There’s no easier way to make fresh artisan bread at home than this Dutch Oven Bread recipe. Baking the simple 4-ingredient, no knead dough in a dutch oven gives you soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside bread each and every time.
Did you know that you can make artisan bread that’s fluffy on the inside and crispy and crunchy on the outside in the comfort of your own home WITHOUT getting your hands messy? Well, you can and it’s so easy!
This no knead Dutch Oven Bread recipe is foolproof, heavenly, and will make your home smell amazing! It’s made with a simple 4-ingredient dough and after one 2 hour rise (yep, the dough only goes through ONE rise!), it’s ready to be popped into the dutch oven.
Baking bread in a dutch oven is the best way to make an artisan loaf that’s super soft inside and crunchy and golden brown on the outside.
Tear off a big chunk to dip in Butternut Squash Soup or a hearty Vegan Stew, or just slather some with Vegan Butter! You can make this for dinner tonight!
What size dutch oven do I need?
I love my dutch oven for food like chili, soups, biscuit pot pie and more. I highly recommend getting one if you don’t own one already! Some brands are super expensive, but I’ve had my trusty Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven for years, and it’s never let me down.
6 quart is the best size, but this bread will likely work in one a bit smaller, a 4.5 quart size. But I wouldn’t go any smaller than that. If you have a larger one, that’s fine as well.
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
- All purpose flour – A simple all purpose flour will still give you perfectly fluffy and soft bread. You can use bread flour if you want or a 1:1 mix of whole wheat and all purpose flour instead. Sorry, I’ve never tried it gluten free! But go make this Gluten Free Artisan Bread from The Loopy Whisk instead.
- Salt – For flavor.
- Instant yeast – Unlike active dry yeast, instant yeast doesn’t need to be proofed before it’s used. Make sure it’s fresh and not expired so your bread can fluff up. You can use regular active yeast if needed, but the bread will need to rise a bit longer.
- Warm water – Test the temperature of the water with your wrist. If it feels a bit too hot for your wrist, it’s perfect to use for the yeast. If you have a thermometer, the water should measure 100ºF. Any hotter than 110ºF and it will kill the yeast.
How to make dutch oven no knead bread
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
No knead bread dough is probably the easiest you’ll ever make. It comes together by hand in just one bowl:
- Stir the flour, salt, and instant yeast together in a bowl.
- Pour the warm water in the middle and gently stir everything together. It’ll be quite sticky and messy.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and set it aside in a warm dark place to rise for 2 hours.
- After the rise time is up, check that the dough had doubled in size. It’s ready to be baked!
Place a square of parchment paper on the counter and sprinkle it with flour. Transfer the dough from the bowl to the paper. Sprinkle the dough with a little flour and use a spatula to gently fold the dough on top of itself about 4 to 6 times.
Flour your hands and gently shape the dough into a loaf shape in the middle of the paper. Or simply use the spatula to avoid touching it with your hands. It doesn’t need to be perfect!
I also like to cut several lines in the bread with a sharp, serrated knife.
Carefully remove the hot dutch oven from the preheated oven and take off the lid. Use the parchment paper as handles to move the bread dough from the counter to the dutch oven. Place the lid back on and bake.
Remove the lid from the dutch oven in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the bake time. You’ll know the bread is ready when the crust is golden brown.
Let the dutch oven bread cool for at least 30 minutes before you slice into it. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
- Letting the dough rise – If your house is warm, the bread should be fine to rise right on the kitchen counter. On colder days, I like to preheat my oven to 200ºF and then quickly turn it off and place the bowl inside with the door cracked for about 15 minutes. Afterward, I close the oven door and continue to let it rise for the whole 2 hours.
- Shaping the dough – While this is a true no knead bread recipe, it’s still important to shape the dough with a spatula a few times so the bread can have a great structure and be easier to handle. Try not to hand it too much or it will lose those wonderful fluffy air pockets.
- Preheating the dutch oven – Don’t skip this step! The dutch oven needs to be HOT when the dough goes in to help the crust get nice and crispy. Pop it in the preheating oven about half an hour before the bread is finished rising.
- Gluten free – I haven’t tested this recipe with gluten free flour, therefore I’m unsure if it would work. Almond or oat flour will not work for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
- What is no knead bread? In most traditional bread recipes, letting the dough rise multiple times and kneading it by hand is essential in forming the gluten. No knead bread doesn’t need to be kneaded because it’s left to rise once for a very long time. This gives the gluten plenty of time to form.
- What if you don’t have a dutch oven? You can bake no knead bread without a dutch oven but the crust won’t turn out as golden brown or crispy. Bake the dough right on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a preheated cast iron skillet instead.
