3 Minutes No Knead Bread Without Dutch Oven
This post on the no knead bread without dutch oven was initially published on the 4th of January 2021.
When it comes to gluten-filled items, this household is king. Even the cat, TJ, is addicted to gluten. And while his own breed might justify that, we justify it by the fact that we absolutely love gluten. And we love bread. So it was bound to happen that we’d find a recipe for bread that won’t take a lifetime to create, especially this no knead bread without dutch oven.
This recipe for the no knead bread without dutch oven is not ours, but in a way, we have made it so. First off, we were introduced to this artisan bread recipe by a good friend of ours. And we were pretty elated to know that this no knead bread without dutch oven would take a total of 3 minutes to whip up. The original recipe we used is from Recipe Tin Eats, but I am sure you all know about the multitude of versions available online. But let’s step back a second.
Anna is a good friend from when we used to work together. She moved with her partner to Brittany a few years ago when Brexit was still a distant nightmare. Since living there, they have been cooking up a storm. And this no knead bread without dutch oven came highly recommended because of how quick it is to make. So, of course, we had to try it. And we made sure you could do this no knead bread without dutch oven too. Because not everyone does have one.
The 4 ingredient no knead bread without dutch oven situation
Of course, when you mention no-knead I am all over the place with doubts. And I tend never to trust recipes like this. Yet I must admit this one not only works, but it is also brilliant and oh, so tasty!
To put things into perspective, we have made this bread pretty much every day during lockdown one, when everyone was busy with sourdough and banana bread. It’s meant to last a day or two. But it never gets to the next day in our house because we are addicted to it. And this no-knead bread recipe is perfect even if it’s your first time making bread, rest assured!
And this no knead bread is just perfect, not only because you can make it quickly, but also because it’s extremely tasty. Using a dutch oven will help you with the crust, of course, but we have a couple of secrets right up our sleeve that will make you a pro at bread without one. And if everything else fails, this no-knead bread turns into a beautiful focaccia anyway – so keep that olive oil on hand!
As I was growing up, I was never a fan of bread. Yes, you read that right. And I am not sure whether that’s just something I can blame on my parents or not. Basically I was made to eat bread with anything that was not pasta. Not sure as to why and what not, but of course I developed a hatred that is very similar to the one of salad. I cannot take enough of this no-knead bread though, I swear. The smell, the crunch – too good for words.
What is the deal with no knead bread?
The no-knead bread method was first reintroduced in 2012 by a man named Jim Lahey and included in his book My Bread from the same year. The actual recipe and idea though is as old as it gets! While the ratio of ingredients has stayed very similar through the many versions created since, the difference rests in the raising process.
Firstly, the whole point of Jim’s recipe is the raising takes 12 to 18 hours after mixing. We have gone for that second wave of shorter, faster raising. While the longer raising time helps with the development of flavour, we are happy with a quicker option. Yes, flavour is important of course. But we are not working with sourdough so we are happy to go like this.
How can I make this bread without a dutch oven?
The secret here is very easy. What you don’t have – a dutch oven, in this case, for your no knead bread without a dutch oven – won’t hurt you. If you don’t know it, then how can you miss it? Any pan will work here, of course. The no-knead bread is very much versatile in that sense, we have found.
From using a dutch oven, to a normal cake pan, baking tray, cast iron pan, or even a pizza stone if that’s something you have. Our secret to a brilliant crust even when no dutch oven is in sight is to fill a pot with water and put it below the pan you have picked for your bread. Then as it cooks, make sure you check on the water level so that there is always some as it bakes.
The only reason why you would cover the bread is to create steam. This is what will give you that beautiful crust you will not be able to stop thinking about. Instead of a lid, you can use some tin foil to cover the bread up. Make sure, as you follow the no knead bread without dutch oven recipe, that you remove the foil once the recipe says to remove the lid.
Can this be only turned into bread?
Not at all, no! This no-knead bread dough works brilliantly as a focaccia, for a starter. Lashing it in olive oil and coarse sea salt, but also some fresh rosemary makes the perfect focaccia. If you are feeling adventurous, cherry tomatoes and some crumbled feta also go extremely well! We have yet to try some buns, but I am sure you’ll be able to do anything your mind can think of. Just let your imagination run wild, because this dough it’s extremely easy to use and you won’t regret trying it out.
If you are after an easy dutch oven bread pudding, then look no further because this is the one to try!
