Rustic Artisan Bread
A simple and forgiving artisan bread recipe that yields a crusty loaf with a chewy interior, perfect for beginners and great for pairing with any meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour) You can use bread flour if available.
- 1.5 teaspoons salt Do not skip it; it enhances the flavor.
- 0.5 teaspoon instant yeast or active dry yeast Both types of yeast work well.
- 1.5 cups warm water Warm tap water is recommended, not hot.
- optional olive oil For greasing the bowl.
- optional extra flour For dusting your hands and the counter.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a big bowl, stir together 3 cups of flour, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of yeast.
- Pour in 1.5 cups of warm water and stir until everything is combined, resulting in a sticky and messy dough.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it sit at room temperature until it is puffy and doubled, typically 2 to 3 hours.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven (with the lid) inside for at least 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour onto your counter, scrape the dough out, and gently fold it over itself a few times to form a rough ball.
- Carefully place the dough into the hot pot (preferably on parchment paper), cover with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the bread is deep golden brown.
Cooling
- Let the bread cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to avoid a gummy interior.
Notes
Bread making is forgiving, and this recipe results in a lovely rustic loaf. If you lack a Dutch oven, you can use a preheated sheet pan but expect a less dramatic crust. Remember, sticky dough is normal for artisanal style bread.