This herbed Dutch Oven Bread is crusty on the outside, and so soft on the inside. It has a little bit of an Italian flair with the added spices and garlic flavors, and it’s the perfect dipping bread for dinner.
Dutch Oven Bread
This recipe for Dutch Oven Bread is one of those recipes that I come back to over and over. Partly because it’s so easy to make and partly because of how perfectly it turns out every time.
Now I know yeast can be a turn-off in a recipe to some people. I get it. It can be a temperamental ingredient. But believe me when I tell you that you can’t mess this recipe up! If you follow the easy instructions, it will rise every time, and you will feel like a pro at bread baking!
How to Make Dutch Oven Bread
- Combine all of the ingredients in one bowl, and let it rise. You should let it rise for at least 12 hours, but honestly, I’ve left it on my counter as long as 24 hours and it turns out just fine.
- Pre-heat the oven and the pot together.
- Pat the dough into a rounded ball and place it in the hot pot. Put the lid on top and bake!
- Uncover the pot toward the end of baking to let the bread get nice and golden. That’s it!
One of the great things about this easy dutch oven bread is that you don’t need to babysit it, do a 2nd rise, or knead the dough (hallelujah!). There is a slight downside though. You have to make the dough in advance. Don’t let that hold you back though. I promise it’s worth it. Plus you get to smell the dough rising on your counter all day long! I usually make it either the night before or early in the morning so it will be ready for dinner.
There are a lot of recipes out there for “no knead bread,” and they all have 3 cups of flour. I’ve tried to half my recipe a few times down to 3 cups and, unless you use a teeny tiny dutch oven, your bread will just spread in the bottom of the pan and not rise up the sides. So I know this seems like a lot of flour but I promise you, it’s worth it. Even with this much flour, I still only use a 3.5 quart oval dutch oven. You can actually use any oven-proof pot that has a lid.
Dutch Oven Recommendations:
I really love my Le Creuset 3.5 Quart Dutch Oven. I know it’s pricey, but the Le Creuset cast iron pots last forever! Cuisinart has a nice (cheaper) alternative with their 3-quart cast iron pot. And once you have a Dutch Oven, you can make other things like Dutch Oven Pot Roast too!
Here are a few more bread recipes you might enjoy:
- Brioche Loaf Bread
- Honey Whole Wheat Bread
- White Sandwich Bread
- Homemade English Muffins
- Diane’s No-Fail French Bread
- Rich Egg and Butter Bread
- Homemade Subway Bread
- Sweet Challah Bread
Dutch Oven Bread
Ingredients
- 6 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon granulated white sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups warm water (105 degrees F)
Instructions
PREPARE THE DOUGH:
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the warm water. Stir to combine. Add the warm water and mix together until a dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Cover the bowl loosely with a clean dish towel and allow to rise for at least 12 hours and no more than 24 hours.
BAKING THE BREAD:
- When you are ready to bake the bread, place your Dutch oven pot and lid in the oven and pre-heat the pot and the oven at the same time to 450 degrees.
- While the oven is heating, sprinkle some flour on a board or on your clean countertop and spill out the dough onto the flour. Sprinkle the top of the dough ball with a little bit of flour as well to keep your hands from sticking to it. The dough will be very soft so do your best to form it into a circle.
- Once the pot and oven are heated, remove the pot from the oven and gently place the dough into the heated pot. (It doesn't need to be perfect as the dough will take the shape of the pot).
- Using oven mitts (and I say this because I've forgotten before OUCH), place the lid back on the pot and put the pot back into the oven. Cook for 30 minutes covered.
- After the 30 minutes, uncover the pot, and cook for another 15 minutes until the top is golden and crispy. Let cool until it's safe to touch before slicing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Does this bread bake at 450 degrees like you called for the preheating of the pan?
yes!
Bread turned out awesome the family loved it! I plan to make more with different flavor variations!
I only have an 8 quart, do you think it would turn out ok if I double the recipe?
I haven’t tried doubling the recipe, but you can certainly try!
I want to buy an enamelled dutch oven for making this bread. I bought a Logostini but the instructions said it could not be in the oven empty as you need for preheating. Le Crueset is so expensive. Any suggestions for an enamelled pot? Please and thanks.
I have the Martha Stewart Dutch oven and it’s great. Always on sale at Macys.
Can I make this bread in a 6 qt dutch oven?
Probably, but the dough may spread out and create a thinner loaf.
Can I use a dutch oven that’s cast iron to make this?
Yes, mine is a enameled cast iron pot and the bread does not stick to it. If yours is not enameled, you may want to sprinkle some flour in the bottom of the pot to make sure the bread doesn’t stick. 🙂
Hi Mindy,
Does this bread have to be covered when baking? I don’t have a Dutch oven or pot that can withstand the heat required. I only have a cast iron skillet.
It does need to be covered while baking for the first 30 minutes or the top will get a little TOO crispy. Could you maybe try tenting it with aluminum foil (not touching the dough) to give it some protection? Best of luck!
This bread looks so crispy and delicious!
Thanks Natalie!!
Do you use a towel or plastic wrap to cover rising bread?
You can use plastic wrap or just leave it uncovered in the microwave over-night. I’d hesitate to use a towel only because the dough is VERY sticky and would get all over it. But if you have a towel that you use for doughs then go for it! It will be fine with any option!
This recipe is amazing in every way! Easy to throw together in the evening, no kneading, and baking the next morning. Did I mention the taste is AMAZING? How do I store it so it lasts a few days?
I only have a 6 quart dutch oven. Will it be too flat if I try and use my 6 quart dutch oven?
Hi Claudia,
You could use it, but yes, the bread will be flatter than the bread in the photo. If you have a smaller oven-proof pot with a lid, that could work too though. 🙂