- Why didn’t my bread rise? This probably means your yeast was old or expired. I recommend starting over with fresh yeast to get the best results.
- Can you make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely! Let the dough rise for 2 hours, then bake it or wrap it in plastic and keep it in your fridge for up to 7 days.
- Is it freezer-friendly? Very much so! Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge or on the counter before you use it.
Serving suggestions
There are endless ways to enjoy this easy homemade bread:
- Spread some vegan butter on each slice.
- Dip it into some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Use the slices for avocado toast.
- Serve it on the side of a comforting soup, like Vegan Potato Soup and Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup.
- Spread some vegan ricotta on the bread and top it with roasted cherry tomatoes.
- Use it to make sandwiches or grilled cheese!
- Spread some garlic butter on top to serve next to Vegan Lasagna or Eggplant Parmesan.
This artisan bread also makes wonderful Vegan French Toast!
More easy yeast recipes
Dutch Oven Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 packet instant yeast ( 2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (not hot or it will kill the yeast)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt and instant yeast.
- Add the warm water and stir together until a sticky dough forms. Don't worry about it looking like a round ball of dough; it will be quite messy and that is fine.
- Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and set in a warm place to rise for 2 hours. I preheat my oven to 200 degrees F, then quickly turn it off, place the bowl inside the oven with the door cracked for about 15 minutes, then close the oven door and continue to let it rise for the whole 2 hours. If your house is warm, you can just use the counter.
- About a half hour before the rise time is done, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (if you used your oven to help the dough rise, remove the bowl before preheating) and place your dutch oven inside the oven, with the lid on, while the oven preheats. We want the dutch oven HOT when the dough goes in! Once the oven preheats, leave it in there for another 10-15 minutes, until your dough is ready to be transferred in.
- Prepare the dough: Place a large square of parchment paper on a counter and sprinkle it with flour. Using a spatula, transfer the dough to the floured surface as one big blob.
- Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough, and use a spatula to gently fold the dough on top of itself (see photos above in post) about 4-6 times.
- Gently shape it into a round loaf type shape in the center of the parchment paper (it doesn't have to be perfect at all), using lightly floured hands or the spatula. Be careful not to handle the dough too much or it will lose those wonderful air pockets. If desired, cut several shallow lines using a sharp, serrated knife.
- CAREFULLY remove the HOT dutch oven and remove the lid using oven mitts. Using the parchment paper, place the dough inside the dutch oven and place the lid back on. You will cook it with the parchment paper, and it's okay if a little bit sticks out of the lid.
- Place the dutch oven back in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the lid (with oven mitts!) and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove the dutch oven from the oven, and transfer the bread to a cutting board to cool for about 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
- Keep the bread covered at room temperature for 2-3 days, or a little longer in the refrigerator. It also freezes well!
Notes
- No dutch oven? Bake the dough right on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a preheated cast iron skillet instead. It won’t get quite as crispy on the outside, but it works.
- Make ahead option – Let the dough rise for 2 hours, then bake it or wrap it in plastic and keep it in your fridge for up to 7 days before baking.
- Freezer safe – The bread freezes well. Simply wrap it well and freeze once it’s baked and cooled. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Yeast – You can use regular active yeast, just make sure it doubles in size before baking.
This dough was so sticky I had to scrape it out of the bowl. It stuck to the parchment paper and could not be flipped. I ended up adding enough flour so it could be handled and then did a second rise. I think the flour measure should probably be 4-4&1/2 cups.
From the pictures above the recipe, it looks like you are not supposed to flip the dough and remove the parchment paper. Simply lift the dough into the pot with the parchment paper still intact on the bottom, and bake.
That is correct. You never need to flip the dough.
My first time baking bread, I’m at the rising stage, I am hoping it comes out like the reviews say. I’ll let you know. Thanks so much for the recipe. I’ve used several other of your recipes and they have all come out wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m anxious to try your bread recipe but I’m wondering what is the best size dutch oven to use for this amount of dough? I have various sizes of dutch ovens ranging in size from 2.7qts to 6 qts, and I would like to make a loaf with some height to it.
Hi Ethel. You’ll love the bread recipe! 6 quart is the best size Dutch oven to use, but this bread will likely work in one a bit smaller, a 4.5 quart size. Happy baking!
Delicious bread! I added flax seeds to mine.
This bread is so easy and so good. I have made it 2 times this week!! The smell when it is rising and cooking is fabulous. Love it.
Thank you for sharing the recipe !
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You bet, Tamyra! Baking bread is one of the best aromas ever! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and feedback! Happy cooking to you!
First time I’ve attempted bread in years. This was so simple and easy and the bread came out beautifully! Thanks for the recipe.
You are welcome, Julie! I’m so glad you tried the bread, and that it turned out wonderful for you! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review and feedback!
