Best Easy No-Knead Bread

Featured in: Sheet-Pan & One-Pot Meals

This no-knead bread yields a crusty, airy artisan loaf with minimal hands-on time. Mixing a shaggy dough of flour, salt, yeast, and warm water, it's left to rest for 12–18 hours to develop bubbles and rise naturally. After shaping and a short second rest, the dough is baked in a hot Dutch oven for 45 minutes, creating a golden crust with an open crumb. Versatile and vegan-friendly, it pairs well with soups, cheeses, or olive oil dips.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 14:08:00 GMT
Golden-crusted, easy no-knead bread ready to slice, with a beautifully textured, airy interior—perfectly delicious. Save to Pinterest
Golden-crusted, easy no-knead bread ready to slice, with a beautifully textured, airy interior—perfectly delicious. | vectorgrill.com

A wonderfully crusty, airy artisan-style bread made with minimal effort and simple ingredients& perfect for beginners and bread enthusiasts alike.

This recipe quickly became my go-to for homemade bread because it produces a bakery-quality loaf without any kneading.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) instant yeast
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons (8 g) salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) lukewarm water

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, instant yeast, and salt.
Step 2:
Add the lukewarm water and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
Step 3:
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest at room temperature for 12 18 hours, until the surface is dotted with bubbles and dough has doubled in size.
Step 4:
Lightly flour a work surface and turn the dough out onto it. With floured hands, fold the dough over on itself once or twice. Shape it loosely into a ball.
Step 5:
Place dough seam-side down on a piece of parchment paper. Cover with a towel and let rest for 30 60 minutes while the oven preheats.
Step 6:
Place a Dutch oven (or heavy lidded pot) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.
Step 7:
Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven. Lift the dough with parchment paper and lower both into the pot. Cover with the lid.
Step 8:
Bake for 30 minutes (lid on), then remove the lid and bake another 15 minutes, until golden brown and crusty.
Step 9:
Transfer bread to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing.
This rustic loaf of the best easy no-knead bread is beautifully browned and ready for serving with butter. Save to Pinterest
This rustic loaf of the best easy no-knead bread is beautifully browned and ready for serving with butter. | vectorgrill.com

This bread has become a staple in our household, perfect for sharing with family during weekend breakfasts.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, wooden spoon or spatula, Dutch oven or heavy lidded pot, parchment paper, kitchen towel

Notes

For added flavor, mix in herbs, seeds, or roasted garlic before the first rise. For a chewier crust, spray the dough lightly with water before baking. Pairs excellently with soups, cheeses, or olive oil for dipping.

Nutritional Information

Calories per slice 135, Total Fat 0.3 g, Carbohydrates 28 g, Protein 4 g

Freshly baked, this easy no-knead bread promises a delightful, crusty texture and irresistible aroma throughout your kitchen. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked, this easy no-knead bread promises a delightful, crusty texture and irresistible aroma throughout your kitchen. | vectorgrill.com

This no-knead bread recipe will quickly become your favorite for its simplicity and delicious results.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How does the no-knead method work?

Allowing the dough to rest for 12–18 hours lets gluten develop slowly, creating structure without manual kneading.

What type of flour is best?

All-purpose flour works well, providing a balanced texture for crust and crumb.

Why bake in a Dutch oven?

The Dutch oven traps steam, producing a crispy crust and moist interior.

Can I customize the flavor?

Add herbs, seeds, or roasted garlic before the first rise to enhance taste.

How to achieve a chewier crust?

Lightly spraying the dough with water before baking adds moisture for chewiness.

Is this bread suitable for vegans?

Yes, this bread contains no animal products and fits vegan diets.

Best Easy No-Knead Bread

Airy crusty artisan bread made with minimal effort and simple ingredients, perfect for beginners.

Prep Time
10 mins
Time to Cook
45 mins
Overall Time
55 mins
Created by Chloe Moore


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Makes 8 Portions

Dietary Info Plant-Based, No Dairy

What You’ll Use

Dough

01 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
03 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
04 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

How-To

Step 01

Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and salt until evenly mixed.

Step 02

Mix dough: Add lukewarm water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.

Step 03

First rise: Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours until bubbly and doubled in size.

Step 04

Shape dough: Lightly flour a work surface, turn dough out, fold over once or twice with floured hands, and shape loosely into a ball.

Step 05

Second rise: Place dough seam-side down on parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let rest 30 to 60 minutes while oven preheats.

Step 06

Preheat oven and pot: Place a Dutch oven or heavy lidded pot inside the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.

Step 07

Bake covered: Carefully remove hot pot, lift dough with parchment paper, lower into pot, cover with lid, and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 08

Bake uncovered: Remove lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes until crust is golden brown and crisp.

Step 09

Cool loaf: Transfer bread to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.

What You’ll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Dutch oven or heavy lidded pot
  • Parchment paper
  • Kitchen towel

Allergy Info

Look over each item for allergens and check with your doctor if unsure.
  • Contains gluten from wheat.
  • Vegan-friendly.
  • Check packaging for possible cross-contamination.

Nutrition Breakdown (per portion)

Nutrition data is for learning only—not a substitute for professional medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 135
  • Fats: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Proteins: 4 g