I love the smell of no-knead bread baking in the oven. It starts in the kitchen and slowly moves through the house, room by room, until everything feels warmer. I always notice it first when I walk past the hallway and catch that soft, yeasty smell hanging in the air.
Then the loaf comes out of the oven. Ahhhh. Golden on top, warm to the touch, and crackling just enough as it cools. Slicing that first piece while it is still warm never gets old. Add a little butter and watch it melt straight into the bread. One bite, and it all feels right.
No-knead bread gives you that moment without a lot of work. You mix the dough, let it rest, and trust time to do what hands usually do. No flour everywhere. No tired arms. Just a simple loaf that makes the whole house smell like home.
Simple No-Knead Homemade Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 1½ cups warm water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
- Add the warm water and mix until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and let it sit at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours, or overnight.
- Once risen and bubbly, gently turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a loose round. Do not knead.
- Place the dough on parchment paper and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven with the lid inside to heat for 30 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the dough, parchment and all, into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid.
- Bake for 30 minutes, covered, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until golden.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and adding butter.
Why No Knead Bread Belongs in Your Kitchen
No-knead bread feels slow in the best way. It fills the house with warmth, pulls people toward the kitchen, and turns a simple day into something memorable. And once you realize how easy it is, you will reach for this recipe again and again. For more bread recipe ideas, check out King Author Bread Company bread recipes.
