Herb-Infused No-Knead Bread

🕒 Prep: 5 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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Welcome to the world of homemade bread with a herby twist! This Herb-Infused No-Knead Bread is a perfect blend of simplicity and aroma, bringing a touch of gourmet to your everyday meals. It's an incredibly easy way to fill your home with the scent of fresh herbs and warm, fresh-baked bread.

Ingredients for Herb-Infused No-Knead Bread

The foundation of this bread is all-purpose flour, providing the perfect texture for a crusty yet tender loaf. The active dry yeast is the magic that makes it rise, giving the bread its airy lightness. We add salt for flavor balance, while olive oil lends richness and helps keep the crumb moist. The stars of the show are the fresh rosemary, thyme, and basil, which infuse the bread with their earthy, aromatic flavors. Finally, warm water brings it all together, activating the yeast and forming the dough.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a Dutch oven with a lid to trap steam, ensuring a perfectly crusty loaf.
  • If you find the dough too sticky to handle, lightly flour your hands and work surface.
  • For a more intense herb flavor, increase the quantity of herbs slightly.
  • Make sure your water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pairs wonderfully with a hearty soup or stew. Slice it thick and serve with a drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt for a simple appetizer. It's also excellent as a base for bruschetta or topped with avocado and a poached egg for a savory breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can. Use about half the amount if substituting dried herbs for fresh.
What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?
An oven-safe pot with a lid will work as a substitute. Just make sure it can withstand high temperatures.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
It's possible, but you would need a gluten-free flour blend specifically designed for yeast baking.

Herb-Infused No-Knead Bread Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and combining your flour, salt, yeast, and chopped fresh herbs — rosemary, thyme, and basil. Give them a good mix with a wooden spoon or your hands. Now, pour in the warm water and olive oil. Stir everything together until you have a sticky, shaggy dough. Don’t worry if it looks messy; it’s supposed to!

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature. This is the part where patience is key — you’ll need to let it rest for 12 to 18 hours. This slow rise allows the flavors to develop beautifully.

When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place your Dutch oven inside to heat up for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, punch down your dough to deflate it slightly. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball.

Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven, and with caution, place the dough inside. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Afterward, remove the lid and let it bake for another 15 minutes to achieve that desirable golden brown crust.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Minimal effort with maximum flavor — no kneading required!
  • Perfectly crusty on the outside, soft and aromatic on the inside.
  • Infused with fresh herbs for a flavor that's both rustic and refined.
  • Ideal for beginner bakers looking to impress without stress.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, yeast, rosemary, thyme, and basil.
2. Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a Dutch oven inside to heat for 30 minutes.
5. Punch down the dough, shape it into a ball, and place it on a floured surface.
6. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven and place the dough inside.
7. Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Remove lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

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