Foolproof 4-Ingredient Artisan Bread (No Knead!)
If you’ve ever wanted that crusty, golden bakery-style loaf straight from your own oven, this 4-ingredient artisan bread is the one.
It’s chewy, soft inside, and crackly on the outside, with zero kneading and minimal effort. All you need is flour, yeast, salt, and water — that’s it!
This recipe is perfect for busy days when you still want something homemade and comforting. Mix it at night, bake it the next day, and your kitchen will smell like a fresh bakery.
Here’s What You Need:
3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chew)
2 tsp salt
½ tsp instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
1½ cups (360 ml) warm water (about 105–110°F)
How to Make it:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and stir until it forms a sticky dough. It’ll look rough — that’s okay! Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
2. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 12–18 hours, or until doubled and bubbly on top.
3. Lightly flour your counter and hands. Scrape out the dough, fold it over itself a few times, and shape into a rough ball. Place it on a sheet of parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let it rest 30–45 minutes while the oven preheats.
4. Place a Dutch oven (with lid) inside your oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.
5. Carefully place the dough (on the parchment) into the hot Dutch oven.
Bake 30 minutes covered, then remove the lid and bake 10–15 minutes uncovered, until golden brown and crisp.
6. Transfer to a rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This helps the inside finish setting.
How to Store Artisan Bread
Room Temperature (1–2 days):
Wrap in parchment paper or a clean kitchen towel, then place in a paper bag or bread box. Avoid plastic bags because they make the crust soft.
Freezer (Up to 3 months):
Cool completely, wrap in parchment, then foil, and store in a freezer bag. To serve, thaw at room temperature and warm in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes.
Tips for Success
Use warm water (not hot) so the yeast activates properly.
Whole-wheat flour can replace up to ½ cup of the all-purpose for a heartier loaf.
If you accidentally pull it out a few minutes early, just bake uncovered for 5–10 minutes to re-crisp the crust.
Why You’ll Love It
This is the kind of recipe that feels fancy but takes almost no work. A few ingredients, a little patience, and you’ll have a rustic loaf perfect for soups, stews, sandwiches, or just butter and honey.
4-Ingredient Artisan Bread (No Knead)
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Storage
- Room Temp (1–2 days): Wrap in parchment or a towel and keep in a paper bag or bread box.
- Freezer (up to 3 months): Wrap in parchment, then foil, and store in a freezer bag. Reheat at 350°F for 5–8 min to refresh.
Tips
- Use warm, not hot, water to activate yeast.
- Whole-wheat flour can replace up to ½ cup for a heartier loaf.
- If underbaked, return to the oven uncovered for 5–10 minutes to crisp.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
1372Fat
4 gSat. Fat
1 gCarbs
287 gFiber
11 gNet carbs
276 gSugar
1 gProtein
40 gSodium
4677 mgCholesterol
0 mg
