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No Knead Italian Artisan Bread Recipe

4.5 from 83 reviews

This No Knead Italian Artisan Bread recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy homemade bread with minimal effort. Using a no-knead method, the dough is mixed gently and left to rise, resulting in a soft, sticky dough that bakes into a beautifully crusty artisan loaf. Ideal for beginners and bread lovers alike, this recipe offers a perfectly textured bread with a lovely golden crust and tender crumb.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup lukewarm water
  • 1 ⅛ teaspoon instant dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Dissolve the instant dry yeast and honey in ¼ cup of lukewarm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly, indicating that the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the remaining lukewarm water. Add the activated yeast mixture and stir gently until a soft and sticky dough forms.
  3. First rise: Cover the dough bowl with a damp cloth and leave it in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
  4. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking.
  5. Shape and bake the bread: Transfer the risen dough onto a floured baking sheet. Score the top of the dough lightly with a knife to allow steam to escape while baking. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for approximately 25 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
  6. Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set properly.

Notes

  • Ensure the water is lukewarm, around 100°F to 110°F (37°C to 43°C), to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Do not skip the resting time; allowing the dough to rise fully is critical for good texture and flavor.
  • Scoring the top helps the bread expand evenly during baking and gives an artisan appearance.
  • Use a wire rack to cool so the bottom of the bread does not become soggy from steam.
  • Store the bread wrapped in a cloth bag or bread box to maintain freshness.

Keywords: No Knead Bread, Italian Bread, Artisan Bread, Easy Bread Recipe, Homemade Bread