King Arthur No-Knead Bread Recipe

Imagine the joy of biting into a slice of freshly baked bread with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, airy interior. The best part? You didn’t have to stress over kneading the dough to perfection. With the King Arthur No-Knead Bread recipe, you mix a few ingredients together, let time and patience work their magic, and end up with a bakery-worthy loaf in your kitchen.

How to make King Arthur No-Knead Bread

King Arthur No-Knead Bread is a simple, rustic bread recipe popularized by King Arthur Baking Company. It’s designed to be extremely easy to make, requiring no kneading—hence the name.

Ingredients

• Flour: 6 1/2 cups (780g) of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or another high-quality all-purpose flour.
• Salt: 1 tablespoon of kosher salt or fine salt for flavor.
• Yeast: 1 tablespoon of instant yeast or active dry yeast. Instant yeast is quicker and more convenient for no-knead recipes.
• Water: 3 cups (680g) of lukewarm water (about 100°F; warm but not hot).
• Optional: Add-ins like seeds, herbs, or garlic to customize your bread.

Instructions

1. Mix the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast.
2. Add the lukewarm water and stir until no dry flour remains. You can use a wooden spoon, a dough whisk, or even your hands.
3. The dough will be sticky and shaggy—that’s perfectly fine!

2. Let It Rise

1. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
2. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for about 2 to 3 hours, or until it doubles in size.
3. Optional: For deeper flavor, refrigerate the dough overnight or up to 7 days after the initial rise.

3. Shape the Dough

1. Lightly flour your hands and surface to prevent sticking.
2. Divide the dough if you’re making multiple loaves, or shape it into a round or oval loaf.
3. Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper or a greased baking surface.

4. Let It Rest

1. Cover the loaf loosely and allow it to rest for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. This second rise will give the bread its structure.

5. Preheat Your Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a Dutch oven or baking stone inside to heat up.

6. Bake the Bread

1. Carefully transfer the dough and parchment paper into the hot Dutch oven or onto the baking stone.
2. If using a Dutch oven, cover it with the lid for the first 25 minutes, then remove it for the final 10-15 minutes. This creates steam and helps form a crusty exterior.
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

7. Cool and Enjoy

1. Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Cutting it too soon may affect the texture.

Tips for Success

1. Use a Scale for Accuracy: Measuring by weight (grams) rather than volume ensures consistency, especially with flour.

2. Don’t Skip the Resting and Rising: The dough’s slow fermentation is key to its flavor and texture. Refrigerating dough overnight enhances its depth of flavor.

3. Create Steam for Crispy Crust: If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can place a pan of hot water in the oven during baking to create steam for a crispier crust.

4. Experiment with Add-Ins: Personalize the bread by adding seeds (like sesame or flax), herbs, or roasted garlic. Sprinkle your favorite topping on the dough before baking for extra flavor.

5. Storing Leftovers: Wrap the bread in foil or store it in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze leftover slices by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer bag.

What to serve with

King Arthur No-Knead Bread is a versatile, crusty artisan loaf with a soft interior, perfect for a variety of dishes and occasions.

1. Soups and Stews

Pairing King Arthur No-Knead Bread with warm soups and stews is a timeless comfort food combination. The bread’s chewy texture and crusty exterior are perfect for dipping and soaking up flavors. Here are some great options:

• Chunky Soups: Minestrone, vegetable soup, or potato leek soup pair beautifully with this bread for a wholesome meal. The hearty texture complements the thickness of the soup.
• Creamy Soups: Serve it with cream of tomato, butternut squash, clam chowder, or broccoli cheddar soup. The King Arthur No-Knead Bread helps balance the richness of the creamy flavors.
• Hearty Stews: A crusty slice of no-knead bread is great for sopping up the gravy from beef stew, chicken pot pie soup, or lentil stew.

2. Spreads, Dips, and Appetizers

Transform your no-knead bread into an appetizer or light snack with complementary spreads and dips. These options highlight the bread’s natural flavor while adding a variety of textures and tastes:

• Butter and Flavored Butters: Keep it simple with high-quality unsalted butter or make flavored butters (garlic herb, honey cinnamon, or roasted garlic butter).
• Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar: Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil on a plate, add a splash of balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes for a delightful dipping experience.
• Cheese Spreads: Serve with whipped ricotta, herbed cream cheese, baked brie, or a tangy goat cheese spread.
• Classic Dips: Hummus, baba ganoush, artichoke-spinach dip, or tzatziki work wonderfully with this bread’s chewy texture.
• Pesto: Use basil, sun-dried tomato, or walnut pesto for a flavorful Mediterranean touch.
• Charcuterie Board: Easily elevate the bread by serving it alongside a selection of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and fruits.

