No-Knead Bread (Foolproof)

this is the classic no-knead bread that changed home baking forever. Four ingredients, zero effort, bakery-style crust 🍞

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No-Knead Bread (Foolproof)

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp instant or active dry yeast

• 1½ cups room-temperature water

That’s it. No sugar. No oil.

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Instructions

1. Mix

   • In a large bowl, stir flour, salt, yeast, and water.

   • Dough will be sticky and shaggy—perfect.

2. First Rise

   • Cover loosely.

   • Let rise at room temperature 12–18 hours.

   • Dough should be bubbly and doubled.

3. Shape

   • Flour your hands and counter.

   • Gently fold dough over itself a couple of times.

   • Shape into a rough ball.

   • Rest 30–60 minutes, covered.

4. Bake

   • Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

   • Place a Dutch oven (with lid) inside to heat.

   • Carefully drop dough into hot pot.

   • Bake 30 minutes covered, then 10–15 minutes uncovered until deep golden.

5. Cool

   • Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.

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What You Get

• Crunchy, crackly crust

• Soft, airy interior

• Artisan bread with almost no work

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Important Tips

• Long rise = flavor

• Sticky dough = good dough

• Don’t rush the cooling (steam finishes the crumb)

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Variations (Still No-Knead)

• Whole wheat: replace 1 cup flour

• Garlic/herb: fold in before shaping

• Cheese: add shredded cheese last fold

• No Dutch oven: bake on a sheet pan with a pan of water underneath

If you want:

• Faster 2-hour version

• No-oven method

• Soft sandwich loaf

• Beginner troubleshooting

tell me—happy to help 🍞