Here’s a Rustic No-Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread — crusty on the outside, soft and chewy inside, with deep rosemary-garlic flavor 🍞🌿🧄
(No mixer, no kneading, minimal effort.)
Rustic No-Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread
Makes 1 round loaf
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp instant or active dry yeast
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1½ tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
(or 1½ tsp dried) - 1½ cups warm water (not hot)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, adds tenderness)
Instructions
1. Mix the dough
In a large bowl, stir together:
- Flour
- Salt
- Yeast
- Garlic
- Rosemary
Add warm water (and olive oil if using).
Stir with a spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
➡️ No kneading needed.
2. First rise (slow = flavor)
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a towel.
- Let rise at room temperature 12–18 hours (overnight is perfect).
- Dough should be bubbly and doubled in size.
3. Shape
- Turn dough onto a well-floured surface.
- Fold edges over itself a few times to form a rough ball.
- Place on parchment paper, cover lightly, and rest 30–45 minutes.
4. Preheat
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place a Dutch oven with lid inside while heating (very important).
5. Bake
- Carefully place dough (on parchment) into hot Dutch oven.
- Cover and bake 30 minutes.
- Remove lid and bake 10–15 more minutes until deeply golden.
6. Cool
- Transfer to a rack and cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Tips for Perfect Rustic Bread
- Dough should be wet and sticky — that’s correct
- Longer rise = better flavor
- Don’t skip preheating the Dutch oven
- Bread sounds hollow when tapped = done
Variations
- Cheesy version: add ½ cup grated Parmesan or Asiago
- Extra garlic: rub hot crust with a raw garlic clove
- Olive bread: add ½ cup chopped olives
- Whole wheat: replace 1 cup flour with whole wheat flour
Serve with
- Butter or olive oil + sea salt
- Soups, stews, pasta
- As garlic bread for dinner
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A same-day faster version
- A no-Dutch-oven method
- Or how to turn this into rosemary garlic focaccia
Just tell me 😊