What ingredients do I need to make this no knead bread without dutch oven?
4 ingredients is all you need for this no knead bread without dutch oven, and most of them are pretty much constantly in your pantry. First off, flour. You will need strong bread flour for this, but I guess whatever you have on hand might also work like all purpose flour. Then it’s instant yeast, of course, and salt. And lastly, water. Just plain, warm water. You do not have to prep anything other than these, no mixing of yeast, absolutely nothing.
How do I prepare this no knead homemade bread without dutch oven?
Well, the name says it all, right? It’s a 2 hour no knead bread without dutch oven after all! Put all your ingredients in a bowl (no standing mixer required here!) and combine well with a wooden spoon. Easy peasy. Once the ingredients are all well combined, you can cover the bowl and let the dough rise until doubled in size. This can take a couple of hours, but also less depending on how warm your kitchen is.
When you see the dough it’s fully risen, turn on the oven and let the pot you are going to be baking your bread in get very hot. This will take roughly 10-15 minutes since the oven comes to temperature.
Transfer the dough to the pot or pan covered in parchment paper, then bake the bread for 30 minutes covered, and the last 10 minutes uncovered. Let it cool down completely before serving and voila, you have a no dutch oven bread recipe around. Easy.
Ahead we go to prep the 3 minutes no knead bread without dutch oven then
3 Minutes No Knead Bread Without Dutch Oven
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Cooling Rack
- Mixing Bowl
- Pie Dish
- Round Baking Tray
- Spatula
- Tin Loaf
Ingredients
- 450 g strong bread flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 2-3 tsp salt
- 375 ml warm water
- Extra flour for dusting
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add the water and mix well using a wooden spoon until everything is combined.
- Cover with cling film and let it rise until it doubles in size – roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on how warm the spot is, make sure you keep an eye on it!
- Preheat the oven to 230°C, and make sure to include your pot or pan of choice in there to warm up as well.
- Now to shape the dough: sprinkle some flour on the work surface and move the dough from the bowl, then sprinkle it with some extra flour.
- Shape it with your hands to create a round, folding inwards to the middle of the dough, then flip it on some baking paper and shape further if needed. The less you work it, the better the result here.
- Once the pot is hot enough, remove it from the oven and use the paper to place the dough into it, then place a lid or aluminium foil over and bake for 30 minutes covered.
- After the 30 minutes are up, remove the lid or foil and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Let it cool completely on a rack before slicing – but a good 10 minutes could do, if you can’t wait.
Notes
- It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Nagi has a refrigerated version too on her website, it helps with developing flavour. Check that out if you intend to refrigerate the dough overnight.
- Nagi’s shaping process is slightly different from what I found to be working better for me, so you can also check that out on her website should you wish to.
We have been eating this for a few days now, making it every morning. We have also been thinking about some different things we want to try with it, including adding flavours with herbs and veg.
I also want to try out a focaccia-style baking prop for this same dough. But you’ll have to wait a little longer for it. This bread is perfect with peach curd, apricot jam or passion fruit curd. It would also be perfect for dipping in this whipped feta dip or making peach crostini.
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Once you try this no knead bread without dutch oven, you will absolutely adore it – there is no going back.
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Can i substitute this using whole wheat flour instead?
We haven’t tried it, but we don’t see why not!
Hi there! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I made it for the first time yesterday and the family loved it. My teen daughter texted me and said ‘I love your bread’ so there you go.
I wanted to ask – what if the dough’s rising slowly because room is not that warm – is it ok to leave it for say 3-4 hours on a slow rise? Or will that ruin the result somehow? Thanks again
Hey Mike
So glad you all loved this bread so much – we had to go on a cleanse to stop from eating it day in, day out! A slower rise it’s fine, it might take you longer for various reasons including the cold weather so not at all an issue! Just bear in mind it’s a fine line between a slow rise and being overdone, so always check it closely.
Thanks very much
Have been using this recipe every week for the family, and slicing and freezing for the week. They love it
Also sometimes add 2tsp finely chopped rosemary when mixing, then add a bit more rosemary and salt crystals when time to bake it
So so happy to hear that, Mike! If you want to make it into focaccia, it’s also a brilliant way to enjoy it with the rosemary, olive oil and flaky salt all over it!
As a bread lover, I will try your recipe. You clear my all doubts about no knead bread. It is quick healthy breakfast option for me. I love to share your recipe with my mom.
