Easy Overnight Artisan Bread

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Easy Overnight Artisan Bread

Bread goals without the knead? It’s possible!

This Easy Overnight Artisan Bread recipe unlocks the secrets to effortless, flavorful bread made with minimal effort. Just a few simple ingredients and some overnight magic transform into a golden-brown masterpiece with a chewy, satisfying center.

Perfect for:

  • Beginner bakers looking for a foolproof recipe.
  • Busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
  • Impressing guests with homemade bread that looks and tastes amazing.

Ditch the store-bought and embrace the ease of overnight baking! Continue reading for the recipe below and experience the joy of homemade bread without the knead!

 

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  • Author: Derek Birch
  • Prep Time: Overnight (10-12 hours)
  • Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 hours
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x
  • Category: Bread

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (425g) all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (340g) warm water (about 110 degrees, like warm, not hot, bath water)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy, sticky, and quite loose. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at room temperature.
  • Dough will be dotted with bubbles and much looser/wetter than it was the day before. This is normal! Generously flour a work surface- I recommend parchment paper to make this process really simple, but you can also work on a cutting board or silicone mat and then transfer your dough to a piece of parchment before baking- and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and very gently fold it over on itself once or twice. If your dough is super loose here, like so loose you can’t even form it into a ball, it’s more of a blob, you can generously flour so it doesn’t stick to your hands. Let rest about 30 minutes.
  • While dough is resting, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Put a covered 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Pick up parchment paper with dough (blow off excess flour sitting on parchment if you need to) and place directly in pot. Cover with lid and bake 35-40 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 10-15 minutes, until loaf is golden and browned.

Keywords: Bread, Artisan

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45 responses to “Easy Overnight Artisan Bread”

  1. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Do you use “Active Rise” or “Dry” yeast?
    I’ve never used yeast before.

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      We use active dry – which is instant yeast in this recipe. No need to put in water to hydrate it.

      1. Bob Cardone Avatar
        Bob Cardone

        Hi Derek love the website. I am completely new to baking bread and the above question about the yeast has confused me you say we use active dry which is instant yeast but aren’t those two different types? Thanks again

      2. Derek Birch Avatar

        Great question Bob, as far as yeast goes you are correct, active dry yeast is not the same as instant yeast. Active dry yeast needs to be activated before using by combining it with water and at times a sugar to begin the activation process. Instant yeast can be added directly to the dough and activates instantly while you are creating the dough itself. Thanks for reaching out with that questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help. Excited for you to start your bread baking journey! I promise you will not regret it. I always tell people that if you run into issues, don’t get discouraged because i don’t know any new or experienced baker that hasn’t learned by experiencing failure’s during the process.

  2. Alison Flynn Avatar
    Alison Flynn

    No kneading?

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      Nope – no kneading required!

  3. Wayne Mills Avatar
    Wayne Mills

    This recipe is absolutely amazing thank you kindly for sharing your recipes I and my family 🇬🇧🇺🇸love em 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

  4. Stefanie Sarro Avatar
    Stefanie Sarro

    I have a very similar recipe and the rise time is only 2 hours. What does the longer rise time do to the dough? Thanks

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      The longer it sits – the longer it ferments and gives a depth of flavor. It is the closest thing I make to sourdough without it actually being sourdough. But you can for sure let it rest shorter & cook.

  5. Lois Avatar
    Lois

    I can’t wait to try this. Can it remain in the fridge for up to 24 hours

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      Yes – it can. Are you referring to before or after baking it?

  6. Colleen Avatar

    Should the dough rise over the first rest?

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      A bit. The biggest one is letting it rest overnight. You don’t need to let it rest/rise overnight but it lets it ferment and gives it a great taste! If you don’t have that kind of time – I would let it rest at least 2 hours and then bake.

      1. Gianna Avatar
        Gianna

        can i bake in glass dish with lid ?

      2. Derek Birch Avatar

        Yes – you can. That should work as well!

  7. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Is the salt vital or optional as I am on a reduced salt diet!

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      No – you will just get a different taste profile. I say go for it!

