Quick No-Knead Bread

Quick No-Knead Bread

Ever since we started milling flour, we've been searching for an easy bread recipe that makes you feel like a baking pro in less time, and with guaranteed results. We've experimented with the popular no-knead method here, bringing you a delicious and satisfying loaf that is ready in just hours and is tailor-made for use with our freshly milled flour. Experiment with different flours to make it your own, but we suggest always sticking with a base of at least 75% Flourist Sifted Red Spring Wheat Flour for best results. 

A Dutch Oven is required for this recipe, and we are loving this Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It is far less expensive than most other brands and works like a charm. 

Quick No-Knead Bread 
2 cups lukewarm water
1/4 teaspoon instant or other active dry yeast
3 scooped cups or 510 grams Flourist Sifted Red Spring Wheat Flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt 
Additional flour for dusting

The Dough
Start by adding the lukewarm water to a mixing bowl. The temperature here is important, as the correct water temperature will ensure the quick activation of the yeast. If you have a thermometer, the ideal temperature is 78F degrees or so. If you do not have a thermometer, then use the 'child's bath' rule: the water should be barely warm to the touch, but not too warm. 

Add the yeast to the lukewarm water and stir. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to dissolve. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and salt. After 5 minutes, simply add the flour and salt mixture to the yeasted water and stir. This is easiest to do with your hands to ensure the dough comes together quickly. Mix the dough quickly to ensure it is well mixed, but stop mixing once the dough forms a shaggy ball and is no longer sticking to the side of the bowl. It will be very wet. Place the shaggy dough in the centre of the bowl and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Set the covered bowl aside to rise for 4 hours, or until it is ready to bake, up to 6 or 8 hours*. 

You will know when the dough is ready as it will have visibly risen to cover the lower portion of the bowl, and will be sticking to the sides. The dough should also have visible air bubbles. 

*Fluctuating temperatures of the room and the water can affect rising time and this is a flexible component of the method.



To Bake 
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 450 degrees. Once the oven reaches temperature, place the empty dutch oven into the oven and heat for 30 minutes. 5 minutes before the 30 minutes is up, prepare the dough. Remove the dough from the bowl with your hands and place onto a lightly floured surface. Add some flour to the loaf for shaping. Using your hands, gently form the dough into a round loaf, using gentle 'pulls' to form a smooth, round loaf. The loaf should become smooth and round. Dust with additional flour. 

Using oven mitts, very carefully remove the hot dutch oven from the oven. Open the lid and dust the bottom of the dutch oven with a small amount of flour. Using your hands, very carefully pick up the loaf and place it in the dutch oven (being very careful not to make contact with the hot dutch oven!). Place the lid on the dutch oven and return to the 450-degree oven. Bake for 38 minutes without peeking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before devouring. The rise on this loaf will be about 3.5 4 inches high. 

← Older Post Newer Post →

Comments

  • A note about chewy bottoms. This has happened to me when I’ve let the bread cool in the pot, rather than immediately pull it out to cool on a rack.

    Heidi Croot on
  • Hi VJ, I’m not exactly sure what you mean by chewy! Was the loaf perhaps under baked? If you can email us at info@flourist.com we can better help you!

    alessandra on
  • Hi there,

    I followed the recipe & instructions & the bottom of the bread, especially the crust was chewy. Could I have overworked the dough?

    VJ on
  • Hi Vita!

    I would definitely suggest increasing the time for the bake. If you have a thermometer the best way to check for doneness is to see what the internal temperature of the loaf is. The temperature should be at least 200°F.

    Alessandra Percival on
  • Made this bread today – followed the recipe to a T, gorgeous, aromatic, all great, but a bit raw (wet) in the middle. I understand that each oven is calibrated differently. Should I increase the time of baking?

    Thank you very much!

    Vita on
  • For your no knead bread, since you are out of the flour in the recipe is there a four I can substitute for it? I have all purpose and your spelt flour.

    Kim Jensen on
  • Hi Corinne! The dough should not be too sticky ~ it should be workable and may stick a little to your hands. Did you use a scale to ensure you had the right amount of flour? This could contribute to an overly sticky dough. We recommend going through the steps posted in our Facebook Bakers Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/flouristbakingclub//. It could help! Let us know!

    Shira McDermott on
  • Yikes! followed the directions. When mixing dough was very wet & stuck heavily to the bowl. When I dumped it out onto a floured surface it stuck like glue to the bowl, my hands & countertop, despite copious additions of flour. Did I do something wrong? Is this how it was supposed to be?

    corinne on
  • For those who after 44 years are now fully metricated, 2 cups is very close to 475 milliliters. Incidentally, for people interested, this produces a dough with a 93% hydration rate which is a very wet dough indeed (and is the secret to its success).

    Donald Thom on
  • Hello Jean! Thank you for your question – sorry for the delay! You can definitely use the Sifted Wheat Flour for this recipe! You can use any Dutch Oven for this recipe!

    Shira McDermott on

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

Leave a comment

Featured products


 
 
 

Recipes


Mezze Platter

Mezze Platter

French Lentil + Olive Salad

French Lentil + Olive Salad