No Knead French Bread

Discover the art of effortless baking with this No Knead French Bread recipe—perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike! This rustic, artisan-style loaf features a soft, airy interior and a golden, crispy crust, all achieved without the need for traditional kneading. With just four simple ingredients—flour, instant yeast, salt, and warm water—this recipe relies on a long rest time to develop incredible flavor and texture. The dough is baked in a preheated Dutch oven, creating a professional-quality crust that's sure to impress. Perfect for pairing with soups, stews, or as a canvas for your favorite spreads, this homemade French bread is as versatile as it is delicious. With minimal effort and maximum reward, it's a must-try for anyone looking to make bakery-quality bread from the comfort of their kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:300 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:330 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1.5 cups Warm water (110°F/45°C)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 2

Gradually add the warm water to the dry mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. The dough will be sticky, which is normal.

Step 3

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest and rise at room temperature for 4 to 5 hours. During this time, the dough should double in size and become bubbly on the surface.

Step 4

After the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven or a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid inside the oven to preheat for at least 30 minutes.

Step 5

While the oven and pot are heating, prepare a sheet of parchment paper. Dust it lightly with flour, and carefully transfer the sticky dough onto the parchment. Use floured hands or a dough scraper to gently shape the dough into a round or oval loaf. Take care not to deflate it too much.

Step 6

Using a sharp knife or a bread lame, score the top of the dough with a few shallow cuts to allow for expansion during baking.

Step 7

Once the Dutch oven is preheated, carefully remove it from the oven (it will be extremely hot). Transfer the parchment paper with the dough onto the preheated pot. Cover with the lid.

Step 8

Bake the bread, covered, for 25 minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.

Step 9

Remove the pot from the oven and transfer the bread to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing.

Step 10

Serve fresh with butter, olive oil, or your favorite spread. Enjoy your homemade no-knead French bread!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	795.9 grams (795.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1541

Total Fat 4.30g	6%
Saturated Fat 0.60g	3%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4728mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 322.20g	117%
Dietary Fiber 12.50g	45%
Total Sugars 0.90g
Protein 45.00g	90%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 59mg	5%
Iron 20mg	109%
Potassium 494mg	11%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.6%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 85.5%