This no-knead artisan bread is the easiest bread recipe you’ll ever make! You only need one bowl and 3 simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners!
Table of Contents
3 Ingredient Bread Recipe
Homemade bread is seriously pure comfort and a staple in my home. The very first recipe I ever made from scratch was my homemade white bread, which my family adores. I’ve made many more over the years, like my homemade bagels, homemade french bread and whole wheat bread.
You seriously won’t find an easier bread recipe than this! It comes together with only 3 ingredients (I don’t count water as an ingredient) and is perfect for beginner bakers along with my delicious dinner rolls. There’s no kneading required and the dough can be made in one bowl. Plus it only takes minutes to prep just like Irish soda bread.
I shaped this bread into a French Boule (circle) similar to a sourdough bread recipe, but you can shape it into a French baguette, rolls, pizza dough, or ciabatta. It’s super versatile and a recipe you’ll want to save for when you just have a few ingredients on hand.
Easy Artisan Bread Ingredients
This is an art form of bread! It is crispy, and crunchy on the outside with a soft inside. Every bite is warm and comforting. These ingredients are pantry staples. Make this easy bread recipe quickly and easily!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- All-purpose flour: Make sure to sift or use a spoon to add the flour to the measuring cups. This will help the homemade artisan bread raise properly and makes chewier bread. You make need a little more when you knead bread too.
- Kosher salt: This helps slow down the growth of the yeast as well as adds flavor. You will need to let the dough rise longer because there is no sugar in the ingredients to help build the yeast.
- Dry yeast packet: Instant yeast or active dry yeast works great to help the dough rise when mixed with water. Commercial yeast is best, no need for a sourdough starter recipe.
- Warm water: Get your water up to 105°F. This will activate yeast to raise the dough.
How to Make Artisan Bread
Only 3 main pantry ingredients to make this homemade artisan bread. Prepare a work surface to make this bread perfectly. It is beautiful and delicious!
- Make the dough. Add salt and yeast to a large bowl, then pour the warm water on top. Add the flour in all at once, then mix together. I used a dough whisk, but feel free to use a spatula, wooden spoon, or even your hands. The dough will still be sticky once it’s mixed together, but this is what you want.
- Cover and let rise. Cover the bowl with a towel until the dough doubles in size. This will take about 2 to 3 hours, however the longer you allow it to rise the better. You can leave it on the counter to rise for up to 12 hours. Once it rises, you can prepare to bake or cover the bowl with saran wrap and stick it in the refrigerator to bake later. It will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Shape the dough. Dust your hands with flour, then lightly turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into your preferred shape, ensuring not to punch it down or knead it. I like to shape mine into a French boule (round circle). Or shape it into 2 loaves and tuck the ends under. Add a light dust of flour on top, then use a bread knife to make about 1 to 4 lines across the top.
- Let rest again. Line a pizza peel, skillet, or pan with parchment, then lightly sprinkle flour on top. Add the dough and let rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bake in the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F. You want the bread to cook on a hot surface, so place a baking stone, pizza stone, or flipped-over iron skillet into the oven. Let it warm in the oven for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats.
Cooking Tips
Get ready to learn all about the tips and ways to make this artisan bread the best. Bake this homemade bread in different ways, measure it perfectly, and patiently wait for the bread to rise before baking. All these great things will add up to the best artisan bread!
- Double it! You can easily double this recipe to make an extra loaf and freeze it for later.
- Baking stone. If you don’t have a baking stone, you can turn a cast iron skillet or baking sheet upside down and place it in to then to heat up.
- Parchment paper. Use parchment paper to easily slide the dough ball onto the hot skillet in the oven. The bread will cook on parchment paper.
- Measure perfectly. Knowing how to measure flour accurately can make a big difference in texture.
- Raise. The longer you let it rise, the chewier the bread will be. You can let it rise on the counter for up to 12-18 hours and up to a week in the refrigerator. I prefer to make it the night before I bake it.
