This no-knead overnight bread is ridiculously easy to make and incredibly delicious. It turns out every. single. time. Even for beginners, this bread recipe is foolproof! It's so simple, it practically makes itself. No one can resist this yummy homemade Dutch oven bread recipe hot out of the oven - trust me!
I mean, there's nothing like the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven! Is there? Making gorgeous golden brown, tender, chewy loaves of bread with crackly crusts at home has never been easier.
This crusty Dutch oven bread is phenomenal served along with homemade Cauliflower Mushroom Curry Soup, Vegetable Bean Soup or rich and hearty Vegan Chili!
4 Ingredients for Overnight Bread
This no knead artisan bread recipe is really simple to make. And the loaf reminds me of my homemade sourdough bread - gorgeous crispy crust, lots of air pockets and deliciously chewy texture. This homemade bread is considered lean dough (made without eggs or fat) it's a simple and inexpensive vegan bread to make. Here's what you'll need . . .
- commercial yeast - active dry or instant yeast
- water - slightly warm
- flour - bread flour has more protein than all purpose flour and develops the chewy texture and rise. I've used both with 100% success.
- salt
How to Make Simple No-Knead Bread
- Mix The Dough - in an extra large bowl or bread bucket mix the dry ingredients together. Add the warm water and stir to incorporate all the dry bits. Dough will be shaggy and sticky.
- Cover and Let it Rest - for 12-18 hours at room temperature. Resting the bread dough gives the flour time to hydrate, the gluten strands more time to develop which improves dough strength for rising and baking success. Plus the yeast and flavors develop during this time producing a more delicious loaf of bread.
- Shaping the Dough - once ready to bake, tip the dough onto a floured work surface. Shape the dough into a ball or oval shape. Let it rest, covered, on a piece of parchment paper while the oven and pan preheat.
- Bake - Preheat the oven and Dutch oven with lid (30 minutes). Putting the moist dough into the hot pan and adding a lid creates a hot and steamy environment perfect for making bread swell and creating a crispy, crackly golden crust.
- Cool - remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack.
Variations for No-Knead Bread Dough
Add in's can be as simple as a handful of chopped garlic, some herbs or a sprinkle of melty cheese (add to dough when mixing).
Typically I add a few sesame seeds to the top of my loaf. Right before baking, mist with water or brush with plant-based milk and then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
FAQ - no knead bread
Check the expiry date on the yeast before using, it may have expired. Be sure the dough is in a draft-free spot, the bowl is covered, and the space is warm for best results.
A longer rise gives the bread dough a chance to strengthen and the flavor time to develop so letting it rest and rise overnight produces the best results. However, you can mix the dough in the morning and enjoy freshly baked bread in time for dinner!
Yes! I made this bread with and without a Dutch oven. Although there are a few differences with the bread baked in a large soup pot/stock pot, both produced a loaf of bread that is delicious!
The pot creates an insulated, steamy, draught free, consistent heat environment for the bread loaf to rise and puff up (oven spring), produces a deep golden crust, and chewy texture. The Dutch oven works particularly well because it holds high heat really well and has a heavy, tight fitting lid. So choose the heaviest pot you have with lid and get baking bread!
Ways to Serve Crusty Bread
- Hot out of the oven slathered in butter.
- Toasted with homemade peanut butter and jam for breakfast.
- For scooping vegan chili or Lentil-Mushroom Bolognese with dairy-free sauce!
- Vegan 'egg' salad sandwich Avocado Chickpea Sandwich.
More Easy Vegan Bread and Baking Recipes
Master Refrigerator Dough Recipe - for everything from garlicky breadsticks to gooey eggless cinnamon buns, incredible dinner rolls and hamburger buns and so much more.
Easy Pita Bread (vegan) - simple and magical pita bread made from master dough.
Vegan Cloud Biscuits - quick and easy and oh so tender, flaky and delicious!
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Easiest No-Knead Overnight Bread
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Equipment
- Dutch oven or pot with lid.
