Making No Knead Italian Rustic Bread is a rewarding experience that brings the warmth of Italian kitchens right into your home. The easy recipe balances a few simple ingredients to create a crusty, artisan-style loaf that pairs perfectly with your favorite meals.
For those with gluten sensitivities, using a gluten-free all-purpose flour can work well, although it may alter the texture slightly. If you’re out of dried yeast granules, a similar amount of active dry yeast can be used. Always consider quality ingredients for the best flavor; fresh flour and salt can make a noticeable difference in the final loaf.
Bread & Rolls
No Knead Italian Rustic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried yeast granules
- 1 5/8 cups water
Instructions
- I like to prepare the dough with my Kitchenaid dough hook. First, place 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon dried yeast granules in the mixer bowl. Next, add 1 5/8 cups of water to the mix.
- Using the dough hook on the stir setting, allow the dry and wet ingredients to come together; the should take about a minute until all the flour is incorporated. Alternatively, a wooden spoon or spatula works just as well.
- Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rest in a warm place for 12 to 18 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when it doubles in size, bubbles, and develops long gluten strands.
- Lightly flour your hands and the work surface, then remove the dough from the bowl, quickly shaping it into a ball.
- Thoroughly flour a cotton towel and place the dough on it, covering it with another floured cotton towel.
- Optionally, you can rest the dough on a non-stick ‘Silpat’ mat and cover it with just one towel. Let the dough rest a second time for 2 to 3 hours until it rises again and doubles in size.
- About half an hour before the dough is ready, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use cast-iron, steel, enamel, or ceramic pots for baking.
- Once the dough has fully risen, slide your hand under the towel and quickly invert the delicate dough into the hot pot. Give the pot a little shake to settle the dough, then place the lid on top to start baking.
- Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes to achieve that beautiful crust.