1. Mix the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast until combined.
- Pour in the warm water, and use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until they form a sticky dough. Don’t worry if it looks rough—that’s normal for a no-knead bread dough.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for 12-18 hours. This long rise time allows the dough to develop flavor without kneading.
2. Shape and Prepare the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, it should look bubbly and have doubled in size. Lightly flour a work surface and gently scrape the dough out of the bowl onto it.
- With lightly floured hands, fold the dough a couple of times to shape it into a rough ball. You don’t need to knead it—just fold it over itself a few times.
- Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper (this will make it easier to move later).
3. Heat the Oven and Dutch Oven
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a Dutch oven (or any heavy pot with a lid) in the oven as it heats. The pot should be preheated for about 30 minutes to ensure it’s hot when you place the dough inside.
4. Bake the Bread
- Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven, and using the parchment paper, lift the dough and place it in the pot.
- Cover the pot with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the crust to turn a beautiful golden brown.
5. Cool and Enjoy
- Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a cooling rack. Let it cool completely before slicing for the best texture.
Storage Tips
Store the bread in a paper bag or wrapped in a kitchen towel to maintain its crust. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days. Alternatively, you can slice and freeze it, and just pop slices in the toaster as needed.
This no-knead bread recipe is about as cheap and easy as it gets, and the long rising time brings out a wonderful depth of flavor. Enjoy!