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!!!)

Thank you Nagi – this makes a fabulous recipe for breadsticks too. I part the dough in two, and bake one stick for today, and leave the other for tomorrow. Lots of great crust!
Hi Nagi, I have made your artisan bread twice now, the second time with wholemeal flour. Both times the bread was delicious, . Just wondering though if I can make this bread in a loaf tin so I get smaller slices and square in shape. Would so appreciate your feedback. Kind regards, Marianne Egling
I would also love to know if it’s possible to put in a loaf tin. I’d love to be able to use for square sandwiches in the kids lunchboxes!
Nagi, I LOVE this recipe! Have tried several during lockdown and yours works best! Thanks for keeping us inspired with your recipes 🙂
I’m using 350g white bread flour and 100g wholewheat and adding mixed seeds. My bread would behave great during the process, but still be quite damp on the inside when baked. For those of you with the same problem, try setting oven to 225 degrees C, baking with lid on for 35 mins and another 12 – 15 mins without lid. This makes it perfect for me in Europe!
So easy, so crusty, so light and fluffy! You have made all of my lockdown bread baking dreams come true!
Wahoo, this makes me SO happy Cathy!! Stay safe! N x
Hi Nagi, what would the result be like if I used half plain flour half bread flour?
Hi Lilian, that will be completely fine. Enjoy! N x
This bread is incredible! So much easier and tastier than traditional bread baking I love knowing I never have to knead bread again! I like the rustic look of the bread and the crust is really nice and chewy – just how I like it. I used stoneground white flour but might try with rye flour next!
Can this no knead recipe be adapted to use a sour bread starter instead of the yeast?
Hi, I have mad this bread many times with white flour and it is delicious. My dad has arthritis and cannot eat much white flour, does this recipe work with whole meal or grainy flour?
Thanks
Hi Fiona,
My second loaf was made with wholemeal flour and baked just as well as the white loaf. It was just as delicious. Give it a try!
Best damper style bread ever.!!
I’ve tried a lot of bread recipes, all of them typically call for a stand mixer and kneading. I was amazed at how easy (and forgiving) this recipe was to toss together and bake! For the loaf I baked yesterday, I’d let the dough (made with regular flour) sit in the fridge for 2 days. Turned out fantastic! My (very picky) kids said it was the best bread they’ve ever eaten!
Thank you so much, Nagi!
HI there. I’d like to have a go at making this. I am going to buy a dutch oven but I don’t know which size to get on amazon? How many litres for this size loaf? thanks, Cordy x
Hi Cordy, you can use a variety of sizes for this loaf – I would buy based on what else you’re planning on using it for and how many people you’re going to feed. A 26cm or 28cm is a good all round size for 4-6 people. N x
If there are Instant Pot fans among your readers, the yogurt setting is perfect for proofing loaf of bread. I bake bread 2-3 times a week. I can’t wait to try this one!
Fantastic tip Mary – thanks so much for sharing! N x
Hi,
I made the bread and the fish chowder and both were amazing! Easy too! Next I want to do the bread with cheese. Can I leave the dough in the fridge with cheese for 2 days? or should I fold it in the day I bake it?
Wish I could send pics!
Hi Annie, it should be fine with the cheese in it – love to know how it turns out! N x
Hi Nagi, if I was converting this to a raisin bread would it be ok to omit the salt and add some sugar (and sultanas, cinnamon).
Hi Annette
I have done this. Left the salt in (I think it needs it). Added a tiny bit of sugar but most of the sweetness comes from the sultanas. Used cinnamon and mixed spice. Turned out beautifully.
Super forgiving / adaptable recipe
Hi Annette, raisin bread is on my list of things to do! N x
JUst baked the yeast bread with low expectations as I love read making the traditional way or using a bread machine. It was SUPERB! Cannot believe there is no kneading or waiting for a second rising. THank you Nagi !
I have pics. Where can I show you??
Gave this recipe a go and it was so easy and mess free to make. Tasted amazing and loved the large holes, texture, flavour and crunch. Had to resist cutting the loaf too early as it smelt so good!
I chose the 2-3hr method and immediate bake.
Definitely will be making this again. Thank you Nagi!
wow! this is not my first time to bake a no knead bread but its the best recipe! easy, friendly and forgiving. i put 100 gr’ whole wheat flour so need a litel more water. as u said no need to tach and the most fun part it rise at oven and illk almost the same as the 3 pic’ at “bake”
thenks alot. i am going to try allot more of your recipes
forgat marking the stars- exelant
10 stars
Can I bake this at a lower temp, say 400F? If so for how long? Thanks. Love your recipes and Dozer!
Hi Ginny, you need the high temp to get the rise and crispy crust here. N x
I’m desperate to try this Nagi. Can I use a pyrex oven-safe casserole dish with a lid instead of the tray method?
Hi Jake, people have done it successfully but I haven’t tried myself sorry! N x
Thanks Nagi. I’ll give it a go then, and let you know the outcome. x
Hi Nagi, I just made this and it’s so easy and delicious! My only problem was the bread was totally stuck to the paper and we couldn’t peel it off. Do you know how I can stop this happening next time? Thank you.
Hi Nicky! Did you use non stick paper intended for the oven?? ie baking or parchment paper. Because it is SUPPOSED to be non stick! So it should slide right off 🙂 I know here in Australia where I live, the stores carry proper non stick paper for the oven. Then there is this really cheap no-frills paper that is completely useless – I don’t even know what it’s for because it’s certainly doesn’t work for cooking! It doesn’t promise “non stick” or “baking” on the pack 🙂 N x
Hi,
Also from Australia; I think you’re referring to the old fashioned “greaseproof,” paper. I use the proper baking paper and it comes off the tray really easily. I haven’t tried it with the greaseproof paper, but you would want to at least grease it first. Don’t know how the hot oven would act on it, though. The actual baking paper gets brownish, and greaseproof paper is thinner. Might eant to keep an eye on it, just in case!