I hope both you and your mum will enjoy this recipe!
Salve ragazze, adoro il vostro blog! We should collaborate on something if you like! Great recipe and great photos! Claudia x
Ciao Claudia, I just emailed you xx
I am a BIG fan of bread so definitely trying this. A few questions: Can I use an oven safe glass dish? How high should the sides of the dish be?
Thanks
Hi Fabienne, thank you! You can indeed use an oven-safe glass dish. And because the dough it’s not liquid, it doesn’t really matter how high the sides are! Let us know what you think of it once you try it!
What a fantastic way to make bread! I tried to make my own bread before but failed terribly. Perhaps your method will help me make better bread. Yours looks delicious! xxx
Thank you Ashley x
This bread looks so delicious! I am such a sucker for fresh bread. How easy is this recipe! That is great! Thank you for sharing.m this recipe!
Lauren x
The best recipe!
My husband and I are baking on Thursday, and while it may only be cakes we were planning, I would LOVE to try something like this too!
Such a great bake!
I love bread and I don’t think I’d try to make it myself cause knowing me it wouldn’t work out! This no-knead bread does look great and I would definitely eat a slice or two! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Go for it Lucy!
This no knead break looks so yummy and easy to do. I cannot wait to give this recipe a try.
Thank you Riyah x
Oh wow… this bread doesn’t just look delicious. But it also look luxurious. Thank you for sharing this awesome-licious recipe, lovelies ^_^
Awww thanks Fadima x
I love bread but never actually tried making it myself. This recipe looks so delicious and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing! I am definitely attempting to make this bread.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
Thank you Antonia x
Oehhh this is perfect! To be honest, bread is not my specialty, but my boyfriend loves baking no knead breads, so I’m going to pass him this recipe! Nothing beats freshly baked bread for lunch 😍
Nothing!
Making bread, for me, is not an easy process. I have tried making bread many times and think I am getting better at it. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Seems a lot easier and I am sure it cost-effective. i purchased bread like this from Whole Foods Market for about $7.
So much cheaper to make it at home (if you don’t think of the energy cost!)
When I say I gasped at ‘I was never a fan of bread’ LOL!
I’m not the greatest bread maker but I’ll pin this to give it a try as it seems like an easy recipe to follow.
Kinsy, you will love it!
I’m definitely going to have to make some bread and add it to my bucket list! This looks actually quite delicious 😍
Thank you Willow x
This is awesome, it looks nice and I don’t know a lot about how to bake bread. However, I will share this with my family. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Fransic!
Love all the ideas and options included in the recipe. I’m so hungry for good bread now!!
Thankyou Tammy!
This sounds amazing! And we’re having a baking day on Thursday so I’m going to suggest this as something we can bake for my birthday!
Bread is better than cake!
Wow this looks so good! I love bread, but I’ve never tried making it before. Thank you for sharing x
This is the perfect starter recipe!
This looks so good! I can imagine eating this warm, with butter, soon after it’s out the oven! A really easy recipe to follow as well, which is great because I always thought making bread was really complicated x
The easiest recipe ever!
This sounds so yummy. I would have to make it gluten free though. It sounds so easy to make. Thank you for sharing another great recipe 😊
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
I’m sure it’s doable Natalie!
Wow, this looks delicious! I can’t believe it’s so simple to make. Last time I tried to make no-knead bread it was a complete disaster – I’ll have to give this recipe a try.
I hope you manage to make the perfect focaccia and share that recipe too. No surprise, mine was also a complete and utter disaster.
Oh no Nicole! This one dough can make the focaccia too – just let it rest in a rectangular tin, and once it’s doubled in size just smother with olive oil. Use your fingers to dab through the dough and then add the salt and any other spice/addition you might have like rosemary. It cooks for 25 minutes and it’s DIVINE.
No-Knead bread! I have to give this a try. Kneading is the reason I don’t make bread very often. It is such a pain. This sounds great! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Let me know if you try it Tiffany, it’s so easy and quick – you’ll love it x
I love it when friends recommend recipes to try out, it’s always been a great way to discover something new and delicious. I love making bread but one of the barriers to doing it is the kneading so this sounds like it would be ideal when I don’t want to do it, haha!
Ohhhh I hope you enjoy this Molly, it can’t be easier than this!
