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3 Ingredient Artisan Bread

This no-knead artisan bread is the easiest bread recipe you’ll ever make! You only need one bowl and 3 simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners! 

Artisan bread in a towel.
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3 Ingredient Bread Recipe

Homemade bread is seriously pure comfort and a staple in my home. The very first recipe I ever made from scratch was my homemade white bread, which my family adores. I’ve made many more over the years, like my homemade bagels, homemade french bread and whole wheat bread.

You seriously won’t find an easier bread recipe than this! It comes together with only 3 ingredients (I don’t count water as an ingredient) and is perfect for beginner bakers along with my delicious dinner rolls. There’s no kneading required and the dough can be made in one bowl. Plus it only takes minutes to prep just like Irish soda bread.

I shaped this bread into a French Boule (circle), but this dough can easily be made into a French baguette, rolls, pizza dough, or ciabatta. It’s super versatile and a recipe you’ll want to save for when you just have a few ingredients on hand.

Easy Artisan Bread Ingredients

This is an art form of bread! It is crispy, and crunchy on the outside with a soft inside. Every bite is warm and comforting. These ingredients are pantry staples. Make this easy bread recipe quickly and easily!

Artisan bread ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • All-purpose flour: Make sure to sift or use a spoon to add the flour to the measuring cups. This will help the homemade artisan bread raise properly and makes chewier bread. You make need a little more when you knead bread too.
  • Kosher salt: This helps slow down the growth of the yeast as well as adds flavor. You will need to let the dough rise longer because there is no sugar in the ingredients to help build the yeast.
  • Dry yeast packet: Instant yeast or active dry yeast works great to help the dough rise when mixed with water.
  • Warm water: Get your water up to 105°F. This will activate yeast to raise the dough.

How to Make Artisan Bread

Only 3 main pantry ingredients to make this homemade artisan bread. Prepare a work surface to make this bread perfectly. It is beautiful and delicious!

The process of making artisan bread in a six step photo collage.
  1. Make the dough. Add salt and yeast to a large bowl, then pour the warm water on top. Add the flour in all at once, then mix together. I used a dough whisk, but feel free to use a spatula, wooden spoon, or even your hands. The dough will still be sticky once it’s mixed together, but this is what you want.
  2. Cover and let rise. Cover the bowl with a towel until the dough doubles in size. This will take about 2 to 3 hours, however the longer you allow it to rise the better. You can leave it on the counter to rise for up to 12 hours. Once it rises, you can prepare to bake or cover the bowl with saran wrap and stick it in the refrigerator to bake later. It will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  3. Shape the dough. Dust your hands with flour, then lightly turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into your preferred shape, ensuring not to punch it down or knead it. I like to shape mine into a French boule (round circle). Or shape it into 2 loaves and tuck the ends under. Add a light dust of flour on top, then use a bread knife to make about 1 to 4 lines across the top.
  4. Let rest again. Line a pizza peel, skillet, or pan with parchment, then lightly sprinkle flour on top. Add the dough and let rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Bake in the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F. You want the bread to cook on a hot surface, so place a baking stone, pizza stone, or flipped-over iron skillet into the oven. Let it warm in the oven for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats.

Cooking Tips

Get ready to learn all about the tips and ways to make this artisan bread the best. Bake this homemade bread in different ways, measure it perfectly, and patiently wait for the bread to rise before baking. All these great things will add up to the best artisan bread!

  • Double it! You can easily double this recipe to make an extra loaf and freeze it for later.
  • Baking stone. If you don’t have a baking stone, you can turn a cast iron skillet or baking sheet upside down and place it in to then to heat up.
  • Parchment paper. Use parchment paper to easily slide the dough ball onto the hot skillet in the oven. The bread will cook on parchment paper.
  • Measure perfectly. Knowing how to measure flour accurately can make a big difference in texture.
  • Raise. The longer you let it rise, the chewier the bread will be. You can let it rise on the counter for up to 12-18 hours and up to a week in the refrigerator. I prefer to make it the night before I bake it.
  • Small loaves. Split the dough in half if you’d prefer to make 2 smaller loaves. This recipe makes about a 9-inch loaf.
  • Crusty crust. If you don’t have a broiler pan, stick a cup of water in a small oven-safe pan or toss in about 5 ice cubes to help keep steam in the oven. This will create a crusty crust.
  • Storing. Store in a paper bag so it doesn’t soften.
Artisan bread with a slice of bread taken out.

