Dutch Oven Bread is a simple and rustic loaf that requires minimal ingredients yet delivers impressive results. It has a beautifully crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. Baking the bread in a Dutch oven traps steam, creating a perfect artisan-style loaf that looks like it came from a bakery. This no-knead bread is ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, making it a go-to recipe for a homemade bread experience without the fuss.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
Instructions:
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast. Gradually add the warm water, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours, or overnight, until the dough has risen and is bubbly.
- Preheat the oven and Dutch oven: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F. Place your Dutch oven (with the lid on) inside the oven to preheat as well.
- Shape the dough: Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. Using floured hands, gently shape it into a ball, being careful not to deflate the dough too much. Let it rest for about 15-30 minutes while the oven continues to preheat.
- Bake the bread: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and line it with a piece of parchment paper (if desired). Gently place the dough into the Dutch oven, cover it with the lid, and return it to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and has a crispy crust.
- Cool the bread: Once the bread is done, carefully remove it from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Enjoy your freshly baked, crusty Dutch Oven Bread!
