MSG Free Classic Dutch Oven Bread
There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a golden, crackling loaf out of a screaming-hot Dutch oven, and this no-knead method makes that moment completely achievable at home. The ingredient list is beautifully minimal — just flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, and warm water — so you know exactly what is going into every slice without having to decode a single label. A long, slow rest of 8 to 18 hours does all the heavy lifting, developing a complex, slightly tangy flavor that tastes like it came from a serious bakery. The Dutch oven traps steam during the first bake, creating that signature blistered crust and an open, chewy crumb that is genuinely hard to beat. Scoring the top before it goes in gives the loaf room to bloom dramatically, which is as fun to watch as it is to eat. Let it cool fully on a wire rack before slicing — patience here is the difference between a gummy interior and a perfectly set crumb. Once you have made this, reaching for a store-bought loaf is going to feel like a real step down.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ¼ tsp instant yeast
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°f / 43°c)
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. Pour in the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until no dry flour remains and a shaggy, sticky dough forms — about 1 minute. The dough will look rough and uneven; that is correct.
- 2
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 8 to 18 hours, until the surface is dotted with bubbles and the dough has roughly doubled in size.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!