Alright, alright, I'm definitely NOT a bread expert! But I do love to bake and making simple breads is easier than you think. This no knead bread is exactly how it sounds, no kneading, little work and BIG results.
Why No Knead Bread
Why not? First off, it's simple to make. Requires one bowl and can be prepared the night before. Making artisan bread takes time, skill and a bit of focus. I don't always have time for that, but one bowl + a few simple ingredients and I can have some incredible bread the next morning.
The Process
The ingredients and process are very simple and it will make the inexperienced baker look like a PRO!!!
- all-purpose flour
- yeast
- salt
- water
- mix-ins (I'm sharing a chocolate cacao nib and cranberry bread today as well as a roasted garlic)
This is a bread you should plan to make, meaning, prep the dough the night before and bake up the next morning. Or prep in the morning and bake later that evening. It takes time to rest and rise before baking, longer than traditional dough like pizza dough. This allows the yeast to work it's magic and create that artisan, bakery style bread that we know and love. Another essential tool is a dutch oven. You can use your fancy Le Creuset or something as simple as a Lodge cast dutch oven. I really love enamel ones for less upkeep, this Lodge one is affordable and gives you that nice coating. Since we will be baking these at a high temperature, we need an ovenproof baking vessel that can withstand heat to at least 450 degrees so check specifications before purchasing.
What if I don't have...
No dutch oven? Try using a heavy duty pot (be sure it can withstand 450 degrees) and cover with a heavy duty sheet pan as the lid. Simple and effective way to makeshift a dutch oven.
No parchment paper? You can absolutely pop the dough directly into the hot dutch oven or vessel you're using. It's often just easier to handle with the parchment paper. Be sure to flour underneath the dough well before transferring so it doesn't stick to the counter. It should roll freely as you shape.
Help...what kind of yeast??
There are two types of yeast: active dry yeast and instant yeast
Active dry yeast and instant yeast both help leaven bread and provide an airy, light texture, but they do so in slightly different ways and there's one major difference in how you use them: Active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water before using, while instant yeast can be mixed right into dry ingredients.
For this particular recipe, either yeast will work, so whatever you have on hand is fine. Just be sure your yeast isn't old, if it expired it will not activate. I store my yeast in the fridge or freezer to stay as fresh as possible.
Mix-ins
I love just a plain crusty loaf, don't get me wrong. And it's absolutely so easy! But at the same time, I adore jazzing up my bread. It makes it that more special. Here is a list of some combinations that are favorites of mine.
- rosemary and scallions
- olives + za'atar (3 tablespoon za'atar + ¼ cup diced olives)
- jalapeno & cheddar
- roasted garlic
- cinnamon and raisins
- cacao nibs + cranberries (chocolate bread - see below)
- or any combination you think would be tasty!
A slice of this in the morning with a smear of butter + flake salt is all I'll ever need in life, especially quarantine life. Find your favorite combination and make your creations today. I've linked my Chocolate Cacao Nib + Cranberry recipe below.
As always, I love seeing your creations. Please leave a review or share your dish with me on social media which lets me know what is working for you! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. For more delicious recipes to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter!
xoxo,
Cosette
For more bread recipes and sourdough details, check out my dear friend Leanne at Lion's Bread.
Other recipes you may like:
Almond Orange Semolina Muffins
Molasses Raisin Bran Muffins
Ka'ak el Eid
Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
No Knead Bread
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: bread
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: french
Description
You can choose any add-ins you'd like to this bread. To create a chocolate version, you'll add ¼ cup cocoa powder to your mixture.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp yeast - both instant and dry active will work
- 1 ½ cups room temperature water
- **for this chocolate version add ¼ cup cocoa powder
- add-ins - ½ cup of any of your favorite mix-ins
I added ¼ cup dried cranberries and ¼ cup cacao nibs
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all your ingredients in and mix slowly with a spatula.
- You'll want all your flour to be incorporated but don't work too hard, remember, it's no knead. Just fold over enough to incorporate everything.
- Next, cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside on your counter for 12 hours (overnight is great)
- Once your dough has sat for 12 hours, preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
- Place your EMPTY dutch oven and lid in the oven and heat for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prep your bread.
- Flour a clean work surface and gently dump your dough. It will be sticky, so gently allow to settle into the flour and flour your hands as well.
- Gently flour the top and begin rounding the dough into a ball. Be gentle. No knead!! Just gently ball and then place on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Set aside and drape the plastic wrap over top while your oven heats up.
- Once 30 minutes has gone by, remove your hot dutch oven carefully and remove lid.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the top of your dough and make a cut on the top of your dough, this will allow steam to escape.
- With the 2 sides of the parchment, lift and pop into the hot dutch oven.
- Cover and bake at 450 for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove lid and bake for another 10-15 until the top crust is nice and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool! The hardest part, let cool!!! You don't want to cut into it when it's piping hot or the bread will be doughy and gummy. Let it cool and enjoy!!!!
Notes
- All-purpose flour is preferred- you can certainly use bread flour. If you want to use wheat, I'd only do half, otherwise you'll have a dense bread.
- You do not have to add any mix-ins
- Cheese isn't my favorite mix-in as it gets a bit lost in the bread. You can always add to the top for the last 15 minutes and let it melt to have a cheesy top
S Baker says
My kids love it! I’m make rosemary scallion tonight.
Cosette's Kitchen says
Yay! So glad to hear and I love that combination, sounds tasty!