- Bread dough bucket or large mixing bowl.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups flour, all purpose or bread
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon active dry or instant yeast
- 1 ½ cups water, room temperature
INSTRUCTIONS
Mixing the Dough (the day before baking)
- In a large bowl or bread tub, mix together the flour, salt, and yeast.
- Pour in the room temperature water and mix until incorporated - using a large spoon or clean hands.
- Wet your hands and scoop to the bottom of the bowl to incorporate all the dry bits of flour.
- This dough will be shaggy and sticky. Be sure to incorporate all the dry flour.
Proofing the Dough
- Time to let the dough rest and do its thing.
- Cover the bowl with a plate, towel or plastic wrap. Leave out at room temperature for 12-18 hours (overnight or all day and bake for dinner).
Baking Day - Shaping the Loaf
- The dough will be bigger and puffy now. Flour your work surface. Scrape the loose, sticky dough from the bowl.
- With lightly floured hands, gently lift one edge of the dough and fold it into the center (fold it onto itself) quarter turn and repeat 4-5 times creating a ball. Gently push the edges in and tuck them around until you have a round(ish) shape.
- Place the bread dough ball onto the parchment paper seam side down. Cover the dough with the bowl or a towel and let it rest while the oven and pot preheat (~30 minutes).
- Place rack in lower ⅓ of oven. Set the oven to 450º F.
- Place a large (6 quart) cast iron Dutch oven (or heavy pot with lid) into the cold oven and let the oven and pan with lid preheat for 30 minutes.
Baking Day - Oven Time
- Open the oven, using an oven mitt, remove the lid of the Dutch oven. Lift the edges of the parchment paper and place it together with the dough into the heated Dutch oven (be careful NOT to touch the sides of the pan). Replace the lid.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, remove the lid and continue baking uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the outside crust is brown and crispy.
- Remove pot from oven. Transfer bread to a wire rack immediately to cool before slicing.
NOTES
This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.
Original post august 2018 - updated October 2021
Grace
Hi! Trying this re pie out for the first time tonight! Wondering how long the bread lasts for after it is baked?
simplyceecee
Enjoy! That bread lasts a very short time at our house because my family eats it so fast. However, I have had a loaf for several days in a ziplock in the fridge. I'm sure it's fine for a couple days on the counter as well. It does freeze well so you could slice and put in a ziplock in the freezer to be used as needed.
Cassandra crocker
Hi, when you used a large stock pot did you put the lid in the oven as well and if so did you turn down the heat?
simplyceecee
Yes, I did put the lid on the pot in the oven while pre-heating and also for the first 30 minutes of baking the bread. Then I removed the lid for the last 10-15 minutes until golden. I did not reduce the heat.
Jenn
This bread is amazing! Could eat it every day
Tracy Halasz
Agreed! It's so easy and lately we have been eating it every day!!!
Madalena Morais
Thanks for such an easy way to make bread🙏 it looks great and I am sure it tates wonderful. I have the dough resting tonight and hope all will be ok to bake tomorrow.
I have a question- dont we need to make the "cuts" before baking? I dont remember to have seen it mentioned...sorry, I am a Portuguese speaking person...dont have much vucabulary 😁
Tracy Halasz
Good morning, you are welcome. No it's not necessary to score this bread. Let me know how it turns out!
Steve B.
This is a phenomenally easy and delicious bread. I have made it exactly as written, and have received rave reviews. As an option, use fresh whey (from yogurt/cheese/etc. making) in place of the plain water. You will not be disappointed with the light sourdough-like flavor it imparts to the finished loaves. Best wishes and happy baking!
Tracy Halasz
So happy to hear you enjoyed the bread. It's a family favorite too!
Michele churcher
Hi, would you be able to make this using a sourdough starter?
Tracy Halasz
Good morning, I have not tried with sourdough so I'm not sure. Let me know if you try.
Susan
This overnight bread is so easy to make. I love that there is practically no hands-on time. Plus it's so delicious!!! Thank you for this easy homemade bread recipe.
Tracy Halasz
I'm so happy you are enjoying it - it's the simplest bread recipe from scratch ever! Have a great week.