- Small loaves. Split the dough in half if you’d prefer to make 2 smaller loaves. This recipe makes about a 9-inch loaf.
- Crusty crust. If you don’t have a broiler pan, stick a cup of water in a small oven-safe pan or toss in about 5 ice cubes to help keep steam in the oven. This will create a crusty crust.
- Storing. Store in a paper bag so it doesn’t soften.
What to Serve with Artisan Bread?
Artisan bread is perfect on its own with a little bit of butter or jam or warm out of the oven. Cook your favorite soup, mix together a salad or use it as sliced bread for a sandwich. The possibilities are endless!
- This bread tastes impressive alongside a warm bowl of chicken noodles or tomato soup.
- Spread butter, garlic herb butter, or strawberry jam on top.
- Dip into a warm cheese dip or this bread dipping oil recipe.
- Use it to make a grilled caprese sandwich.
- Add mashed guacamole on top to make avocado toast.
Recipe FAQs
Artisan bread is a leaner formulation with low sugar and fat level compared to other types of bread. There is little to no use of dough conditioners and high or low hydration levels. It is known to be good for you compared to other bread recipes.
Artisan bread is known for its shape, texture, and appearance. It has a special flavor and aroma that is comforting with a sweet and savory taste.
If you are making a whole-grain handmade artisan loaf, then yes, it is a bit healthier. It contains a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and other ways to help reduce the risk of diabetes among other health benefits.
5 star review
“This is the best recipe! I couldn’t be happier with the results. My family loved this, and it was so easy to make. I will make this time and time again. There is something so comforting about a warm slice of home made bread.”
-Molly
Ready to make more bread recipes? Try making your own pita bread, fry bread or dutch oven bread!
More Homemade Bread Recipes
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Artisan Bread Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups (395 grams) all-purpose flour , or bread flour
- ½ Tablespoon Kosher salt
- ¼ ounce instant or active dry yeast packet , or 2 1/4 teaspoons
- 1 ½ cups warm water , 105°F
Instructions
Make dough:
- Place the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Then pour the warm water (about 105°F) over top, making sure it's not too hot. Then you can use a dough whisk, spatula, wooden spoon or your hands to mix together. The dough should still be somewhat wet and sticky, but add more flour if it's too sticky to handle.
- Once the flour is all mixed in, cover with a towel or plastic wrap spayed with nonstick spray for 2-10 hours, or you can leave on the counter overnight. The longer you let it rise, the more it will ferment.
Shape:
- Wet your hands and turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. The dough will be sticky. Do not punch it down, knead it or roll it out. Gently pull the sides up and fold into the middle to make your preferred shape. I typically work it into a French boule (round circle) or 2 loaves and tuck the ends under.
- Place dough on a piece of parchment paper. Lightly dust the top with flour and then use a bread knife to add 1-4 lines across the top. Let it rest about 20-30 minutes.
Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a baking stone, a pizza stone, dutch oven or a iron skillet into the oven.
- Slide the dough with the parchment paper onto the hot stone. To make crustier, place either 1 cup of hot water in a small broiler pan or 5 ice cubes into the bottom of the oven and shut the door to trap the steam. Then bake for 25-30 minutes or until browned.
- Allow to cool on a cooling rack for at least 30 minutes. Slice the bread and serve. Store in a paper bag so it doesn't soften.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
The directions don’t mention refrigeration but the video does which adds extra rest time. Is this necessary?
No, only refrigerate if your dough feels sticky before shaping or if you are planning to bake later in the week.
No you don’t need to refrigerate :)
Perfect every single time❤️ best to let it rise all day 👍
I agree! So glad you enjoyed the artisan bread!
I have tried to make this recipe 4 times and each time it doesn’t rise. I follow the recipe exactly – quantities – handling etc. and nothing is working. Please tell me what I am doing wrong.
Hi, without being the in kitchen with you, it’s hard to say. Was your yeast fresh? Was your water too warm? (too hot and it will kill the yeast) Was the room cold where it was rising? Or maybe it was too hot and the dough overproofed?
