This is a phenomenal bread recipe. The best, EASY yeast bread you will ever make, beginners love how simple it is while bread connoisseurs appreciate the Artisan bread qualities – the thick crispy crust and chewy crumb with big fat holes like sourdough!
No knead, 3 minutes active effort, very forgiving recipe. Make this today, then the Cheese Bread version tomorrow!

Phenomenal EASY yeast bread recipe
This is an extraordinary white bread recipe with outstanding results. While it’s easy and forgiving, making it suitable for beginners, experienced bakers will recognise and appreciate the Artisan bread characteristics – large holes in the crumb like your favourite sourdough bread with that signature chewiness, and a thick, crispy crust.
It’s a gold nugget recipe, and you may never buy bread again after trying this!
Here’s why it’s so easy:
No knead, no stand mixer
3 minutes active effort – you won’t even get your hands dirty
Dutch oven (cast iron pot) ideal but not necessary
Incredibly forgiving dough, with rise times ranging from 2 hours to 3 days (yes, really, you choose what works for you)
Easy but yet no compromise on quality of bread

What you need to make this homemade bread recipe
Here’s what you need to make homemade bread from scratch – yeast, flour, salt and water. Yep, really, that’s it!
No yeast?
Make this famous Irish Soda Bread instead, or this incredible No Yeast Sandwich bread based on the traditional Australian Damper!

Yeast – my base recipe uses Rapid Rise or Instant Yeast which does not need to be dissolved in water. But it works just as well with normal yeast (“Active Dry Yeast” or just “dry yeast”) – you just need to change the order of the steps and dissolve the yeast in water first. The bread comes out exactly the same!
Best flour for homemade bread – use bread flour if you can. Bread flour has more protein in it than normal flour which means more gluten, and this makes the dough more elastic and yields a more fluffy yet chewy texture inside the bread, as well as creating the big holes you see in the photos, like sourdough bread. However, this bread is still spectacular made with normal flour too!
How to make the world’s easiest homemade bread – Artisan style!
Here are process steps with tips, but also see the video below – super handy to see the dough consistency, and how to form the dough.
1. Make wet sticky dough

Mix together the flour, salt and yeast, then add warm water and mix. The “dough” will be very wet and sloppy, not kneadable at all – this is what you want! See video at 17 seconds for consistency.
2. Rise!

Cover with cling wrap then place it in a warm place (25 – 30°C / 77 – 86°F) for 2 hours. The dough will increase in volume by double or more, the surface will become bubbly and the dough will be wobbly, like jelly. See video at 24 seconds for consistency.
OPTIONAL – develop flavour: Once dough has risen, you can bake immediately. OR, for better flavour, refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, up to 3 days. Time = better flavour development.
Bread in photos and video were baked immediately. I usually make this dough in the morning, refrigerate all day then bake in the evening. Or make the dough in the evening, refrigerate overnight and bake fresh in the morning! (10 – 12 hours in fridge). Beauty of this bread is that you can bake anytime!
No dutch oven? No problem! Just bake it on a tray – see the recipe notes.
3. Preheat oven & pot

30 minutes before dough has risen, or while refrigerated dough is coming to room temperature, place dutch oven (cast iron pot) in the oven to preheat at 230°C/450°F.
Hot oven + hot pot = bread rising boost!
4. Scrape dough out

Scrape dough out of bowl onto floured work surface. It will be wet and sticky and that’s exactly what you want – because we will not be kneading it! In fact, you won’t even touch it with your hand.
PRO TIP: Dough handling and shaping technique devised to minimise addition of flour. Less flour = wetter dough = bigger air pockets, fluffier bread and more moist.
5. Shape the dough very roughly

Use a dough scraper or anything of similar shape (spatula, cake server, or large knife) to fold the sides in so it roughly resembles a round disc.
Don’t get too hung up on the shaping – you’ll deform it in the next step!! This step is mainly to deflate the dough.
6. FLIP dough upside down onto paper

Slide a large piece of baking / parchment paper next to the dough, then flip it upside down onto the paper using the scraper so the seams from the step above are face down, and you have the smooth side up.
Slide/push the dough into the centre, then briefly reshape it into a round or slightly oval shape.
Do not get too hung up on a neat shape – this bread is supposed to be rustic! Besides, scruffier shape = more awesome crispy ridges
7. Prepare to bake!

