Overnight No Knead Bread

Overnight no knead bread is a simple, crusty bread with a golden brown crust and soft, chewy interior. Recipe makes one 7" round loaf.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 50

Resting Time 12

Total Time 13 5

Servings slices

Add warm water and instant yeast to a large bowl and whisk until yeast has dissolved. Add bread flour and kosher salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and allow to rise for 2 hours at room temperature. Dough should be about double in size and look bubbly and jiggly.
Transfer to the refrigerator to rest overnight, up to 3 days (I find that 2-3 day bread has the best flavor).
Remove dough from refrigerator to warm up while your oven preheats.
Place an empty Dutch oven with the lid inside your oven and preheat to 450℉.
Once the oven has preheated, pour dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pull each corner to the center to form a ball and pinch the seams closed.
Flip the dough over onto a clean section of countertop and cup the dough with your hands, pulling it towards you to create a taut ball.
Use a bench scraper to transfer bread (seam side down) onto a piece of parchment paper.
Score the top of the bread with a sharp knife or lame.
Remove preheated Dutch oven and remove the lid. Use the parchment to lift your dough into the pan. Optionally, add a few ice cubes under the parchment (this produces steam which helps your bread rise) then return lid.
Bake for 25 minutes covered, then remove lid and bake for another 20-25 minutes. Bread should look golden brown on top and reach 205F in the center when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
Allow bread to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Don't have a Dutch oven?: Bread can be baked uncovered on a sheet pan for 45-50 minutes. Bread will turn out slightly flatter but taste just as good. Alternatively, flip a large metal bowl over on your sheet pan bread and bake for the first 25 minutes.
Storage: Bread will keep for up to 2 days at room temperature or frozen for up to 3 months.