About this recipe

A foolproof, bakery-style crusty bread with a golden, crackly crust and a soft, chewy interior. Made with just four simple pantry ingredients, this no-knead method does all the work for you overnight — perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. Baking it in a Dutch oven traps steam to create that signature artisan crust you'd expect from a professional bakery.

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Instant yeast, and kosher salt until evenly combined.

2. 2

   Pour in the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms and no dry all-purpose flour remains. The dough will look rough and messy — that's perfectly normal. Do not knead.

3. 3

   Cover the mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and let the dough rest at room temperature for 8 to 18 hours. The dough is ready when it has roughly doubled in size and the surface is dotted with bubbles.

4. 4

   About 30 minutes before baking, place your Dutch oven (with its lid) into the oven and preheat to ![450°F]. This step is critical — the screaming-hot Dutch oven is what gives the bread its incredible crust.

5. 5

   While the oven preheats, turn the risen dough out onto a well-floured surface. With floured hands, gently fold the edges of the dough toward the center 4–6 times to form a rough ball. Do not overwork it — just bring it together. Flip it seam-side down.

6. 6

   Place the dough ball seam-side down onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Lightly dust the top with all-purpose flour and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let it rest for 20–30 minutes while the oven finishes preheating.

7. 7

   Using insulated gloves, carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and remove the lid. Using the parchment paper as a sling, lower the dough (parchment and all) into the Dutch oven. Score the top of the dough with a sharp knife or bread lame — one or two slashes about ½ inch deep. This controls how the bread expands.

8. 8

   Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. The lid traps steam from the dough, which keeps the crust soft long enough for the bread to fully expand.

9. 9

   Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15 minutes, until the crust is a deep golden brown. For a darker, crunchier crust, bake an extra 3–5 minutes. The internal temperature should read %[200–210°F] on an meat thermometer.

10. 10

    Using the parchment paper, carefully lift the bread out of the Dutch oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 30–45 minutes before slicing. Cutting too early releases steam and makes the interior gummy.