Description
Classic no-knead bread emerges as a simple, rustic delight for home bakers seeking minimal effort. Crisp exterior and tender crumb showcase minimal ingredients’ potential, inviting home cooks to savor fresh, aromatic bread without complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) warm water
- 2 tsps instant yeast
- 1 ½ tsps salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Blend flour, instant yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate warm water using a wooden spoon until a shaggy, uneven dough forms, ensuring thorough integration without over-mixing.
- Fermentation Phase: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the mixture rest at room temperature. Allow 12-14 hours for natural fermentation, during which bubbles will develop and the dough will significantly expand.
- Dough Shaping: Lightly flour a clean surface and hands. Gently transfer the risen dough, performing soft folding motions to create a loosely rounded shape without aggressive handling. Minimal manipulation maintains the bread’s delicate structure.
- Preheating Preparation: Position the shaped dough on parchment paper. Concurrently, heat the oven to 450°F, placing a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven with its lid inside to reach maximum temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
- Baking Process: Carefully remove the scorching hot pot, cautiously lower the parchment-wrapped dough inside, and immediately cover with the lid. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover to achieve a deep golden-brown exterior with a crisp crust.
- Cooling and Serving: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow substantial cooling time to stabilize the internal structure. Slice and serve with accompanying spreads like butter, jam, or alongside robust soups and stews.
Notes
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Control dough hydration by adding water gradually to achieve the perfect sticky yet manageable consistency without making it too wet or dry.
- Fermentation Timing: Monitor the 12-hour resting period closely; room temperature and humidity can significantly impact rising time and bread development.
- Prevent Sticking Smartly: Generously dust work surfaces and hands with flour to avoid dough adhering and maintain smooth handling during shaping.
- Preserve Crust Crispness: Allow bread to cool completely on a wire rack to maintain the crispy exterior and prevent soggy bottom from trapped steam.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg