No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread

5 from 5 votes

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No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread is an easy homemade bread recipe! A crusty, dense bread with lots of flavor. Very easy with no kneading and cooked in a Dutch oven. Great for soups, Italian, sandwich bread, and as a side.
Top view of a loaf of No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread with rosemary on it

This No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread is a simple homemade bread that does not require any kneading!

Top view of a loaf of No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread with rosemary on it

Why You Will Love This Recipe

I am a lover of homemade, fresh bread. The smell of this homemade rustic bread and yeast is just intoxicating.

But I am also not a fan of kneading or complicated bread recipes. I mean, I will do it if I want the bread, but I would prefer not to.

This easy homemade bread recipe is my go-to homemade bread recipe because it is SO simple to make.

To make this rosemary bread, all you need (“knead” lol) to do is mix everything together, let it sit, and bake it. That is literally it.

It has never NOT worked for me.

No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread is a sturdy, dense bread, much denser than French bread, which I love. It holds up well to being buttered, used as garlic bread, or doused in sauces and soups without disintegrating. 

A No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread loaf half sliced on a wood board

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you need for homemade rustic bread:

Regular all-purpose flour works perfectly in this recipe. No reason to use bread flour!

Using instant yeast in this recipe allows it to be no-knead!

All ingredients in a bowl and water being poured in

Equipment

To make this recipe, you will need:

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Large Bowl
  • Plastic Wrap or Bees Wax Wrap
  • Dutch Oven

Instruction Overview

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.

The dough after being mixed in a clear bowl
Dough after mixing will be thick

Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 8-36 hours, ideally overnight.

The dough after rising and ready to bake
Dough after resting overnight

Preheat oven.

Pull the dough out of the bowl and shape it roughly into the shape you want to bake it in.

After preheating for 30 minutes, add some flour to the bottom of the pot and place the dough in.

Bake with the lid on for 30 minutes.

Remove the lid and continue baking 15-30 minutes until the crust is a golden brown.

Let cool completely before slicing.

Sliced of No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread up close

Modifications and Substitutions

I have made the bread with 1 cup of whole wheat flour and the rest all-purpose, and it turned out great. It just rose a little less. I would not recommend swapping out for more whole wheat with this specific recipe as it can be very dense and tough.

You can have fun with this rustic bread recipe and use different flavors. This rosemary version is my absolute favorite so far, but I also love my lemon thyme rustic bread!

Kim’s Tips

You want to make sure to use a plastic wrap or bees wax wrap on top of the bowl, not just a towel. Just a towel could let moisture escape and absorb, which could negatively affect the dough.

If you do not have a bees wax wrap set, I highly recommend it. It is a reusable plastic wrap of sorts that is made from bees wax. It is very effective and I love the eco-positive value of it. 

I mix up the dough the day before I want to use it, any time of day, and just let it hang out.

No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread loaf half sliced on a wood board

FAQs

Is it cheaper to make your own bread?

Yes! It is cheaper and often healthier as it is made with simple and fresh ingredients, without preservatives.

What is rustic bread made of?

For this recipe you need all-purpose flour, water, instant yeast, salt, rosemary, and black pepper.

How long does rustic bread last?

The bread is best when eaten within three days. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
It can be chilled to extend shelf life however will become a little tougher.

Can I bake the bread with a resting time less than 8 hours?

I have not tried this, but as long as it looks similar to the image above after the dough has rested, you could try it!
If it still looks thick, dry, and low in volume, it has not risen enough and will be tough.

No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread loaf from the top view
Pin of No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread loaf from the top with title
Top view of a loaf of No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread with rosemary on it

No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread

No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread is an easy homemade bread recipe! A crusty, dense bread with lots of flavor. Very easy with no kneading and cooked in a Dutch oven. Great for soups, Italian, sandwich bread, and as a side.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Bread, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Passive Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 1 large loaf
Calories: 1397kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons dried rosemary
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups water

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. The dough will not be overly sticky but should come together. Add just a little water at a time if needed to incorporate all the flour.
    3 cups all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon instant yeast, 1 ½ Tablespoons dried rosemary, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 ½ cups water
  • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and put a towel over the top to help it seal. Set the bowl aside for at least 8 hours to rise (I have gone as long as 24 hours).
  • When ready to bake, heat oven to 450°F. Place a large cast iron pot (Dutch oven) on the medium or medium low rack while preheating for it to get hot.
  • Use a spatula to scoop the dough into the hot pot. (If preferred, shape the dough on the counter during preheating but I find it is easy to drop the dough in a rough circle straight into the pot).
  • Place the lid on the pot and cook at 450°F for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and let cook an additional 15 minutes to further brown. If it looks or smells done sooner, remove from oven sooner.
  • Let the bread cool completely on a cooling rack.

Notes

This makes one large loaf of rustic bread, which is much more dense than a French bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1loaf | Calories: 1397kcal | Carbohydrates: 291g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3518mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 18mg

More Homemade Bread Recipes

By on April 1st, 2020

About Kim

Kim has grown up with a passion for cooking good food! You can find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, making dog treats, and eating Italian food!

More posts by this author.

8 thoughts on “No Knead Rustic Rosemary Bread”

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is pretty much fool proof. The prep only took five minutes and the cook time was spot on. My house smells amazing and I’ve already had three slices. I would highly recommend this, especially for a novice or anyone light on time. Can’t wait to make another for my family this weekend!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I tried making a recipe that had a lot of ‘exacts’. Knead the bread for 7 minutes. Put the yeast in this temperature water. Coat it in this much oil. Safe to say? That recipe was a totally gooey flop. This recipe? Completely foolproof! Makes a beautiful, crusty bread with a wonderfully moist center. A nice, gentle taste, it’s amazing! This is going right in my recipe book!

    Reply

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