No-Knead Artisan Yeast Bread with Crunchy Crust
This simple no-knead yeast bread yields a golden crust and soft, airy crumb with minimal effort and ingredients. This australian-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, instant dry yeast, fine salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp fine salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon instant dry yeast, and 1 1/4 teaspoons fine salt. Stir to mix evenly.
- Step 2: Pour in 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/43°C) and use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir until a sticky, shaggy dough forms with no dry flour remaining.
- Step 3: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour until bubbles appear and the dough looks puffy.
- Step 4: After 1 hour, gently fold the dough over itself twice inside the bowl, cover again, and let rest for an additional 1 hour until doubled in size and bubbly.
- Step 5: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a heavy Dutch oven with its lid inside to heat for 30 minutes.
- Step 6: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven, dust your work surface with flour, and gently turn out the dough onto it. Shape it into a ball without kneading, tucking the edges under.
- Step 7: Place the dough ball inside the preheated Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Step 8: Remove the lid and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the crust is deep golden and crisp.
- Step 9: Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before slicing to allow the crumb to set.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Knead Artisan Yeast Bread with Crunchy Crust take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover No-Knead Artisan Yeast Bread with Crunchy Crust?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Knead Artisan Yeast Bread with Crunchy Crust?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Knead Artisan Yeast Bread with Crunchy Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with No-Knead Artisan Yeast Bread with Crunchy Crust?
Australian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