Remove very hot pot from oven, then use paper to pick up the dough and put it in the pot, and put the lid on.
See recipe notes for no dutch oven method.
8. Bake!

Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on (this creates a steamer effect, allowing the bread to rise while it cooks before crust sets), then 12 minutes with the lid off to brown and crisp up the crust. The surface will crack – and you want this, for extra crispy ridges!! And it looks authentic, just like the Artisan bread you buy at bakeries. 😇
Cool for 10 minutes before slicing. This is important – to let the centre of the bread finish cooking (if you slice too early, it will seem a bit doughy. Patience was never my greatest virtue, so I learnt this first hand!)
Remember – you can make this bread recipe WITHOUT a dutch oven!

Why this bread recipe works – and TIPS!
Loose, sticky dough = easier to rise than firmer dough.
No kneading = rough dough, but because the dough is so soft, it puffs up enough to “smooth out” the roughness.
Super forgiving dough – too stiff, add water. Too wet, add flour. Dough not rising? Move it to a warmer place. Takes 45 minutes to rise or 5 hours? It will still work. As long as your dough is the same consistency as what you see in the video and you let it rise to double the volume, this bread recipe will work as long as the yeast is not past its expiry date!
Why you need a preheated dutch oven for no knead bread recipes – to create a steamy environment to give the bread a rise boost before the crust sets (which stops the bread from rising). Professional bakeries are equipped with steam ovens – the cast iron pot is the home method!
Don’t have a dutch oven? No problem! Recreate the steamy environment by placing hot water in a pan in the oven, and bake the bread on a tray.
Big holes in the crumb – loose dough from less flour, high oven temp and preheated pot allows the yeast to give the bread a great rise boost, creating big air pockets. Also the use of bread flour rather than normal flour helps – you get less large holes using normal flour.
Bake immediately if it’s a bread emergency….
…but you’ll be rewarded with tastier bread if you leave the dough 8+ hours in the fridge! I normally make dough first thing in the morning (it takes 3 minutes!) then bake that night. Or make dough at night and bake in the morning. (~12 hrs in fridge for both scenarios)
Why refrigerating the dough creates a better tasting bread – because the fridge slows down the fermentation of the yeast (ie dough stops rising, if it kept rising it would kill the rising power of the yeast), allowing the enzymes in the yeast to do their work, transforming starch into sugar which creates a more flavourful bread. So we let the dough rise first, then refrigerate it.


