don’t have to buy bread flour for this recipe. I told you it’s simple.

Water:Warm water to mix it with the yeast and sugar. Ensure it’s not hot, or the yeast won’t be activated.

Yeast:You can go for active dry yeast or instant yeast —both work.

Sugar:We need sugar to activate the yeast, which adds flavor to the dough and keeps it soft.

Salt.

🔪HOW TO MAKE NO KNEAD BREAD

Making no knead homemade bread is easy and fun. The full instructions are in the recipe card below, but let's look at the main steps first.

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix the water with sugar and yeast. Keep it aside.

Step 2

Add the flour and salt to a mixing bowl and mix well. Add the previous wet ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or a spatula.

Step 3

Cover the dough and let it prove for an hour to an hour and a half in a warm place.

Step 4

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer the dough to parchment paper. With a spatula, bring the dough's edges to the center to form a round shape. Keep in mind that this is a sticky dough.

Step 5

Cover the dough with a damp towel or greased plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.

Step 6

Sprinkle flour on top of the dough, then make a cross in the middle of the dough using a sharp knife. The cut shouldn't be deeper than ¼ an inch.

Step 7

Preheat oven to 190C – 374F. Bake the bread for 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 8

Let the bread cool completely on a cooling rack.

💭COOKING TIPS

• You can use bread flour if you wish, the texture will be chewy, and there will be more holes in the bread. It will still have a great taste.
• You can bake the dough after shaping it in a Dutch oven pan. Place the Dutch oven in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Carefully and using mittens, remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the edges of the parchment paper and carefully place the dough with the parchment paper in the Dutch oven. Cover the Dutch oven for 14 minutes, then remove the lid and continue baking until the bread is golden brown. You can also use a deep cast iron.
• If you want the crust to be a little softer, place the bread while warm in a Ziplock bag and seal it.

📖DELICIOUS VARIATIONS

Roasted Garlic– Roast some garlic, mince it, and add it to the dough.

Chopped olives– Green or black olives will do, chop them, and put a small amount in the dough since olives release moisture.

Dry herbs– Add some dried Thyme or mint to the dough.

Sesame and seeds– Sprinkle sesame or sunflower seeds on the dough before baking.

🍲MORE BREAD RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

FAQ

🌡️STORING AND REHEATING

At room temperature: You can store your bread by wrapping it in aluminum foil or a clean kitchen towel and placing it in anairtight container. It will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.

In the freezer: Wrap it in aluminum foil or freezerplastic wrapand place it into an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Reheat: Let the bread thaw in the fridge overnight, and then pop it onto a baking sheet in a preheated oven until it's warm all the way through.

📖 Recipe