Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F–115°F)

Instructions

1. Mix the Dough
   In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and yeast. Stir in warm water until fully incorporated. No need to activate the yeast—just mix and let time do the work.
2. Let It Rise
   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 12–24 hours. The dough should be bubbly and sticky when ready.
3. Preheat the Oven
   Set your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a Dutch oven inside while the oven heats up.
4. Shape the Dough
   Flour your hands and lightly dust the dough. Gently shape it into a rough ball. Optionally, place it on parchment paper for easy transfer.
5. Bake the Bread
   • Remove the hot Dutch oven and carefully place the dough inside. Cover with the lid.
   • Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until golden brown.
6. Cool & Serve
   Carefully remove the bread from the pot and let it cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Substitutions

• If your dough feels dry, add a little more water—it should be sticky.
• For added flavor, mix in dried fruit, seeds, herbs, or cheese with the flour.
• No Dutch oven? Use a metal pot with a lid or tightly cover a heatproof pot with aluminum foil.
• To check doneness, tap the bottom—if it sounds hollow, it's ready! An internal temperature of 200°F ensures it's fully baked.

Nutrition