All the ways to eat this bread!
Everything you do with bread you buy, you can do with this bread. It truly has the structure of bakery bread, so there are no limits!
Eat it fresh out of the oven, slathered with butter. Make sandwiches, toast it, mop plates clean, dunk it in soups and stews. Make bruschetta, garlic bread, grilled cheese, CHEESY garlic bread or Cheese and Garlic CRACK Bread!
I hope you enjoy this crusty bread recipe as much as I do. This really is one of those gold nugget recipes that you’ll make once and treasure forever! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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World’s Easiest Yeast Bread recipe – Artisan, NO KNEAD
Ingredients
- 3 cups (450g) flour , bread or plain/all purpose (Note 1)
- 2 tsp instant or rapid rise yeast (Note 2 for normal / active dry yeast)
- 2 tsp cooking / kosher salt , NOT table salt (Note 3)
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) very warm tap water , NOT boiling or super hot (ie up to 55°C/130°F) (Note 4)
Dough shaping
- 1 1/2 tbsp flour , for dusting
Instructions
- Mix Dough: Mix flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add water, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to mix until all the flour is incorporated. Dough will be wet and sloppy – not kneadable, but not runny like cake batter. Adjust with more water or flour if needed for right consistency (see video at 17 sec, Note 5).
- Rise: Cover with cling wrap or plate, leave on counter for 2 – 3 hours until it doubles in volume, it’s wobbly like jelly and the top is bubbly (see video at 24 seconds). If after 1 hour it doesn’t seem to be rising, move it somewhere warmer (Note 6).
- Optional – refrigerate for flavour development (Note 9): At this stage, you can either bake immediately (move onto Step 5) or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Take chill out of refrigerated dough – if you refrigerated dough per above, leave the bowl on the counter for 45 – 60 minutes while the oven is preheating. Cold dough does not rise as well.
- Preheat oven (Note 7) – Put dutch oven in oven with lid on (26cm/10" or larger). Preheat to 230°C/450°F (220° fan) 30 minutes prior to baking. (Note 8 for no dutch oven)
- Shape dough: Sprinkle work surface with 1 tbsp flour, scrape dough out of bowl. Sprinkle top with 1/2 tbsp flour.
- Using a dough scraper or anything of similar shape (cake server, large knife, spatula), fold the sides inwards (about 6 folds) to roughly form a roundish shape. Don’t be too meticulous here – you’re about to deform it, it’s more about deflating the bubbles in the dough and forming a shape you can move.
- Transfer to paper: Slide a large piece of parchment/baking paper (not wax paper) next to the dough, then flip the dough upside down onto the paper (ie seam side down, smooth side up). Slide/push it towards the middle, then reshape it into a round(ish) shape. Don't get too hung up about shape. In fact, lopsided = more ridges = more crunchy bits!
- Dough in pot: Remove piping hot dutch oven from oven. Use paper to place dough into pot, place lid on.
- Bake 30 minutes covered, then 12 minutes uncovered or until deep golden and crispy.
- Cool on rack for 10 minutes before slicing.
Recipe Notes:
- Fridge up to 3 days – Rise dough per recipe, then leave in bowl and refrigerate up to 3 days. Flavour gets better with time. Dough will stay bubbly for a day or two, then will deflate – that’s fine. Shape into round and place on paper per recipe, then leave for 45 – 60 minutes to take the chill out of it, then bake per recipe. Cold dough won’t rise as well.
- Bread in photos & video is 2 hr rise, immediate bake.
- Cooked bread – great fresh for 2 days, then after that, better warmed or toasted. Keep in an airtight container or ziplock bag. This stays more fresh than usual homemade bread, especially if you use bread flour.
- Freeze cooked bread for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
More bread recipes
Life of Dozer
Just keeping a close eye on it for me….

Good job Dozer. Here’s your treat. Look, I even buttered it for you! (PS He’s in his robe because it’s a rainy day yet I still took him to the beach!!!)

