BHA & BHT Free Classic No-Knead Bread
There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a crackling, mahogany-crusted loaf out of a Dutch oven, especially when you made it with just four ingredients from your pantry. For anyone avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, store-bought bread can be a minefield — those additives show up in packaged loaves more often than most people realize. This recipe sidesteps all of that with nothing but flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, and water, so you know exactly what went into every slice. The long, slow fermentation — anywhere from 12 to 18 hours — does all the heavy lifting, developing a complex, tangy flavor and an open, chewy crumb without a single preservative in sight. Baking it covered in a preheated Dutch oven traps steam and creates that bakery-style crust that shatters beautifully when you cut into it. The hardest part is honestly waiting the full hour after it comes out of the oven before you slice it — but that patience pays off in a perfectly set crumb that holds up to butter, olive oil, or whatever you love most.
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 water, room temperature
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. Add the water and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until no dry flour remains and a shaggy, sticky dough forms — about 1 minute. The dough will look rough and wet; that is correct.
- 2
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12 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!