Easy Artisan Bread Recipe
Introduction
Easy artisan bread is a simple and rewarding homemade loaf with a crisp crust and tender crumb. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy bakery-quality bread right from your oven.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the warm water and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rest for 12 to 18 hours, until bubbles form and the dough has doubled in size.
- Step 2: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid inside to heat. Meanwhile, turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it gently into a ball. Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven, place the dough inside, cover with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp. Let the bread cool before slicing.
Tips & Variations
- Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for a chewier texture and stronger rise.
- Add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use a heavy oven-safe pot or bake on a preheated baking stone with a pan of water to create steam.
Storage
Store the bread in a paper bag or wrapped loosely in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread in a sealed plastic bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster or oven until crisp.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast using the same amount. It may cause the dough to rise faster, so adjust rising time accordingly.
Do I need to knead the dough?
No kneading is required for this recipe. The long fermentation time allows gluten to develop naturally, resulting in a light, airy bread.
PrintEasy Artisan Bread Recipe
This Easy Artisan Bread recipe yields a simple, crusty, and rustic loaf with minimal ingredients and effort. Perfect for beginners, this bread requires just flour, yeast, salt, and water, resulting in a beautifully textured artisan-style bread with a crunchy crust and soft interior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 13 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
Instructions
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. The dough will be shaggy and sticky, which is expected for artisan bread.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours until it has doubled in size and surface is dotted with bubbles.
- Preheat Oven: Place a heavy Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with lid inside the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes to ensure it is thoroughly heated.
- Shape Dough: Lightly flour a work surface and scrape the dough onto it. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice to shape it into a rough ball. Let rest for 15 minutes.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the dough ball on a piece of parchment paper. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven, and lift the dough with the parchment paper into the pot.
- Bake Bread: Cover the pot with its lid and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and crisp.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the pot and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to allow the crumb to set.
Notes
- The long rise time develops flavor and texture without kneading.
- Use warm water to activate the yeast properly.
- Preheating the pot ensures a steamy baking environment for a crusty loaf.
- Allow bread to cool fully to finish cooking internally and improve slicing.
- You can store leftover bread wrapped in a tea towel for up to 2 days.
Keywords: artisan bread, homemade bread, no-knead bread, easy bread recipe, crusty bread
