No-Knead Overnight Bread: Easy and Flavorful Artisan Loaf

This no-knead overnight bread is a perfect recipe for anyone who loves fresh, homemade bread without the fuss of kneading. With a mix of bread flour and whole wheat flour, this loaf delivers great flavor and texture. Allowing the dough to rest overnight helps develop a deeper flavor, while baking it in a Dutch oven ensures a crispy crust and a tender crumb. Whether you’re making a small loaf or a larger one, this recipe is easy to follow and delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is all about simplicity and convenience. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a delicious, rustic loaf of bread without any kneading. The slow, overnight fermentation process enhances the flavor, making the bread taste richer and more complex. The result is a crusty, artisan-style loaf with a soft, airy interior. It’s perfect for those who want homemade bread with minimal hands-on time.

Perfect Occasion

This no-knead loaf is ideal for everyday use, whether you’re serving it alongside a meal, making sandwiches, or enjoying it toasted with butter. It’s also a great option for special occasions when you want to impress guests with homemade bread but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The simple method and overnight rest make it perfect for preparing the dough ahead of time and baking it fresh when you need it.

Decoration Tips

For a rustic, artisan look, dust the top of the dough with semolina or flour before baking. You can also experiment with different scoring patterns to create unique designs on the crust. If you like, sprinkle the loaf with seeds (such as sesame or poppy) before baking for added texture and flavor. The Dutch oven method ensures a beautifully crispy crust, so you won’t need much decoration—let the bread’s natural beauty shine!

Ingredients (Makes 1 Small Loaf):

• 175ml lukewarm water
• 3g yeast
• 145g bread flour
• 75g whole wheat flour
• 5g salt

Ingredients (Makes 1 Large Loaf or 2 Small Loaves):

• 325ml lukewarm water
• 3g yeast
• 300g bread flour
• 125g whole wheat flour
• 10g salt

Instructions:

1. Mix the Dough:
   In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm water and yeast. Stir to dissolve. Add the bread flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Using a spatula, mix the ingredients until a sticky dough forms. It will be quite wet, which is normal for no-knead dough.
2. Overnight Rest:
   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in the fridge to rest overnight. This slow rise helps develop the flavor.
3. Shape the Dough:
   After the overnight rest, generously dust your work surface with fine semolina or flour. Tip the dough onto the surface and shape it into a smooth ball. Be gentle with the dough to preserve the air bubbles that have formed during the rise.
4. Second Proofing:
   Place the shaped dough, seam-side up, in a proofing basket or a medium-sized bowl lined with a well-floured tea towel. Cover loosely and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. If you prefer a longer fermentation, you can refrigerate the dough for another hour or more, which will deepen the flavor.
5. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place a Dutch oven or heavy-duty oven-safe pot with the lid in the oven while it heats up. This will help trap steam during baking, giving the bread a nice rise and a crisp crust.
6. Prepare the Dough for Baking:
   Once the oven is preheated, carefully take the Dutch oven out and dust the top of the dough with a little flour. Use a sharp knife or bread lame to slash the top of the dough in a few places. This allows the dough to expand while baking.
7. Bake the Bread:
   Gently place the dough into the preheated Dutch oven, cover it with the lid, and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and continue baking for another 20 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Cool the Bread:
   Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool. Let it cool completely before slicing to ensure the best texture.

Enjoy!

This no-knead overnight bread is perfect for anyone who wants fresh, homemade bread with minimal effort. The slow rise and simple method deliver a flavorful, crusty loaf that’s ideal for any occasion. Enjoy it warm, fresh out of the oven, or toasted with your favorite toppings!