3. Sandwiches and Toast

Because of its sturdy structure and chewy crumb, King Arthur No-Knead Bread makes a fantastic base for sandwiches and toast. Here are some ideas:

Classic Sandwiches:

• Grilled cheese (pair with tomato soup for a classic meal!)
• Turkey and cranberry
• Roast beef with horseradish mayo
• Caprese sandwich (layer fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze)

Open-Faced Sandwiches (Toast):

• Avocado toast topped with chili flakes, a poached egg, or smoked salmon
• Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil
• Ricotta toast with honey and berries
• Smashed chickpeas with tahini and herbs

Breakfast Toasts:

• Slather with nut butter and banana slices for a post-bake breakfast.
• Spread cream cheese and add lox, red onions, and capers for a fancy touch.

Ingredients Substitutes

King Arthur No-Knead Bread is a simple and flexible recipe, perfect for beginner bakers or anyone looking to make homemade bread without the hassle of kneading.

1. Flour Substitutes

The main ingredient in the bread recipe is all-purpose flour, but you can substitute it depending on the type of bread you’d like to achieve:

Whole Wheat Flour

• To create a heartier flavour and texture, substitute up to 50% of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
• If you use 100% whole wheat flour, the bread will be denser. You may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of water to compensate for the higher absorption rate of whole wheat flour.

Bread Flour

• You can replace all-purpose flour with bread flour for chewier bread with a better gluten structure.
• No major adjustments to liquids are needed.

Gluten-Free Flour

• To make the bread gluten-free, substitute an equal amount of a gluten-free all-purpose blend (like King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour).
• Note that the texture and rise will be slightly different without the gluten, but you can compensate by adding a binder, such as 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum or psyllium husk.

Other Flours

• Rye Flour: Rely on rye flour for a unique flavor. Mix with all-purpose flour (up to 25-30% rye to all-purpose) for a balanced texture.
• Spelt Flour: Like rye, spelt flour should be mixed with all-purpose or bread flour (up to 25-50%).

2. Yeast Substitutes

The original recipe calls for instant yeast. Here are alternatives:

• Active Dry Yeast: Substitute the instant yeast with active dry yeast—use the same quantity but activate it first by dissolving it in warm (not hot) water for 5–10 minutes before mixing it into the dough.
• Fresh Yeast: Replace instant yeast with fresh yeast (3x the amount called for in the recipe). Crumble it into the water and mix until dissolved.
• Sourdough Starter: You can replace the yeast entirely with sourdough starter (about 1 cup of active starter). However, using sourdough will significantly change the flavor and fermentation process, and you may need to adjust the water and flour amounts to accommodate the starter’s hydration level.

3. Salt Substitutes

Salt is crucial for enhancing flavor and controlling the yeast behavior, but it can be substituted as follows:

• Sea Salt or Kosher Salt: Replace regular table salt with sea salt or kosher salt by volume. Since these types of salt are less dense, you may need to adjust the quantity. For example: If the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon table salt, use 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt.
• Low-Sodium Options: Use low-sodium salt or potassium-based salt substitutes. Keep in mind that swapping salt may subtly affect flavor.

4. Water Substitutes

Water is essential for hydrational purposes, but you can substitute it for added flavor or nutrition:

• Milk: Replace water with milk (whole, skim, or plant-based) to create a softer crumb and slightly richer flavor. If using plant-based milk (like almond or soy milk), choose unsweetened versions to avoid altering the flavor profile.
• Buttermilk or Yogurt: Buttermilk or yogurt adds a tangy flavor. If the yogurt is too thick, thin it with water. Adjust slightly for hydration (buttermilk makes the dough stickier).
• Beer: Use flat beer to replace water for a unique malty flavor.
• Broth: Vegetable or chicken broth can be used for savory bread, but it should be low in sodium to avoid overpowering the flavor.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of King Arthur No-Knead Bread is its versatility—it can be served as a light appetizer, a hearty side, or the centerpiece of a meal.

More Bread Recipes:

• Easter Bread with Eggs
• Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting