No Knead Artisan Bread 3 Ingredients

The Magic of Three Simple Things

I want to share my favorite bread recipe with you. It only needs flour, water, yeast, and salt. Just four simple things from your kitchen. Mixing them feels like a little bit of kitchen magic.

You just stir it all together in a big bowl. The dough will look shaggy and sticky. That is perfectly fine. I promise. Good bread does not need to be complicated.

A Story About Waiting

My grandson once peeked under the towel after ten minutes. He asked why it wasn’t bread yet. I still laugh at that. Good things need time. This dough needs a long, slow rest.

Let it sit for a few hours, or even overnight. The waiting is the secret. It lets the flavor grow deep and wonderful. This matters because the best flavors cannot be rushed.

Shaping Your Loaf with Love

Now, flour your hands well. Gently lift the dough out. Be kind to it. You are not punching it down. You are just giving it a new shape.

Make it into a round ball. Place it on some parchment paper. Then, take a sharp knife. Make a few small cuts on top. This helps the bread grow beautifully in the oven.

The Hot Oven Secret

Get your oven very, very hot. I put my pan inside while it heats up. A cast iron skillet works great. When you put the dough in, you need steam.

I toss a few ice cubes onto the oven floor. They sizzle and steam. Fun fact: That steam is what gives the bread a crispy, crackly crust. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

The Hardest Part

When the bread comes out, it smells so good. The crust is a deep golden brown. It looks perfect. But you must wait. Let it cool completely on a rack.

This is the hardest part, I know. If you cut it too soon, the inside gets gummy. Waiting lets the bread finish cooking inside. This matters because patience makes the perfect slice.

Your Turn to Bake

Now you know how to make magic with flour and water. It is a simple joy. The smell of baking bread fills a house with love.

What will you eat with your first warm slice? I love mine with a little butter and honey. What is your favorite thing to put on bread? Tell me about your baking adventure. I would love to hear.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
All-purpose flour	3 cups (395g)
Kosher salt	½ tablespoon
Instant or active dry yeast	¼ oz (about 2¼ teaspoons)
Warm water	1½ cups	105°F

The Easiest Bread You’ll Ever Bake

Hello, my dear! Let’s bake some bread today. This recipe is my favorite. It only needs three ingredients. I still laugh at that.

My grandson taught me this one. He said, Grandma, no kneading! I was so surprised. The dough does all the work itself. You just need a little patience. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Step 1: Grab a big bowl. Whisk your flour, salt, and yeast together. Now, pour in the warm water. Mix it all up with a spoon until it’s a sticky, shaggy ball. No dry flour should be left. It’s that simple.

Step 2: Cover the bowl with a nice, clean towel. Let it sit on your counter. It needs to rest for a few hours. I like to let mine sit all day. The longer it rests, the better it tastes. (My hard-learned tip: Mark the bowl with tape so you remember when you started!)

Step 3: Flour your hands well. The dough will be sticky! Gently scoop it out. Shape it into a round loaf on a floured surface. Place it on some parchment paper. Cut a few little slashes on top with a knife.

Step 4: Let your shaped dough rest again. This is its final little nap. It should sit for about 20 minutes. Use this time to preheat your oven. This makes the bread nice and light.

Step 5: Get your oven very hot. Carefully put your dough, on the paper, into the oven. For a super crispy crust, add some steam. I just toss a few ice cubes in the bottom of the oven. It makes a wonderful crackle.

Step 6: Bake until it’s a beautiful golden brown. Now, this is important. You must let it cool completely. I know it’s hard to wait! Cutting it warm makes it gummy. What’s your favorite thing to put on fresh bread? Share below!

Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 3–12 hours (mostly resting)
Yield: 1 loaf
Category: Bread, Baking

Let’s Get Creative With Your Loaf

This simple bread is like a blank canvas. You can add so many fun things to it. I love playing with different flavors. It makes every loaf a new adventure.

Here are a few of my favorite twists. Just mix them in with the flour at the very beginning.

Everything Bagel Bliss: Add two tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning. It gives it such a savory, oniony kick.

Sweet Cinnamon Swirl: Mix in a tablespoon of cinnamon and a quarter cup of raisins. It’s like having dessert for breakfast.

Cheesy Herb Delight: Stir in half a cup of shredded cheddar and a teaspoon of dried rosemary. So cheesy and wonderful.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Way to Serve Your Bread

Oh, a warm slice of bread is a little piece of heaven. But what do you have with it? I have a few ideas from my own table.

For a lovely lunch, I tear off a big chunk. I dip it in a bowl of creamy tomato soup. The crust is perfect for scooping. Or, you can slice it thick. Toast it and spread on some good butter and honey.

What to drink? A cold glass of apple cider is just right. It’s so refreshing. For the grown-ups, a nice pale ale pairs beautifully. It cuts right through the richness. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Homemade Bread Fresh

Fresh bread is a wonderful treat. Let’s keep it tasting great. Once your bread is cool, wrap it in a towel. You can also store it in a paper bag for a day.

For longer storage, your freezer is your best friend. Slice the loaf first. Then you can pull out one piece at a time. I once froze a whole loaf without slicing it. It was so hard to cut later.

To reheat, just pop a frozen slice in the toaster. It will taste fresh-baked. You can also make a few loaves at once. This is called batch cooking.

Batch cooking saves you time during a busy week. It means a warm meal is always close by. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Bread Problems

Sometimes, our bread doesn’t turn out as planned. That’s okay. Here are some easy fixes. First, if your bread is too dense, the water might be the issue.

Make sure your water is warm, not hot. Hot water can hurt the yeast. I remember when my bread was flat as a pancake. My water was too hot.

Second, if your crust is soft, you need more steam. Toss those ice cubes in the oven. This creates a crispy, wonderful crust. A good crust makes the bread feel special.

Third, if the bread is sticky, use more flour on your hands. This gives you confidence to shape the dough. Knowing these fixes makes you a better cook. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Bread Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes, use a good gluten-free flour blend. The texture will be a little different.

Q: How far ahead can I make the dough?
A: You can keep it in your fridge for up to a week. This is great for planning.

Q: What if I don’t have instant yeast?
A: Active dry yeast works just fine. You do not need to change a thing.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Absolutely. You can make two loaves to share with a friend.

Q: Any optional tips?
A: Try adding herbs or garlic powder to the flour. It adds a lovely flavor. Which tip will you try first?

A Final Word From My Kitchen

I hope you love making this bread. There is nothing like the smell of fresh bread at home. It fills the house with warmth and love.

Fun fact: The steam from the ice cubes helps the bread rise high in the oven. I would be so happy to see your creations. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Sharing food is a way to share joy. I hope this bread brings joy to your table.

Happy cooking!
—Olivia Hartwell.