Xoxo,
Cosette
Indy_Ro says
After trying several different bread recipes, I was about to give up saying “it’s just not my thing”. Then saw this recipe on Cosette’s IG post. It is the easiest ever! She had me at “no knead”. The final product was a masterpiece. Even my 14 y/o “food critic” gave it top marks. Beautiful crusty outside, light, yet wholesome texture inside. Absolutely DELICIOUS!! Be mindful not to overwork the dough.. be gentle and loving. I can’t wait to try different versions (cranberry + candied ginger, whole wheat...)
Cosette's Kitchen says
Awwww, this ABSOLUTELY makes my day!!!! Thank you for sharing your experience and kind words. So glad you are enjoying the bread, such a treat!
Xoxo,
Cosette
Abigail Mendoza says
What would be the minimum wait time instead of over night for 12hrs? If possible
Cosette's Kitchen says
I'd say about 8 hours - could be daytime. Morning to evening.
Kimberly says
As I participate in the stay at home journey I am also increasing my cooking skill. I have tried for weeks to “grow”
Sour dough .. with daily disappointment I found cosettes no knead bread and it was extremely successful and delicious 😋 This is my go to bread from now on! Can’t thank you enough, Kim
Cosette's Kitchen says
Yay!!! So glad to hear this Kimberly!!!
xoxo,
Cosette
Betty says
I haven't made this recipe yet. Never baked bread before. However, your easy to follow recipe, is so clear, and simple, know , my first loaf of know knead bread , is going to be a great success. Already , have my newly ordered dutch oven, and parchment paper. How about the dutch oven did not cost me a penny ! Was the recipient of a free gift card, that I spent on a Lodge dutch oven. Already, am on the path to more healthy eating without breaking the bank. My store bought healthy bread, does not go on sale, and retails regularly for $5.99 a loaf.
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Cosette's Kitchen says
Awww, so glad to hear this! And what a wonderful time to be baking and enjoying fresh bread. Thank you for sharing your experience, means a lot to me.
xoxo,
Cosette
Amy says
Have been making this bread 2 times a week now! My husband and I go through it so fast! It’s so simple and so delicious! Can’t thank you enough for posting!
Cosette's Kitchen says
Awww, so glad! It's so simple and makes the best toast. Glad you are enjoying and thanks for leaving a comment.
Xoxo,
Cosette
Merlion SRWWW says
This receipe seems on the wet side to me. Not sure if it is due to weather, humidity or flour used. I added in some more flour but there is room for improvement.
Cosette's Kitchen says
Sorry it was on the wet side for you, could absolutely be a combination of those items. I'll be sure to edit to include instructions on adding additional flour if needed. Did it bake well?
Cosette
Linda Jerrett says
Hello I'm getting ready to put mine in oven proofed over night seems wet I added chocolate chips to mine .hoping it bakes well.my grandson is a chocolate lover .
Cosette's Kitchen says
Hi Linda,
Yes, the dough will be quite wet - you can use some flour to shape and gather the dough onto your parchment then into your Dutch oven..hope you enjoy!
Xoxo,
Cosette
Linda Jerrett says
Aww thanks I'm trying to get the lid off and finish before taking my granddaughter to school thanks for the reply, I noticed that some of the comments were from 2020 .have a great day 🍞
Camiella says
Made this bread for the first time 2 weeks ago with no mix in at all and it was delicious. Tonight we added cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips per my daughter request. Nervous about cooking them at such a high temp but figured what do we have to loose?
Cosette's Kitchen says
Oh yay! So glad you're enjoying making this bread. It's so lovely on it's own or modified. I have add cacao nibs without any trouble - I saw your bake and it looked delicious! Hope you all enjoyed - now I want to make a loaf!!!
xoxo,
Cosette
Merlion SRWWW says
Hi, I am so sorry. I made this bread a 2nd time and realized I measured the flour wrongly the first find. Additionally, in the 2nd time I added 1 cup and a little at a time for the balance. Until there is no dry bits of flour. It turned out a whole lot better.
Natasha s says
Love it ! Just one concern the bread turned abit flatter from my side. how can I fix it to rise like that? Xx
Cosette's Kitchen says
After rise time, shape the dough and let it rise another 30 minutes. If you feel it's not shaping as well, add a bit more flour and shape again. Hope that helps!
Rebecca A Phaneuf says
Hi there,
If I wanted to make the chocolate version but wanted the bread itself to be a little sweeter, could I just add a couple tablespoons of sugar to the dough, or would that throw things off? Thanks!
Cosette's Kitchen says
I think a few tablespoons would be fine, or you could use some hot cocoa mix vs cocoa powder. Let me know how it goes!!
xoxo,
Cosette
Cynthia D says
It's a beautiful bread, but do you eat with chocolate bread?
Cosette's Kitchen says
Thank you Cynthia! It's actually not a very sweet bread, the chocolate notes are very subtle. I personally enjoy it toasted with a bit of butter for breakfast or some nut butter. Hope this helps and you enjoy!!
xoxo,
Cosette
Cynthia Daugherty says
Yes, this does help, thank you.
Cosette's Kitchen says
🙂
xoxo,
Cosette
Lori says
I pinned the chocolate version but there is no recipe for the garlic version. I also used your search button and it just took me back to this one. Help!
Cosette Posko says
Hi Lori,
The roasted garlic simply adds in 1/2 cup of roasted garlic as the mix in to the base recipe with any herbs you like. It's very forgiving. Hope that helps!
Xoxo,
Cosette
Amy says
Been using this recipe for 5 years now. It’s a staple in our house. Soooo good!