Hi, I don’t have a dutch oven, but I have a Pyrex with a glass lid, does it work or do I have to use your water technique? Thank you
Hi Sandra, I’ve had people tell me it has worked in Pyrex too! N x
I’d been reluctant to try baking bread, but after reading your “easy, no knead” recipe and seeing your mouth watering photos of that crusty, chewy bread, I had to try it. You weren’t kidding! This bread was amazing! My family devoured it! It was certainly the star of our shelter in place meal! Thank you, Nagi!
Wahoo, I’m so glad you gave it a go Ann!! N x
My bread sunk a bit in the middle….any ideas why….
HI Lindsey! Sounds like your oven runs cool unfortunately. Do you have a thermometer you can use to check the internal temperature of the oven? N x
This bread was fantastic! I added some whole linseeds, chia seeds and rye flakes, put it in the fridge overnight and baked it for lunch today … delicious! I might try adding some bigger seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) as well next time. I’m wondering if it would be possible to freeze the uncooked dough? Might have to give it a go …
Amazing! I made 3 loaves yesterday. Added rosemary and Parmesan to one which worked great.
Sounds fabulous Jetta! N x
The dutch oven method is genius. I made this recipe once (very nice) but over the course of the lockdown we have moved on to making awesome sourdough bread. The dutch oven method gives it the artisan baker crust!
Yes 100% Susi!! N x
My first attempt ever at baking bread, so the descriptions “suitable for beginners” and “forgiving” made me choose this recipe. It was so incredibly easy and it looks just like the pics here! It sliced perfectly, and tasted delicious. I can’t wait to make it again!
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Lori! N x
Hi Nagi, I’m in New Zealand and I found your recipes during our Covid-19 lockdown. We couldn’t get bread for a few weeks and we live in a tiny house, so baking bread with a lot of mess is just not very appealing. This recipe has been our saviour! I’ve probably made it about 10 times in the past month. I generally add very finally copped rosemary, which is great. I did try one loaf where I substituted 1 cup of flour for hemp flour/protein + hemp hearts. That one came out dense but very healthy tasting. 🙂 Oh, and I forgot to mention our oven is our BBQ! I have a loaf on the BBQ now, just about to pair it with your pumpkin lentil curry!
I was sceptical at first because from my understanding, yeast needs food which is sugar. Nevertheless, I gave it a try. AND it was a huge success. Just like how my family loved it, crust on the outside and chewy inside. THANK YOU 😍
WAHOO!!! That’s awesome Soh! N x
Hi Nagi, if I wanted to half the recipe for a bit less bread, how would this effect cooking time?
EDIT: For half the recipe I cooked it covered for 23 minutes and uncovered for the remaining 12 and it worked really well
This was fantastic! I only have all-purpose flour but I had vital wheat gluten in the freezer so I added a teaspoon of that. It was perfect.
That’s great to hear Lisa!! N x
Husband and I both loved the bread but have found when mixing ingredients together I have had to add more water than receipe states. Has anyone else?
Hi Janet, different types of flour have different water absorption percentages, so you may need to add a splash more. N x
Yes, I did. In fact, I then added too much but it still turned out great. Kind of like a Turkish bread?
Hi Nagi,
Thank you for making me the Iso-Breas maker extraordinaire that I never knew I could be haha!
Quick question I was wondering if I was to double the recipe to make a larger loaf would you suggest doubling the cooking times per the recipe?
Thanks so much lovely 😊
I’d like to try this but wonder if it would work in an 8″ cast iron skillet in the oven, using the water technique? Many thanks 🙂
Hi Catherine, yes that will work fine 🙂 N x
Thanks Nagi 🙂
Just. Wow. I have active dry yeast (as opposed to rapid rise), so I followed the instructions for that. I ended up refrigerating it for two days before I baked it today. It is beautiful. It actually looks like the pictures. I love the sturdy crust, and the interior has a wonderful texture. I buttered the slices generously a gave them a very light sprinkle of kosher salt. An eye-pleasing and delicious loaf of bread. Oh, and so easy! Thank you.
Wahoo, that’s great Deborah! N x
Made this bread and it is EXTREMELY good! Stays fresh for days and then really nice toasted. Next I’m going to try adding some wholemeal flour and see what happens. Thank you Nagi.
I’m so glad you love it Anne, that’s great to hear!! N x
I have never made bread and it turned out beautifully! I would love to be able to add seeds, would this change the instructions?
Hi Tammy, no just add them in with the flour 🙂 N X
I made this bread again this week and added diced kalamata olives to it. Absolutely fabulous, thank you.
YUUUM!!!
Im trying this now with turbo broiler instead of conventional oven. And instead of dutch oven, im using clay pot. Hope it turns out well 🤞☺️
Love to know how it goes Rochelle! N x
It turned out successful. Thank God I didnt ruin my new Japanese clay pot 😄 (my oven is busted so I had to use turbo broiler). My daughters loved the bread, I felt like a pro! Thank you for sharing 😄
Hi Nagi, I made this bread twice following your recipe and twice the bottom of the bread was glued to the parchment paper. How can I avoid this from happening? Many thanks in advance.
That shouldn’t happen Juhan. Maybe try another brand of parchment paper?
Hi Juhan, and you were using parchment and not waxed paper? N x
Hi Nagi,
The packaging says “Bakable. Food Grade. Grease Proof Baking Paper”.
It turned out successful. Thank God I didnt ruin my new Japanese clay pot 😄 (my oven is busted so I had to use turbo broiler). My daughters loved the bread, I felt like a pro! Thank you for sharing 😄
I used waxed paper and it got stuck at the bottom of the bread. 😕