The BEST Dutch Oven Bread

Published: Jul 19, 2024 by Deborah Rainford · This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

Make fresh homemade bread easily with this Dutch oven bread recipe. With simple steps and minimal ingredients, you can bake a crusty loaf with a soft interior, perfect for any level of baker.

Dutch oven bread on a white table with a baking cloth.

This bread is perfect for dipping in soups or stews like this beef and ale stew, this lentil and bacon soup, or this broccoli and stilton soup. You can also try my 2-ingredient naan.

Jump to:

⭐️ Why this recipe works
🧾 Ingredients overview
👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it
📖 Variations
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
❓Recipe FAQ's
The BEST Dutch Oven Bread

⭐️ Why this recipe works

Simple Ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples like flour, salt, and yeast.
Perfect Crust: Dutch oven traps steam for a crispy, golden crust.
Flexible Proofing: Can adjust rising time based on your schedule.
Beginner-Friendly: Easy-to-follow steps suitable for novice bake
Cost-Effective: Homemade bread at a fraction of the shop price.

🧾 Ingredients overview

ingredients for making no-knead bread all ingredients from Aldi.

Strong Bread Flour: Provides structure and chewiness.
Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast fermentation.
Active Dried Yeast: Leavens the bread, creating air pockets.
Warm Water: Activates the yeast and hydrates the dough.
Honey: Feeds the yeast and adds a hint of sweetness.
Extra Flour: Used for dusting and preventing sticking during kneading.

For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it

Dutch Oven Bread recipe step-by-step

Step 1 & 2 making no-knead bread using Aldi ingredients.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the bread flour, salt, and yeast until well combined.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a measuring jug, mix the warm water and honey until the honey is completely dissolved.

Step 2 & 3 making no-knead bread using Aldi ingredients.

Mix Dough: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the water-honey mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the Dough: Flour your work surface generously. Transfer the dough to the floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when pressed.

Step 5 & 6 making no-knead bread using ingredients from Aldi UK.

First Rise: Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200ºC. Place an empty cast iron Dutch oven (with its lid) into the oven to preheat as well.
Shape the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Shape it into a round ball with the seam side down.
Prepare for Baking: Place the dough onto a large piece of baking paper. Carefully lift the paper and transfer the dough into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover with the lid.
Bake Covered: Bake for 25 minutes with the lid on, allowing the steam to create a perfect crust.
Finish Baking: After 25 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the crust is crisp.
Cool the Bread: Carefully lift the bread out of the Dutch oven using the edges of the baking paper. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack. The bottom of the bread should sound hollow when tapped.

📖 Variations

Flour: Substitute up to half of the strong bread flour with strong whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavour.
Sweetener: Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for different flavor notes.
Add-Ins: Mix in herbs, garlic, cheese, or seeds during the initial mixing for added flavor.

💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips

Drawing on a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, I have compiled my top tips for recipe success.

Steam Creation: For an extra crispy crust, spritz the dough with water before baking.
Scoring: Slash the top of the dough before baking to control expansion and create an artisan look.

🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers

Fridge: Store the cooled bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezer: For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: To refresh the bread, warm it in a 175ºC oven for 5-10 minutes, until the bread is soft and the crust is crispy.

❓Recipe FAQ's

How can I tell if the bread is fully baked?

The bread should be golden brown, and the bottom should sound hollow when tapped. An internal temperature of 90°C also indicates doneness.

Why is my bread dense?

Dense bread can result from under-kneading, insufficient rising time, or using too much flour.

Can I make this bread without a Dutch oven?

Yes, you can use a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid or a baking stone with a metal bowl inverted over the bread to trap steam.

How do I know if my dough has risen enough during the first rise?

The dough should double in size. You can also perform the "poke test": gently poke the dough with your finger; if the indentation remains, it’s ready.

Why is my bread not rising properly?

Ensure your yeast is fresh and active, the dough is kept in a warm environment, and the dough has enough time to rise.

Looking for more easy bread recipes like this? Try these:

If you tried this Dutch Oven Bread please let me know in the comments below, and please leave a star rating while you're there!

For more recipe ideas, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and join our exclusive Facebook group.

For meal planning assistance, check out our weekly Aldi-only meal plans, free for subscribers.

Craving more comfort food? Visit our sister site, Salted Mint, for easy, delicious recipes with everyday ingredients.