Dutch Oven Bread Recipe
This Dutch Oven Bread recipe is easy and delicious. You can bake fresh bread at home with simple steps. The crust is crispy and golden. The inside is soft and fluffy. Making bread in a Dutch oven gives perfect results.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar for faster yeast activation
Instructions
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and yeast. Stir well to mix evenly before adding water.
Add Water
- Pour warm water into the dry mix. Stir gently with a spoon until dough forms and sticks together.
Let Dough Rest
- Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let dough rest at room temperature for 12–18 hours for best results.
Preheat Oven
- Place the Dutch oven in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) with lid on. This ensures even baking.
Shape the Dough
- Turn dough onto a floured surface. Shape into a round loaf carefully. Avoid pressing too hard.
Transfer to Dutch Oven
- Place dough on parchment paper. Carefully lift and put it into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with lid.
Bake the Bread
- Bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake 15 more minutes until crust is golden brown.
Cool the Bread
- Remove bread from Dutch oven. Place on a wire rack. Let it cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use a kitchen scale for accurate flour measurement.
- Do not rush resting time; long fermentation gives better flavor.
- Preheat Dutch oven to ensure crispy crust.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Let bread cool fully for better slicing.