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Artisan Bread Recipe

Artisan Bread Recipe

This Artisan Bread Recipe is the easiest way to make bakery-style bread at home with no kneading, no special tools, and only a few simple ingredients. With its golden crackly crust, soft airy interior, and rustic artisan look, this homemade loaf is perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. If you love bread recipes homemade, or you’re searching for the easiest bread recipe ever, this one-bowl method will quickly become your go-to.Whether you're pairing it with soups, dipping it in olive oil, or serving it for breakfast alongside cinnamon raisin bread or other baking recipes, this bread always delivers irresistible flavor and texture.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Rise Time: 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 1 artisan loaf
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • Optional add-ins:
  • ½ cup raisins + 1 tsp cinnamon for cinnamon artisan variation
  • Mixed herbs garlic powder, or seeds

Method
 

  1. Mix the Dough
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
  3. Add the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. The dough will look sticky — this is perfect for artisan bread.
  5. Long Rise (No Kneading!)
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel.
  7. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 12–18 hours until doubled and bubbly on top.
  8. The long fermentation creates the classic artisan texture.
  9. Shape the Dough
  10. Lightly flour your counter and turn out the dough.
  11. Gently shape it into a round loaf — do not knead.
  12. Place it on parchment paper and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  13. Preheat Your Dutch Oven
  14. Place a Dutch oven (with lid) inside your oven.
  15. Preheat to 450°F (230°C) for 30 minutes.
  16. Bake the Bread
  17. Carefully lower the dough (on parchment paper) into the hot Dutch oven.
  18. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
  19. Remove the lid and bake an additional 12–15 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden.
  20. Cool & Serve
  21. Transfer the loaf to a cooling rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing to maintain the soft interior structure.

Notes

Make it cinnamon raisin: Add ½ cup raisins + 1 tsp cinnamon during the mixing stage.
Crispier crust: Spray the dough lightly with water before baking.
No Dutch oven? Use a heavy oven-safe pot with lid or place a baking tray with water on the oven floor to create steam.
Storage:
Room temp: Cover loosely and store up to 3 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.
For extra flavor: Replace ¼ cup of water with milk or add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.