This is the easiest 4 ingredient homemade bread recipe. With only 4 ingredients (water, flour, yeast, salt) and no-kneading, you can have fresh bread in your home. This recipe is fairly simple to follow and only requires time! This really is the best bread! This is a beginner level bread that is made from dry instant yeast! If I can make it, you can too!
Getting Started with Homemade Bread Making
I got into bread making in the early months of 2020 when the world shut down and I found myself with extra time on my hands. That’s when I decide that I want to work on my bread making and yeast rising skills.
Trust me, I am no professional baker. I used to think people are born with a baking talent that I didn’t have.
But after many, many years of practicing, bread making really is doable as long as you are using fresh ingredients and you have patience. I really struggle in the patience area.
The thing is, with the right recipe and the right attitude (yes I said it) you can be a successful bread recipe. This beginner easy homemade bread recipe is a great place to start!
How To Make Easy Overnight Bread (No Kneading Required)
For this recipe, you only need four ingredients and time on your side. Don’t ever try to rush bread making!
Flour, instant yeast, salt, and water! That’s it!
The yeast for this no-knead bread can be either active dry yeast or rapid rise (also known as instant or quick rise yeast). No matter which kind of yeast you choose, you just want to make sure it’s fresh.
The yeast is your leavening and what will make your bread dough rise. It is also what is going to give your bread flavor.
Old or expired yeast will result in flat, tough, and bland bread. Fresh is best! I store my yeast in the freezer so it stays fresh longer.
Let the Dough Rest & Rise
I’ve mentioned throughout this post the importance of having time on your side for this recipe. That is not to intimidate you at all, but to inform you that this is a process so you can plan! I want you to be successful!
Once you’ve prepared the dough and mixed all the ingredients together, it’s time to let the dough rest.
Transfer the dough to a large bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it aside in a room-temperature area.
You need to let the dough rise for 12-18 hours, or until the surface is covered in bubbles and the dough has at least doubled in size. I like to prep this dough the night before the day I want to serve it.
During this time, the yeast will begin feeding on the starches in the flour, breaking it down and adding flavor to the dough. This dough has a similar taste and texture to a sourdough loaf when baking, but it isn’t a sourdough recipe.
Homemade Bread Baking Tip
For the best final results with this recipe, it works the very best to bake the bread in a dutch oven pot. This will help to ensure the bottom of the bread will create a crisp crust and the top will not over bake.
Before baking the dough, while the oven is preheating, I actually leave the dutch oven inside of the oven to heat it for about 30 minutes.
If you don’t have a dutch oven or a cast iron pot, you can use the insert of your crock-pot or a deep stoneware baking dish. If those don’t have an oven-safe lid, you can cover it with foil.
Don’t stress! You’ve got this!
Read through the whole recipe first before getting started, take things step by step, and reach out to me if you have questions. I promise this will turn out great!
If you give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, or snap a photo and tag it with @TheAlexDaynes on Instagram! I love to see what you’ve been cooking. It always makes my day!
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Easy Homemade Bread
This is the easiest 4 ingredient homemade bread recipe. With only 4 ingredients (water, flour, yeast, salt) and no-kneading, you can have fresh bread in your home.
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
Instructions
- Start by whisking the flour, salt, and yeast together in a medium-sized bowl.
- Gradually add the warm water to the dry mixture, and stir using a wooden spoon or a dough hook. Mix the dough gently until it begins to come together. The dough will be sticky. Once the dough is ready, form the dough into a ball.
- Transfer the dough ball to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place it out of the way in a room-temperature area. Let the dough rest and rise for 12-18 hours, or until the surface is covered in bubbles and the dough has at least doubled in size. I typically leave it overnight.
- When the dough is ready, place a Dutch oven into your oven and turn it on to 450°F. Let the Dutch oven warm-up for about 30 minutes or so while it comes to temperature.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface. To shape the dough, fold the edges in on itself several times. Turn the dough over and begin forming the final shape giving it a nice, smooth surface ball.
- Place the dough on a large square of parchment paper, then dust with flour and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Next, use a sharp knife to score an X-shape into the top of the dough.
- Remove your preheated Dutch oven from the oven, and place the parchment paper and dough inside. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake your bread for an additional 10-15 minutes. You want the top to be nice a dark, but not burnt. Remove from the oven and transfer your bread to a cooling rack. Cool the bread for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
*Make sure yeast is fresh and unexpired before baking
*Water should be warm, not hot to the touch before adding it. Too hot water will kill the yeast.
*Don't overwork the dough. It will feel sticky before allowing it to rest and rise. If it still feels sticky after step 5, add an additional tablespoon or two of flour to the dough and work it in.
*This bread resembles the taste and texture of sourdough bread because of the long rise time. The yeast breaks down the flour and gives it a very subtle, delicious sour taste.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 371Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1063mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 3gSugar: 0gProtein: 11g