Stored for 3 months? Wow. This one is not my avenue so less know how on this. But of what I’ve seen, yes the kneeding processes are different you’re rightandthat also changes the shape. Good one. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://bit.ly/39f9FN0
Hi Isa,
That 3 months it’s for frozen storage only, the fresh product it’s to be consumed within a couple of days!
Oh wow this looks delicious! I have only made bread once before, but it was a long & complicated process (there were 3 flavors that I twisted together), but this looks so easy & I want to try making it!
Thank you Karalee – want to know more about your bread now xx
This looks so good! I am honestly bread obsessed, could genuinely eat just plain bread all day! We’ve tried a few recipes and they’ve mostly been disastrous, so will be saving this one to give it a go!
This one is fool-proof Nicci, it cannot go wrong! Let us know what you think x
This looks good. We have been doing a similar one but in how quick but will check this one out. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Fransic x
This looks delicious and you can’t beat the smell of freshly cooked bread xx
I love the smell of freshly cooked bread too! Ha! Thank you Della xx
What a nice recipe! I don’t have a machine to knead, so it’s always quite a big task,m. This looks like a great way to avoid all of that!
This will be absolutely effortless, Lisa – you’ll love it! x
Wow this looks delish! I will have to try to see if I can make a gluten free version. I haven’t tried to make my own bread yet, but I think it’s about time!
I am sure with GF flour & yeast you should be absolutely fine Ellie x
Okay, this looks delicious! I feel like the only person who hasn’t tried making bread themselves in the last year, but this looks like a good, simple starting place! I may just have to try ❤️
Meredith, this will be a walk in the park – it is an effortless loaf you’ll end up eating as it comes out of the oven, trust me x
I absolutely love making bread in lockdown so this looks right up my street! Thanks for sharing this recipe I’m sure so many will love it x
Thank you Kayleigh – the whole lockdown was either making bread or banana bread! Let us know if you try it x
oh my this looks absolutely delicious! I love fresh bread . . . definitely bookmarking this to try this weekend xx
Thank you Mia – it is so scrumptious! Let me know what you think x
My, this bread is making my mouth water! It has a beautiful golden top and, cut into, must have such a lovely crust! I love that it is only five ingredients too.
Thanks for sharing!
It is such a great bread, Jaya – you must try it!
This looks absolutely delicious. I tried making bread during the first lockdown and it was a complete fail but I’d love to have another go using this recipe.
Oh no, Kelly! Let me know what you think – it’s easy and so so tasty! x
Oooo this looks delicious! I love home made bread! Maybe I need to try this- haha!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Katie you really should – it’s effortless and oh so yummy xx
Oooo this looks delicious! I love home made bread!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
This one is soooo easy to make too! x
I love this post, it’s absolutely awesome! We’ve had so much fresh bread in the home, and I can’t wait to check out this recipe. Love your images too xx
Thank you ever so much Amy – you’re the best x
This looks so good! And so easy to make!
Thank you Toma x
Oooh this looks amazing! I’ve never made bread before so will definitely give this a go, now we’re back in lockdown!
Hey Ellie, lockdown only means one thing – homemade fresh bread! If you, like me, sourdough it’s not much of an option so this works wonderfully! x
That sounds delicious and so hearty for the winter. Thanks for sharing!
It would be so great with soup, right? x
This looks fantastic! I tried making fresh cinnamon rolls last week and it was the longest process! It scarred me from using yeast for a while haha! I adore fresh bread and will be trying this! Thanks for sharing Simona xo
Oh I would love a fresh cinnamon roll right now – they take so long though, you are absolutely right! This is such a simple recipe, Lynn, I am sure your fear of yeast will go! xx
Ohhhh, this looks so yummy! I’ve been making Katy Beskow’s Beer bread, which is even easier, but it doesn’t have a really good crust, so I really want to try this recipe now 🙂
I need to look into Katy’s Beer bread! Let me know if you try it and what you think of it x
I had no idea you could make something so tasty so easily! The end result looks absolutely delicious, I’m definitely bookmarking this to come back too. Great recipe 🙂
Thank you Anika – it is as tasty as it looks! Let me know once you try it what you think of it x
What a great and really easy recipe. I love fresh bread. Thank you for sharing this post. Happy new year, I wish you an amazing and successful year. Hopefully this year it will be a lot safer and happier for us all.
Lauren
Thank you Lauren – I wish you a great year as well, may it bring you love and health and everything you wish for x