What to Serve with Artisan Bread?

Artisan bread is perfect on its own with a little bit of butter or jam or warm out of the oven. Cook your favorite soup, mix together a salad or use it as sliced bread for a sandwich. The possibilities are endless!

Recipe FAQs

What is artisan bread?

Artisan bread is a leaner formulation with low sugar and fat level compared to other types of bread. There is little to no use of dough conditioners and high or low hydration levels. It is known to be good for you compared to other bread recipes.

How is artisan bread different from regular bread?

Artisan bread is known for its shape, texture, and appearance. It has a special flavor and aroma that is comforting with a sweet and savory taste.

Are artisan loaves of bread healthier for you?

If you are making a whole-grain handmade artisan loaf, then yes, it is a bit healthier. It contains a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and other ways to help reduce the risk of diabetes among other health benefits.

Handing holding artisan bread.

5 star review

“This is the best recipe! I couldn’t be happier with the results. My family loved this, and it was so easy to make. I will make this time and time again. There is something so comforting about a warm slice of home made bread.”

-Molly

Ready to make more bread recipes? Try making your own pita bread, fry bread or dutch oven bread!

More Homemade Bread Recipes

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sliced artisan bread on cutting board

Artisan Bread Recipe

4.97 from 201 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This no knead artisan bread is the easiest bread recipe you'll ever make! You only need one bowl and 3 simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners! 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Video

Ingredients 

  • 3 cups (395 grams) all-purpose flour , or bread flour
  • ½ Tablespoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ ounce instant or active dry yeast packet , or 2 1/4 teaspoons
  • 1 ½ cups warm water , 105°F

Instructions

Make dough:

  • Place the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Then pour the warm water (about 105°F) over top, making sure it's not too hot. Then you can use a dough whisk, spatula, wooden spoon or your hands to mix together. The dough should still be somewhat wet and sticky, but add more flour if it's too sticky to handle.
  • Once the flour is all mixed in, cover with a towel or plastic wrap spayed with nonstick spray for 2-8 hours, or you can leave on the counter overnight. The longer you let it rise, the better. You can leave it on the counter to rise for up to 12 hours.

Shape:

  • Generously flour your hands and turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. The dough will be sticky. Do not punch it down, knead it or roll it out. Gently work the dough into your preferred shape. I typically work it into a French boule (round circle) or 2 loaves and tuck the ends under.
  • Lightly dust the top with flour and then use a bread knife to add 1-4 lines across the top.

Bake:

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a baking stone, a pizza stone, dutch oven or a iron skillet into the oven. You'll want the bread to cook on a hot skillet, so let it preheat for about 20 minutes. Place a piece of parchment paper onto a pizza peel or the bottom of a skillet or pan. Lightly flour and then place the dough on top and let it rest about 20-30 minutes.
  • Slide the dough with the parchment paper underneath onto the hot stone. Quickly place either 1 cup of hot water in a small broiler pan or 5 ice cubes into the bottom of the oven and shut the door to trap the steam. Then bake for 25 minutes or until browned.
  • Allow to cool on a cooling rack for at least 20 minutes. Slice the bread and serve. Store in a paper bag so it doesn't soften.

Notes

Tip: If the dough feels too stick to shape, add a little more flour at a time. Then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes (this will make the dough easier to handle) before shaping. At this point you could also refrigerate for up to one week if you want to bake later.
The longer it rises, the chewier it will be. It can rise on the counter for up to 12 hours and up to a week in the fridge. 
Smaller loaves: If making loaves, split the dough in half. It will make 2 smaller 9-inch loaves. 
Dutch oven: Here is my favorite dutch oven bread recipe that is similar and made in the dutch oven. 
Storage: Store in a brown bag on the counter up to 3 days once cooled. You can also place in a freezer safe bag and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, allow the bread to come to room temperature on the counter.  

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: bread
Cuisine: French

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