3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe
If you have ever dreamed of making bakery-quality bread at home without a laundry list of ingredients or complicated techniques, this 3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s delightfully simple, requiring just flour, salt, and yeast combined with warm water, yet it produces a crusty, flavorful, and tender loaf that tastes like it took all day to prepare. This recipe proves that sometimes the best things come in the simplest packages, and it’s the perfect project to impress yourself, your family, or surprise your friends with fresh homemade bread whenever you want.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are pantry staples but each plays a crucial role in transforming these few items into a wonderfully crusty and airy artisan bread. Understanding their purpose will help you appreciate each step of the process even more.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your bread, this flour provides the gluten structure that creates that satisfying chew and open crumb texture.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt: Essential for flavor enhancement and controlling yeast activity, salt balances the overall taste perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast: This tiny amount is enough to gently leaven the dough over a long fermentation, building flavor and creating air pockets.
- 1 1/2 cups warm water: Activates the yeast and brings the dough together, helping develop the perfect sticky, shaggy consistency.
How to Make 3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
Start by combining the all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast in a large bowl to ensure they are evenly distributed. Then pour in the warm water and stir gently until you have a shaggy, sticky dough. Don’t worry about kneading at this stage; the texture should be rough and a little messy—that’s a sign you’re on the right track.
Step 2: Let the Dough Rise
Cover your bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and leave it out at room temperature to rest for 8 to 12 hours. This slow fermentation is where magic happens—it allows the yeast to develop deep flavors and the dough to almost double in size, becoming bubbly and airy.
Step 3: Prepare Your Oven and Dutch Oven
Half an hour before baking, preheat your oven to a high 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven inside as it heats up, which will create the intense, even heat and steam environment needed for a perfect crust.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Once your dough has risen, lightly flour your work surface and carefully turn the dough out without deflating it too much. Shape it gently into a round ball by folding the edges toward the center—no need to knead. This delicate shaping helps maintain the air pockets.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
Transfer the dough ball onto a piece of parchment paper and carefully place it inside the preheated Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes, which traps steam essential for a crispy crust.
Step 6: Finish Baking
Remove the lid to let the loaf brown and develop its beautiful golden crust, baking it for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it during this phase—the crust should turn deep golden and crisp.
Step 7: Cool Before Slicing
Once baked, remove the bread and transfer it to a wire rack. Letting it rest for at least 15 minutes allows the interior to finish setting so that when you slice it, it holds together beautifully without being gummy.
How to Serve 3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe
Garnishes
This bread is a blank canvas begging to be paired with toppings. A drizzle of good olive oil, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme added just before baking or on a slice after baking add wonderful bursts of flavor.
Side Dishes
Its crunchy crust and chewy crumb make it perfect alongside rich soups, creamy cheeses, or tangy spreads. Pairing it with a warm bowl of tomato soup, a sharp blue cheese, or a fresh herb butter elevates your meal to something special without much effort.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing this artisan bread thickly and toasting it for rustic bruschetta or cut into cubes and tossed with garlic and herbs to make garlic croutons. You could also hollow out the center for a charming bread bowl to serve stews or dips.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a paper bag to keep the crust from becoming soggy. Stored at room temperature, it will stay fresh for up to two days, perfect for sandwiches or toasting the next morning.
Freezing
If you want to keep this delicious 3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe longer, freeze the whole loaf or sliced pieces in an airtight freezer bag for up to three months. Just be sure to cool it completely before freezing to avoid condensation.
Reheating
The best way to bring back that perfect crust and warmth is by popping the bread in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes. If reheating sliced bread, a toaster or toaster oven works wonderfully as well.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
You can swap in whole wheat flour, but since it absorbs more water and develops gluten differently, you may want to adjust the water amount and expect a denser loaf with a nuttier taste.
Do I need to knead the dough?
No kneading is required for this recipe! The extended rise time allows gluten to develop naturally, making the process easier and more forgiving for beginner bakers.
Why is the dough so sticky?
The stickiness is normal and important for creating the open crumb structure associated with artisan bread. Resist the urge to add too much extra flour, which could make the bread heavy.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, but active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water first and may require a longer rise. Instant yeast works faster and can be mixed directly with dry ingredients, making the process even simpler.
What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can use a heavy oven-safe pot with a lid or create steam by placing a tray of water in the oven. This moisture is key to a crispy crust.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about baking your own bread, especially with a recipe as simple and satisfying as this 3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe. It makes you feel connected to tradition and gives your kitchen the irresistible aroma of fresh-baked goodness. Give this recipe a try, and you might just find yourself making bread on repeat because it’s that easy, that delicious, and that rewarding.
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3 Ingredient Artisan Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 9 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This simple and rustic 3 Ingredient Artisan Bread recipe yields a crusty, golden loaf with minimal ingredients and effort. Using just all-purpose flour, salt, instant yeast, and water, this bread requires no kneading and relies on a long fermentation to develop flavor and texture. The dough is baked in a preheated Dutch oven to create a perfect artisan crust, making it an ideal homemade bread for beginners and busy bakers alike.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the warm water and stir with a spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours, or until it has doubled in size and is bubbly.
- Preheat the Dutch oven: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven with its lid inside to heat thoroughly.
- Shape the dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and gently shape the dough into a rough ball without kneading it, preserving the air bubbles.
- Prepare for baking: Transfer the dough ball onto a piece of parchment paper for easy handling, then carefully place it into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover with the lid to trap steam.
- Bake covered: Bake the dough covered for 30 minutes to develop steam and a soft crust.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the bread is deep golden brown and crusty.
- Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to finish setting the crumb.
Notes
- Using warm water (around 100°F/38°C) activates the instant yeast optimally.
- Do not knead the dough; the long fermentation creates gluten development and texture.
- If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use any heavy lidded oven-safe pot or bake on a baking stone covered with an inverted metal bowl to trap steam.
- Allow the bread to fully cool before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
- Store leftover bread in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days; freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