So easy to make! I am rock star ⭐️ now in the bread world 🌎!
So glad you enjoyed the artisan bread!
So delicious and easy!
Thanks for the review!
Hi my dough would not turn out of the bowl I used. I felt like I was pulling it off of the sides. I used a plastic mixing bowl. Is there any reason or way to get the dough out of the bowl without it being so stuck or having to pull it or is this normal?
Thank you
Hi Sarah! It is definitely a stickier dough, sometimes I like to wet my hands and pull it away from the sides. If it’s not coming out, you may not have added enough flour.
I feel yeast granules in my dough. I’m afraid to over mix or knead it. Is this unusual? I plan to let it ferment for 6 hours
Hi Dorna! You’re yeast might not have been fully dissolved before mixing. It’s not usually a major issue, but you might want to mix or knead the dough gently to help distribute the yeast more evenly without overworking it. Hope you enjoy the bread!
The bread turned out fantastic! Thank you!
After forming your loaf, do you let it rise again before baking?
Hi Dorna! Yes, after you form your loaf, let it rest for about 20-30 minutes. Happy baking :)
Can cheddar and jalapeños be added to this recipe?
It has not been tested but I don’t see why not. Enjoy!
Just tried this recipe. First time making bread. Crust was nice and crunchy and the inside was very dense and soft. So delicious!! Will definitely make it again. It was very easy to make!
So glad you enjoyed it!
What would happen if I use self rising flour. I don’t have any all purpose on hand at the moment
Self rising flour includes baking powder and would not be recommended for this recipe since it is a yeast bread.
This is the easiest bread recipe ever. First time baking bread and it came out perfect. My family absolutely loved it and my mom even asked for the recipe.
So glad everyone enjoyed it! Happy bread baking :)
Wonderful bread simple easy and clean
Yeah! So glad to hear this!
I use this recipe all the time. My husband’s favorite bread, mine too. So easy to make.
So glad you enjoyed the artisan bread!
This was easy to make the night before and bake it the next day. Family loved it!
So glad you enjoyed it!
😞 crust was good but inside was doughy
A doughy inside is usually an indication that the dough did not proof enough, this can also happen if you leave it in the pan for too long after baking.
Excellent recipe – thanks for sharing this recipe. I have been baking (mostly cakes and cookies) since I was 9 years old. I’m almost 52. I am trying different recipes to see which one I like. This one is easy to follow. The family will be trying it tonight.
I am sure your family loved it, thanks for the review!
Jaimelyn Can I add cheese & Jalapneos
I haven’t tried, but sounds yummy! Let us know if you test it out.
My bread turned out really well. It was super sticky but I sprayed the plastic wrap and the bowl with Pam. Raised on the counter for 3 hours. Refrigerated for 30 minutes. Put flour on the Parchment and tried to avoid kneading while i pulled up the sides to form a boule. Convection oven 425 on heated pizza stone for 30 minutes then another 8. I used ice cubes in the oven. Crust was nice and crispy.
I’m so glad your artisan bread turned out well!
The bread turned out delicious and I am going tontry again. But it didn’t rise much in the oven. It sort of spread out but not up. I let it rise for about 8 hours originally. Then shaped it and let it sit for 30 minutes. It didn’t really keep its shape well when I was trying to shape it. Do you think I need to add more flour when shaping?
No I would not add more flour when shaping, that will cause your bread to be too dense. There could be a few reasons the bread lacked oven spring, it’s hard to know exactly which when not in the kitchen with you :). A few reasons could be over proofing the dough which can happen in the summer especially when it is warmer. Before baking press lightly on the top of the dough, it should spring back, if it doesn’t the bread is likely overproofed. Another reason could be the oven temperature, as all ovens bake differently. If you have a Dutch Oven I would try baking it in there as it could create a better environment for the bread to rise. Remember to preheat it first though! Lastly, check your yeast to ensure it is not expired.