Easy No-Knead Homemade Bread
This simple bread is soft inside, crusty outside, and made with basic pantry ingredients — no eggs, no butter, and no kneading needed.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 packet instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
1½ cups warm water
Optional
1 tablespoon olive oil for a softer texture
Extra flour or cornmeal for dusting
Instructions
Mix the dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add warm water and stir with a spoon until a sticky dough forms.
Let it rise
Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap. Leave it at room temperature for 1–2 hours, until doubled in size.
Shape the bread
Sprinkle flour on the counter and gently fold the dough a few times. Shape into a round loaf. No kneading needed.
Second rise
Place dough on parchment paper or a floured baking tray. Cover and let rest 30 minutes.
Bake
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Extra Crispy Crust Tip
Place a small pan of hot water on the bottom oven rack while baking to create steam.
Budget Variations
Add garlic powder or herbs for flavor
Mix in olives or cheese
Use half whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf
Fresh homemade bread with almost no effort — and usually cheaper than store-bought bread.