  8. Colleen Randal Avatar
    Colleen Randal

    I love this recipe. I actually double it. Do you have any advice for me – I live at 5000 ft and wonder if I should change anything????

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      We live at around 5200 ft and this recipe works for us every time! Let me know if you have any issues that I can help with though!

      1. Art Avatar
        Art

        How about at 6400 ft in elevation?

      2. Derek Birch Avatar

        Depends on weather (moisture in the air as well) but you should reduce the amount of leavening (yeast), increase liquid and flour, and adjust oven temperature (higher by 15-25 degrees). Have you tried it as the recipe calls for yet?

  9. Vat Avatar
    Vat

    For tropical countries do we rest the dough in the fridge?

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      You can! The fermentation process is what takes place over night. It will still work if you refrigerate it. I would leave it in a cold oven for a few hours before baking it though to help it raise.

      1. Lisa Avatar
        Lisa

        Can you add things to this dough before asking such as cheese, roasted garlic cloves, rosemary? If so about how much? Thank you.

      2. Derek Birch Avatar

        Yes! Absolutely you can add it! I would add it just before baking on your last folds. Depends on what you are adding as to how much – but I love to experiment and try new things all the time!

      3. Cindy Buckley Avatar
        Cindy Buckley

        Does it need to be a Lodge brand and can it be up a 6 Qt or should it be smaller?

      4. Derek Birch Avatar

        Nope, you can use any brand you would like. I love cast iron as it creates a even bake throughout and it could be smaller as well. Try out different sizes. Thanks for the questions.

  10. Leanne Gatcum Avatar
    Leanne Gatcum

    Do you think it would be possible to bake this in the oven without a pot/lid?

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      You can but I would put a pan underneath it with water to help steam cook it. The lid would normally help with making the crust but if you add the water – it will help steam cook it.

  11. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    It doesn’t seem like much yeast. Can you comment on that?

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      True – it may not seem like enough but we’ve made it many many times and it comes out perfectly the same each time. The fermenting process helps with that aspect.

  12. Brandy Avatar
    Brandy

    I don’t have a cast iron, enamel, or ceramic baking pan. Can I use stoneware?

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      Yes! Stoneware needs to be heated up prior but it will work great.

  13. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    Made this twice now. It’s a super reliable recipe. The second time I mixed it all up in a wooden salad bowl instead of my usual metal bowl. It rose better on the second attempt bc it wasn’t in a cold metal bowl… or this is my impression.

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      So glad to hear about your successes with this recipe! That would makes sense the differences in rising and its reaction to cold. Thank you for sharing!

  14. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    I made it looked exactly as you described it after setting over night the dough more than doubled however, when I baked it, it came out real small and flat the crust was very hard. What did I do wrong

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      Hmm, doubling in size is typical after it has sat overnight but the end product baking so small and flat crust is a mystery. Can I ask how you baked the bread in the oven after it sat overnight? I always preheat my dutch oven before I add the dough to bake covered so it is critical that you are adding your dough to a super hot dutch oven that can be covered. Let’s see if we cant figure out what happened.

  15. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    made it just now in one of those Römertopf ceramic pans w a lid. a longish loaf. Turned out beautifully.

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      So glad you had a great experience making this bread! Thats a great pan. If you ever make it again I would love to see the result! Well done and thank you for sharing!

  16. Angela Norton Avatar

    What make is your cast iron pot please .

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      Hi, Thanks for asking. Here is the link to the exact cast iron pot I use. It is my absolute go to for any artisan bread I make. Its perfect for this type of bread!

      https://amzn.to/3CPvk15

      1. Cindy Buckley Avatar
        Cindy Buckley

        But can it be larger, some say they bake their bread in larger ones! Has me a little bit confused!

      2. Derek Birch Avatar

        You totally can! Depends on the shape you’d like it to be in the end. You could use larger or even if you wanted loaf shape – use a bread loaf pan.

  17. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    I’m confused. I have Active Dry Yeast and I have rapid rise instant yeast.
    the recipe says instant yeast which should I use. thank you.

    1. Derek Birch Avatar

      Your instant yeast (rapid rise) works. 🙂

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