No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe

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With just 4 simple ingredients, you can make this No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe. It's surprisingly easy to make, too - just make the dough, let it rest, then bake it in the oven for 40 minutes. No kneading involved! The crust is golden and crackly, while the inside is soft and fluffy.

Did you know that you can make delicious, bakery-style, no knead bread with little effort? I kid you not - all you'll need is a few pantry staples and a dutch oven (or something similar). It's almost impossible to mess up!

This super-simple method was originally created by Jim Lahey (owner of Sullivan Street Bakery) and the world is a better place because of it! This recipe has been adapted thousands of times and shared all across the internet. Bread really brings people together!

This recipe is fuss-free and mostly hands-off. The hardest part is just waiting for the dough to rest which takes 3 ½ hours. Jim's original recipe has a longer rest time, but I found this recreation of his recipe with a quicker time, so I tried it out and it worked perfectly.

My family loved it! We had it with my Vegan Carbonara and used the leftovers for Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwiches. It's so versatile!

So, are you ready to give this a try? Here's what you'll need...

Ingredients needed:

(FULL AMOUNTS IN RECIPE CARD BELOW)

• All-purpose flour
• Sea salt
• Instant dry yeast
• Water  (hot)

How to make Artisan Bread

• 1 - Whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl until combined.
• 2 - Stir in the hot water until just combined and a sticky and shaggy dough forms. Don't overwork the dough. Use a spatula to scrape the sides if needed.
• 3 - Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and place in a warm spot in your kitchen. Let the dough rest for 3 hours. The dough will puff up and will be covered in bubbles (photo #3 shows what the dough looks like after 3 hours).

• 4 - Liberally flour your work surface. Using a spatula, scrape the dough onto work surface and sprinkle top with flour. Using a bench scraper or floured hands, fold the dough in towards the center about 6-8 times. No need to knead!
• 5 - Tuck in the bottom edges to form a round shape.

• 6 - Place the dough on top of parchment paper. Lift up the paper and place it into a large bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it sit for 30 minutes. Place a 4-6 qt dutch oven with the lid into your oven and set it to 450 °F. The pot should heat up for the entire duration of the dough resting time.
• 7 - Take the pot out of the oven. Pick up the paper with the dough and place it into the pot and cover with lid. Place the pot back in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes to crisp the top. Remove from oven and set out on a cooling rack.

Tips and Tricks:

• Make sure your water is hot, but not boiling hot or it will kill the yeast. You should be able to touch the water without burning your finger. The ideal temperature is around 120°F – 130°F.
• Let the bread completely cool before slicing so it can finish cooking inside. Also, use a rack so air can circulate underneath and prevent soggy bread.
• Use a serrated knife to make the bread easy to slice.
• This is a no knead bread recipe, so resist the urge to knead! The magic happens by letting the dough rest.
• Make sure your yeast is not expired or your dough will not ferment and rise.
• If your oven is not hot enough, the bread will not bake up properly. I highly recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure you're baking at the right temp.

What's the purpose of baking bread in a Dutch oven?

It conducts heat evenly and creates the perfect environment for your dough to bake in. By leaving the lid on, it traps in steam which gives the inside of the bread time to cook before the crust sets.

Then, removing the lid before the crust fully browns will release the steam and the crust will turn golden brown and super crispy! This whole process yields a soft center with the perfect amount of moisture and a crackly crust. It's foolproof!

Can I make it without a Dutch oven?

I prefer a dutch oven, but you can use any oven-safe dish or pot that has a tight-fitting lid and is big enough to fit the dough. Make sure to check the maximum temperature on the dish/pot before using it.

You can also try a glass baking dish with a lid, a heat-proof pot or bowl fitted with aluminum foil, Clay baker with lid or a pizza stone with a heat-proof bowl to cover. The idea is to create a steamy environment to help the dough expand without drying out the crust.

Can I use active dry yeast?

Yes! Just use ¼ teaspoon more than the instant (total ¾ tsp). Dissolve it in ¼ cup hot water (not boiling), along with ½-1 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-8 minutes until it bubbles up. If it doesn't, then the yeast is dead, and you'll have to try another packet.

Now add the yeast mixture to the hot water in the recipe, but make sure to use ¼ cup less water (1 ¼ cups). Mix together and proceed with the written recipe.

How can I store it?

It's best to leave the bread out at room temperature in a bread box or in a paper bag so it stays crisp. Don't store it in the refrigerator or it will turn stale due to the starch crystallizing.

Artisan bread is freshest the same day but it will last for 2 days when stored properly. To refresh the bread, spritz crust with water and place directly on an oven rack that is preheated to 400 F.

Can I freeze it?

Yes! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 2-3 months. You can also slice the bread first before freezing, so you can just use what you need. Thaw on the counter, then warm in the oven on a baking sheet for 15 minutes at 35o F.

Ways to enjoy it:

• With a big bowl of soup
• For vegan fondue
• Sandwiches
• With a pat of vegan butter
• Alongside a big plate of pasta
• For dipping

I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you make this Artisan Bread Recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.