Description
This Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread is a fragrant, rustic loaf infused with fresh garlic and herbs, baked to perfection inside a Dutch oven for a crispy crust and soft, airy interior. Perfect for home bakers seeking an easy, no-knead artisan bread with savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme), chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast until evenly mixed.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the warm water, minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs until all ingredients are just combined forming a wet dough.
- Rest the dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours to develop flavor and fermentation.
- Preheat oven and Dutch oven: Towards the end of resting, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place your Dutch oven with its lid inside the oven to heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Dutch oven: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and drizzle the bottom with olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Shape the dough: Transfer the dough onto a generously floured surface and gently shape it into a round ball without deflating all the air bubbles.
- Bake with lid on: Place the shaped dough into the preheated Dutch oven and cover with the lid. Bake for 30 minutes to create steam, contributing to a crispy crust.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the bread is a deep golden brown color on top.
- Cool before slicing: Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to finish the set crumb and preserve texture.
Notes
- Use warm water, about 100°F (38°C), to activate the yeast without killing it.
- You can experiment with different herbs like oregano, basil, or parsley according to your taste.
- Do not open the oven or Dutch oven during the first 30 minutes of baking to keep the steam inside for a better crust.
- Allowing the dough to rest for a longer period intensifies the flavor development.
- Ensure the Dutch oven is very hot before placing the dough inside to achieve the best crust texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Dutch oven bread, garlic herb bread, no-knead bread, homemade artisan bread, garlic bread, herb bread, easy bread recipe
