Baking · serves 2

No-Knead Bread

Four ingredients, no kneading at all. Twelve hours of doing nothing.

90 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour or maida
  • 1/2 tsp instant yeast
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1.5 cups cool water
  • Cornmeal or flour to dust

Method

  1. Stir flour, yeast, salt and water into a wet shaggy mess. Twenty seconds with a spoon. That is all the mixing it gets.
  2. Cover and leave 12-18 hours at room temperature. Time replaces kneading — the gluten develops on its own.
  3. Tip onto a floured surface, fold it over on itself four times, shape into a rough ball. Rest 30 minutes.
  4. Put a heavy lidded pot in the oven and preheat to 230°C for 30 minutes. The pot must be screaming hot.
  5. Drop the dough in, lid on, 30 minutes. Lid off, 15 more.
  6. The lid traps steam, which is what gives the blistered crust. Cool completely before cutting.

Questions people ask about No-Knead Bread

How long does No-Knead Bread take?

About 90 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What is the one thing to get right in No-Knead Bread?

The lid traps steam, which is what gives the blistered crust. Cool completely before cutting.

What can I use instead of maida in No-Knead Bread?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make No-Knead Bread ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is No-Knead Bread vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

Do I need an oven for No-Knead Bread?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with No-Knead Bread?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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