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Easy, No-Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread

This Easy, No-Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread is the ultimate foolproof recipe for homemade bread lovers. With just a handful of pantry ingredients and minimal effort, you can bake a golden, crusty loaf with a soft, airy interior. Perfect for beginners, this bread requires no kneading and uses a Dutch oven to create the ideal baking environment for a rustic, artisan-style loaf.
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Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp instant or active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water

Instructions
 

  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Mix the Dough:
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.
  • Add warm water and stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
  • Let It Rise:
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size and is bubbly.
  • Shape the Dough:
  • Lightly flour a clean surface and your hands. Gently turn the dough out onto the surface and shape it into a round ball. Avoid overhandling the dough to maintain its airy texture.
  • Preheat the Dutch Oven:
  • Place your Dutch oven with the lid into the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for 30 minutes.
  • Prepare for Baking:
  • Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Cover with a towel and let it rest while the Dutch oven preheats.
  • Bake the Bread:
  • Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven and place the dough, with the parchment paper, inside. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
  • Cool:
  • Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing.