Imagine pulling a perfectly golden, crusty loaf of bread out of your oven with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This No Knead Country Bread is the ultimate secret weapon for home bakers who want professional-quality bread without the intimidating techniques. With just four simple ingredients and a revolutionary hands-off method, you'll create a rustic, artisan-style bread that looks like it came straight from a French bakery - and nobody will believe you made it yourself!
Prep Time: 12 hrs
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 12 hrs 45 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Whisk the dry ingredients together until they are evenly mixed.
- Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of room temperature water to the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir until a shaggy dough forms. Ensure that all the flour is incorporated and there are no dry spots.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for about 12 to 18 hours. This long fermentation process will develop the flavor and texture of the bread.
- After the resting period, the dough should have doubled in size and be bubbly on the surface. Lightly flour a clean work surface and gently turn the dough out onto it. Be careful not to deflate it too much.
- With floured hands, fold the dough over itself a few times to form a rough ball. Avoid excessive handling to maintain the air bubbles in the dough.
- Place the dough seam side down on a well-floured piece of parchment paper. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rest for about 30 minutes while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven (with its lid) inside the oven to heat up for about 30 minutes.
- Once the oven and Dutch oven are preheated, carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Remove the lid and gently lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it inside the hot Dutch oven. Be cautious as the pot will be extremely hot.
- Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and return it to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes covered to create steam, which helps develop a crust.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid of the Dutch oven and continue to bake the bread for an additional 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Once done, carefully remove the bread from the Dutch oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This cooling period is important as it allows the interior crumb to set properly.
- Enjoy your homemade No Knead Country Bread fresh or toasted with your favorite toppings!
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients - especially your yeast and flour
- Be patient during the long fermentation process; this is where the flavor develops
- Ensure your Dutch oven is preheated thoroughly for the best crust
- Use parchment paper for easy dough transfer and cleanup
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to maintain the ideal texture
- Experiment with adding herbs or seeds to customize your loaf
- Store bread in a paper bag at room temperature to maintain crustiness
- If the dough seems too wet, don't panic - a high hydration is key to the bread's texture
- Use a kitchen scale for most accurate ingredient measurements
- Cover the dough loosely during resting to allow air circulation
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 164kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
