No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread
A simple, rustic yeast bread with a crisp golden crust and airy crumb, made without kneading for easy home baking. This australian-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, instant yeast, 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 yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 80°F)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt; stir well to evenly distribute the yeast and salt.
- Step 2: Pour in 1 1/2 cups of warm water (approximately 80°F) and stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms with no dry flour visible.
- Step 3: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 18 hours, until bubbly and doubled in size.
- Step 4: After fermentation, dust a work surface with flour and turn out the dough carefully; fold it over itself once or twice then shape it into a rough ball, keeping the dough loose and airy.
- Step 5: Place the dough ball on a piece of parchment paper, cover with a clean towel, and let it rest for 1 hour at room temperature while you preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Step 6: Place a heavy Dutch oven with its lid inside the oven and preheat for 30 minutes to get the pot scorching hot.
- Step 7: Using oven mitts, carefully remove the Dutch oven, lift the dough with the parchment paper, and place both inside the pot; cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- Step 8: After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake the bread uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and crackly.
- Step 9: Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing to preserve the airy crumb.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 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 Crusty Artisan Bread?
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 Crusty Artisan Bread?
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 Crusty Artisan Bread 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.
Is No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
