Easy Homemade Artisan Bread 🥖✨
This no-fuss, crusty-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside bread requires just 5 basic ingredients and no kneading! Perfect for beginners or busy bakers.
📝 Ingredients
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4 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
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1 tbsp active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
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1 tsp salt
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1⅓ cups warm water (~110°F/43°C)
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4¾ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chew)
Optional Add-Ins:
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1 tbsp honey/sugar (to activate yeast faster)
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1 tsp herbs (rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
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In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and olive oil. Let sit 5-10 mins until frothy (if using honey/sugar, add it here).
2. Mix the Dough
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Stir in salt and flour (1 cup at a time) until a shaggy dough forms.
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Cover with a damp towel and let rise 1 hour (or until doubled).
3. Shape & Second Rise
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Punch down dough, then shape into a round loaf on a floured surface.
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Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a greased Dutch oven.
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Cover and rise 30-45 mins (preheat oven to 425°F/220°C during this time).
4. Bake
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Optional: Slash the top with a sharp knife and brush with water for extra crispness.
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Bake 25-30 mins until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
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Cool on a wire rack 10 mins before slicing.
🔥 Pro Tips
✔ No Dutch oven? Place a pan of water on the oven’s lower rack to create steam.
✔ Storage: Keep in a paper bag for 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
✔ Crustier loaf? Spritz dough with water before baking.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
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Slather with garlic butter or dip in balsamic & olive oil.
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Use for sandwiches, bruschetta, or soups.
This bread is crispy, chewy, and impossibly fragrant—your kitchen will smell like a bakery! 😍
Want a whole wheat version? Swap 1 cup of AP flour with whole wheat flour + 1 tbsp extra water. 🌾