Are you looking for an artisan bread recipe that’s easy to make and has that perfect crusty bread texture? Meet our Dutch oven bread recipe! It’s got a beautiful crust and artisan bread appearance, but it takes only about 30 minutes of active time. It’s baked in a Dutch oven to get that crispy crunchy exterior. And the flavor? It’s got a very light tang from some Greek yogurt, and it’s the perfect texture for making sandwiches. I like to call it “cheater’s sourdough” because it’s way less work than sourdough and just as delicious. Because Alex and I are so enthusiastic about the merits of home bread baking, we’ve made a video tutorial too. Bring on the bread!
Video tutorial: Dutch oven bread
This Dutch oven bread is very easy to make: the only tricky part is shaping the dough into a beautiful loaf shape. Because it’s difficult to describe in words, we’ve created a video tutorial to walk you through it! Here I am in our kitchen showing you how to make it! Subscribe to A Couple Cooks TV (YouTube) for our weekly cooking videos!
Dutch oven bread ingredients
To make the best Dutch oven bread, you’ll need a handful of very specific ingredients. To ensure you get perfect results every time, it’s crucial that you follow the recipe exactly as written. For this Dutch oven bread recipe, you’ll need:
All-purpose flourBread flourWhole wheat flourKosher saltInstant or active dry yeastPurified waterGreek yogurt
Note that we’ve successfully made bread in a Dutch oven using plain coconut yogurt as well, so it’s possible to make this bread vegan if desired.
How to make artisan Dutch oven bread
Now, Alex is the bread baking master in our household, and he’s created this simple method for people (like me!) who might not be up for the labor of sourdough. As I mentioned, I like to call it “cheater’s sourdough” because it’s way less work than sourdough and just as delicious. It takes very little hands on time: most of the time in the recipe is waiting for the bread to proof and bake. For this recipe, you’ll need a stand mixer and a Dutch oven. Here are the basic steps for baking bread in a Dutch oven.
Mix the dough (10 minutes). Our recipe uses three types of flours to get that perfect artisan bread flavor and texture, and it’s a Greek yogurt bread recipe to bring a slight tang. You’ll use a stand mixer to knead the dough since it’s too sticky to knead by hand.Proof the dough (about 1.5 hours). Allow the dough to double in size in a warm place. We typically use our oven proof setting, and cover our bread in reusable plastic bag.Shape the dough (5 minutes). Shape the dough into a loaf shape. It’s easiest to watch the video above for this part!Proof the dough again (30 minutes). Allow the dough to rest again, this time at room temperature. Start preheating the oven with the Dutch oven inside.Bake the dough (40 minutes). Place your bread directly into the Dutch oven, and bake for 17 minutes. Then remove it, reduce the oven temp, and bake for another 23 minutes.
That’s it! You’ll find this bread tastes AMAZING, and has the perfect crispy crust and soft interior. It’s definitely a favorite in our family. And we love that the texture is just perfect for sandwiches. Are you ready for baking bread in a Dutch oven? Head to our recipe below.
Can I add seeds or grains to Dutch oven bread?
We haven’t tried adding grains or seeds to either the top of this Dutch oven bread or mixed into the dough itself. If you’re craving a seedy bread, we recommend making our No Knead Artisan Multigrain Bread. It’s also very easy to make and tastes amazing!
Can I freeze no knead bread?
Yes, this no knead artisan bread freezes incredibly well. You can either freeze the entire loaf, or pre-slice the loaf and freeze it that way (this method works well if you plan on using it for sandwiches over a period of time). Just note that you’ll need to freeze this bread in a freezer bag, otherwise it may get freezer burn or dry out once frozen.
Our recommended Dutch oven
If you’re interested in trying artisan Dutch oven bread, we assume you already have a Dutch oven! But if you’re looking for a Dutch oven or an upgrade, here are the Dutch ovens that we use and recommend:
Lodge 6 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven This is the best dutch oven for bread, in our opinion! We use it to bake this Dutch oven bread and our sourdough bread recipe and it works like a charm.Staub Dutch Oven 5.5 Quart We also have this Staub Dutch oven, our workhorse Dutch oven that we use for everyday soups, risottos and more. The 5 quart size is perfect for a large batch of soup or chili.
Required tools
Making Dutch oven bread requires just a few more tools outside of a Dutch oven! We’ve linked to the exact tools that we used in the video, but you can use whatever suits you! We hope you’ll try out our method for how to bake bread in a Dutch oven: let us know if you try it and what you think! Let us know @acouplecooks or in the comments below. And one last thing: this bread is perfect slathered with butter and a bit of Homemade Strawberry Jam (just a tip!).
Looking for more Dutch oven recipes?
If you love baking bread in a Dutch oven, here are a few more recipes you’ll enjoy:
Sourdough Bread, SimplifiedRoasted Cauliflower RisottoHow to Cook Dried Beans in a Dutch OvenClassic Vegetarian ChiliHomemade Vegetable BrothChipotle Black Bean Tortilla Soup
This recipe is…
This artisan Dutch oven bread is vegetarian and has a vegan, dairy-free and plant-based variation (see below). 4.5 from 4 reviews
