Breastfeeding Friendly Dutch Oven No-Knead Artisan Bread
There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a crackling, mahogany-crusted loaf out of a screaming-hot Dutch oven, especially when the ingredient list is just four pantry staples. The long, slow overnight rise does all the heavy lifting, so there is no kneading, no stand mixer, and no complicated technique standing between you and a genuinely beautiful artisan loaf. That low-and-slow fermentation also means the yeast has plenty of time to develop complex, slightly tangy flavor that tastes like it came from a bakery counter. For anyone navigating the hunger and nutritional demands of breastfeeding, having a reliable homemade bread on hand is a quiet kind of lifesaver — you know exactly what went into it, and it pairs with absolutely everything from avocado to a smear of nut butter for a quick, sustaining snack. The covered Dutch oven traps steam during the first bake, creating that signature blistered crust and open, chewy crumb without any special equipment beyond a pot you likely already own. Patience is the only real skill required here: let the dough rest overnight, let the Dutch oven preheat fully, and let the finished loaf cool completely before you slice into it. The reward is a deeply golden round with a shattering crust and a soft, airy interior that makes every sandwich, toast, or torn-off hunk feel like a small celebration.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 3 cups bread 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 bread 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 plate and let the dough rest at room temperature for 8–12 hours (overnight is ideal), until the surface is dotted with bubbles and the dough has roughly doubled in size.
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