Thanks so much for the recipe! My family is used to eating Acme Bread Co. loafs (a fantastic local bread company here in the San Francisco Bay Area) when we want a good crusty bread and this was very satisfying to make. Excellent crust, great crumb structure, dense without being chewy, and perfect for toast, sandwiches, or just eating hot from the oven with butter!
My bread turned out sooo good! I’ve never baked bread in the Dutch oven before so I was intimidated by it but it was so easy!
Hi Annie. How wonderful that you found the bread easy to make, as well as delicious! Two of my goals! Thanks for taking time to share your wonderful review and feedback!
Beautiful loaf of bread. And I didn’t follow instructions. I kneaded at mix time. So excited, many thanks & gratitude.
I have a friend from Germany who yearns for a taste of the delicious crusty rolls she grew up with. I have been making her the overnight casserole bread for some time, but the other day while making a recipe from your site, saw a link for 2 hour rise casserole bread. Decided to give it a try. Well…!!!!!…..she says its the best yet….nearly a perfect match for her beloved german rolls, crispy on the outside and tender inside. Its really nice to be able to make the bread and eat it the same day, so thank you for this recipe from my firend and myself.
Im so grateful for your recipes, I make quite a few each month but this was my first time trying Dutch Oven bread and I loved it! It’s incredibly easy and looks fabulous! Like something you see in an artisan bakery window, I can’t believe I made this! Thank you!
You are welcome, Jen! I also am in awe of how beautiful this bread always turns out! I appreciate you using my recipes! Thanks for the awesome review and feedback! Happy cooking!
This was my very first time attempting to make homemade bread. It turned out great and was easier than I expected! I used instant yeast and followed the recipe exactly. I will be making this on a regular basis from now on since everyone in my family is bread lovers. Thank you for another awesome recipe, Nora! It’s delicious and I love all the air pockets too.
You are welcome, Julia! I know what you mean about the air pockets – yumm!! I’m thrilled you loved the bread and will be making it often! Thanks for your fabulous feedback and review!
Love this recipe, so easy & delicious.
Just making 2 yo go with out pumpkin, leek & ginger soup for tonight’s meal 😋
Sounds delicious, Faye! I’m thrilled you are loving the bread. Thanks for sharing your awesome feedback!
I LOVE this recipe so much and make it all the time! I often make it with half whole wheat flour and it turns out fine. For the rise, I put it in my oven (heat off, oven light on). I cover it with a damp tea towel that’s moist enough to keep the bread from drying out, but not dripping. I slash the dough with a very sharp knife before putting it in the oven, and it always turns out beautifully. The cute little loaves look like something you’d get from a bakery. It goes together so quickly you can easily make a loaf to have with dinner without too much planning.
Hi Jackie. I love how easy this comes together as well! Thanks for your encouraging comments, and your fabulous review! Wishing you lots of happy cooking!
Great recipe! I was wondering if I could use bread flour or whole wheat flour next time?
I think bread flour will work well, and probably whole wheat. Whole wheat will make it taste very much like, well, whole wheat. 🙂
I’ve made this many times- so good!
I find though that the top starts to brown really quickly/almost get burnt shortly after removing the lid and needing to continue to cook for 10-15 more minutes. Any suggestions?
I’m happy you’ve been enjoying the bread! You could try turning down the temperature by 25 degrees while baking; perhaps your oven runs a bit hot. Or just remove the lid the last 5 minutes of baking instead.
Point of clarification please…
I just got a new Dutch oven and really want to try this recipe but I’ve read online (and the Lodge info sheet) to never heat an empty Dutch oven.
So, you really can just put the Dutch oven in the oven and pre-heat it as the oven pre-heats? No oil or butter added?
Thanks for the info.
Hi there, if the information on your dutch oven says never to heat it empty, then I would not to be safe. You don’t have to preheat the oven, just put the bread in the room temperature dutch oven, then bake. I think it will be fine that way. I’ve never personally had an issue with preheating mine though.
Hoping GF flour would work as well curious to hear – thanks!
Has anyone tried this with gluten free flour? Thanks!
I haven’t tried this recipe with GF, but I have done others. For yeast breads, you’ll want an all-purpose GF flour, not a 1:1, for every cup of flour use a heaping teaspoon of xanthan gum. It should work fine.
Have you tried GF flour yet? I may try. I wonder if I should add cat gem gum?
Xanthan gum! Crazy autocorrect!
Thank you for such an easy recipe. I’m on my fourth loaf. I’ve found the bottom is perfect if I leave the Dutch oven in for preheating but no longer. So good!!
I used whole wheat flour and bread came out perfect! Thank you so much.
Can you freeze the bread dough without baking??
I’ve never tried it, but it should work fine.