🕒 Total Time: ~3.5 to 4 hours (mostly resting/rising)
Hands-on Time: ~15 minutes
Yields: 1 large loaf
✅ Ingredients
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp instant yeast (or active dry yeast*)
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) warm water
- Optional: 1 tbsp olive oil for flavor
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds, sea salt, herbs
If using active dry yeast, dissolve in the warm water and let sit 5–10 min before mixing.
🔧 Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe pot with lid
- Parchment paper (recommended)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Mix the dough (5 minutes)
In a large bowl, stir together:
- Flour
- Salt
- Instant yeast
Add warm water (and olive oil, if using). Mix with a spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. No kneading needed.
Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, until doubled and bubbly.
2. Shape the dough
- Dust a clean surface with flour.
- Scrape the dough onto it, flour your hands, and gently shape it into a round or oval loaf.
- Let it rest for another 30–40 minutes while you preheat the oven.
3. Preheat the oven
- Place a Dutch oven (with lid) inside the oven.
- Preheat to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes. This helps create that crispy crust!
4. Bake the bread
- Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven.
- Place the dough on parchment paper and lower it into the pot.
- Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
Then:
- Remove the lid and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
5. Cool and serve
- Remove bread from the pot and let it cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
