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Easy No-Knead Crusty Bread Recipe with Crispy Golden Crust in 5 Steps

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This easy no-knead crusty bread recipe delivers a golden, crispy crust and chewy, tender crumb with minimal effort. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, it requires simple ingredients and slow fermentation for bakery-quality results.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, preferably unbleached
  • 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water (about 100°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, keeping salt away from direct contact with yeast.
  2. Add water and oil: Pour in 1 1/2 cups warm water and 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using). Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. No kneading needed.
  3. First rise: Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rest at room temperature (around 70°F) for 12-18 hours until the dough bubbles and doubles in size.
  4. Shape the dough: Generously flour a work surface. Gently scrape the dough onto it, fold over itself a few times to create surface tension, and shape into a round ball. Cover and let rest for 30-45 minutes while preheating the oven.
  5. Bake the bread: Preheat a Dutch oven with lid inside your oven to 450°F for at least 30 minutes. Place the dough on parchment paper and lower it into the hot Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake for another 15 minutes until deep golden and crispy. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped.

Notes

Be careful handling the hot Dutch oven. The long fermentation (12-18 hours) is essential for flavor and texture. Use warm water about 100°F to activate yeast without killing it. Flour your surface and hands generously to handle sticky dough but avoid adding too much flour to the dough. Preheat the Dutch oven properly to trap steam for a crispy crust. Listen for a hollow sound when tapping the bottom of the loaf to check doneness.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-knead bread, crusty bread, easy bread recipe, homemade bread, Dutch oven bread, simple bread, bakery style bread

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-no-knead-crusty-bread-recipe-with-crispy-golden-crust-in-5-steps/