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No-Knead Artisan Bread for Quick and Easy Recipes That Feel Like Magic

There’s something about fresh bread that makes a home feel warmer, like a cozy blanket fresh out of the dryer. This no-knead artisan bread is one of those quick and easy recipes that sneaks into your weekly routine, then never leaves. We’re talking golden crust, a chewy middle, and flavor that makes you want to tell your toaster, “Not today.” I’ve made this bread in my pajamas, between Zoom calls, and while my kid was finger-painting the dog. It still worked. Whether you’re new to baking or just hate sticky dough clinging to your knuckles like an annoying little barnacle, this recipe won’t betray you. No kneading. No fancy machines. Just a bowl, a spoon, and a bit of patience. It’s the perfect match for cheesey potatoes, a pot of chili, or just slathered in butter with a side of quiet. You’ll use it for sweet easy recipes, serve it with rotisserie chicken, and maybe sneak a bite when you’re making air fryer cookies. Because once it cools, it’s fair game. Let’s make some bread.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time12 hours
Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer cookies easy recipes, cheesey potatoes easy recipe, easy recipes for dinner, easy recipes with rotisserie chicken, homemade pretzels soft easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, sweet easy recipes
Servings: 1 loaf
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for shaping)
  • 2 teaspoons instant or rapid rise yeast
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

Instructions

  1. In a big mixing bowl, stir together the flour, yeast, and salt.
  2. Pour in the lukewarm water and mix with a wooden spoon until it looks shaggy and messy. That’s perfect.
  3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit on your counter for 2–3 hours, or up to 12 hours if life happens.
  4. When you’re ready to bake, sprinkle flour on a clean surface and gently tip the dough out. Don’t punch it down.
  5. Shape it into a round-ish blob (rustic is good), then let it rest while the oven preheats.
  6. Place a heavy pot with a lid (like a Dutch oven) in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) for 30 minutes.
  7. Carefully place the dough into the hot pot. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove the lid and bake for another 10–15 minutes to crisp up that golden crust.
  9. Take it out, listen to the crackle, and try—just try—not to slice it before it cools a bit.