No-Knead Bread without a Dutch Oven

Making bread at home has a reputation for being difficult. But it doesn’t have to be! This recipe for no-knead bread, requires no stand mixer, no special tools, and is perfect for beginners. And of course, there’s no kneading.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

• No special tools No-knead bread doesn’t require a stand mixer. And this recipe doesn’t need a Dutch oven. So you don’t need to invest in any tools before deciding you like bread baking.
• It’s so easy. This recipe isn’t finicky about temperatures or timing. Sure, if your kitchen is cooler, it will take longer to rise. But it will still get there. And the shaping is easy. Just make a ball. You can absolutely make this recipe successfully on your first try.
• Time does all the work for you! The secret to this easy loaf of bread is the long rise at room temperature. Mix up the dough in the morning and let it sit all day before shaping and rising for one hour more. This wet dough and the long rise combine to develop proteins and gluten without kneading. (To be honest, the science of it all isn’t terribly important. All you need to know is how to make it. If you can hold a spoon and mix for a minute, you can do this. Let’s get started.)

🧂 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

You’ll need the following for this super-easy loaf:

• All-purpose flour
• Water
• Salt
• Instant yeast

🥣 Equipment

• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Cooking Spray
• Parchment paper
• Baking Sheet

🍴Instructions

Step One: Mix!

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Add one cup of water and mix with a rubber spatula until evenly combined. The dough should form a ball while still looking rough and lumpy. If the dough does not form a ball or is too dry, add another teaspoon of water at a time.

Step Two: the first rise

Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap. Leave it on the counter at room temperature so it can rise for 10 hours or overnight. This long rise is necessary because the recipe is no-knead. Make sure to leave it for the full 10 hours. At the end of the rise time, the dough should be very puffy

Step three: shaping

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Take the dough out of the bowl and shape it into a smooth ball. Pull from the bottom of the dough to smooth out the top, rather than smashing down on the dough.

Don’t get worked up about this. Just hold it in one hand and pull on the bottom until the top smooths out into a round ball. The tighter you can get it, the better. But don’t stress about it.

Step FouR: The final rise

Prepare a warm place for the dough to rise. This can be done by turning on your oven for a short time or by putting a bowl of hot water in it. Then, cover the dough with greased plastic wrap and make sure that it is completely covered. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, until it’s puffy and almost doubled in size.

Step FIve: Bake

You can bake this bread on any old baking sheet.

When you’re ready for baking, place the dough on a piece of parchment paper that’s been lightly sprinkled with cornmeal or extra flour. Sprinkle some flour over the top and slash it. Make sure you cover with sprayed plastic wrap so that the dough doesn’t dry out as it rises and so that the plastic wrap doesn’t stick to the dough.

Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes. You can bake this bread on any old baking sheet. It’s done when it’s golden brown.

🥫 Storage instructions

Bread is best eaten fresh, but it can be stored just fine for a day or two. If you want to store your bread, place it in a paper bag or wrap it in aluminum foil and store at room temperature. Bread can also be frozen for up to three months.

When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw at room temperature or pop it in the oven for a few minutes. Enjoy!

🔍 FAQs

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

• The wet dough and long rise combine to develop proteins and gluten without kneading. It doesn’t seem like it should work, but it does.
• Don’t rush your dough. You need to begin the recipe at least 12 hours before you want to bake, so plan ahead. If you’re baking in the summer, it might rise a bit faster, and in the winter, a bit slower So use this recipe but don’t be alarmed if the times are different for you.

• If you give the dough enough time, it will triple or quadruple in volume.
• It takes about 12 hours from start to finish, including rising time. To break it down, the first rise will take about 10 hours. Then you shape the dough into a ball, then let it rise again for 1 hour.

📘 Related Recipes

• Easy No-Knead Sandwich Bread
• No-Knead Sourdough Bread
• Truly No-Knead Sourdough Bread
• Jalapeno Cheddar No-Knead Bread Recipe

🍽 Serve it witH

Just about anything. But if you’re in the mood for a cozy homemade dinner, try these recipes:

• Skillet Spinach Pasta with Chicken is a creamy, easy dinner
• Brussels sprouts with bacon will turn even your veggie haters into fans.
• Top everything off with homemade old-fashioned butterscotch cookies.

📖 Here’s the recipe

Making no-knead bread is actually easier than you may think. The secret to the success of this recipe is in its simplicity and long rise at room temperature, which can be done without a Dutch oven or any special tools. To make it even simpler for beginners, there’s only one shaping step- just hold it with your hand and pull on the dough until it smooths out into a round ball! This wet dough requires 12 hours from start to finish including rising time so plan ahead if baking during summer months when rises faster or winter months where rises slower. No matter what season you’re living in, using these tips will help ensure that your perfect loaf of no-knead bread comes out every time!