Bake rustic, artisan-style Dutch oven bread at home! Soft inside, golden crust outside, this is an easy homemade recipe perfect for any meal.
With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll bake a rustic artisan-style loaf that’s soft and fluffy on the inside with a crisp golden crust.
Easy Dutch Oven Bread
Ingredients
Instructions
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Mix dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. Dough will be sticky.
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Rise
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or kitchen towel. Let dough sit covered at room temperature for at least 2-3 hours until it doubles in size.
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Preheat oven
About 30 minutes before baking, place a Dutch oven with its lid on into the oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C).
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Shape dough
Scrape dough onto a floured surface. With floured hands, form dough into a ball shape by folding the edges toward the center (about 6 folds). Place the dough ball onto a sheet of parchment paper.
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Score the dough
Dust with flour and make a few slits across the top of the dough if you prefer.
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Place dough in Dutch Oven
Carefully remove the Dutch oven pot from the oven. Lift the dough using the parchment paper into the Dutch oven.
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Bake
Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
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Cool
Remove from oven. Carefully lift the bread from the Dutch oven (using the parchment paper) and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Equipment
Note
Tips & Variations
- For an artisan look, dust the top with flour and score the loaf with a sharp knife before baking.
- Add herbs, garlic, or seeds to the dough for extra flavor.
- Brushing the warm loaf with butter softens the crust if you prefer it less crunchy.