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    Home > Breads

    Artisan Bread Recipe

    Published: Jul 13, 2020 · Modified: Aug 21, 2022 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Go to Video Print Recipe
    Round loaf of artisan bread on a wooden board

    A beautiful Artisan bread with a soft interior and a light crispy crust.
    Using 5 ingredients, this bread is easy to make. I'll share the secret to getting a lovely craggy top WITHOUT having to slash the bread with a knife. This recipe uses a Dutch oven, but I'll show you how to get great results without one too.
    Lazy lunches with soft, warm, crusty buttered bread or serve it toasted for breakfast, slathered in jam. It really is the best.

    Artisan bread on a wooden board against a dark background

    I've finally cracked the code to making bread that not only tastes fantastic but looks so pretty too!
    And now I can't stop making it.
    Well, actually I have stopped making it for a little while because I ran out of flour and yeast.
    But hopefully, it will arrive with my next shopping delivery 🤞

    After a whole lot of testing, I'm sharing all of my tips to get the best possible result.
    As a heads-up this bread:

    • Does need kneading - but you can use your food mixer with a dough hook if you have one. If you REALLY don't want to knead then I've included some info in the tips at the bottom of the post so you don't have to do it.
    • A Dutch Oven will give you the best, most even and perfect light crunchy exterior. I've included info in the tips below on alternatives and what to expect (including pictures) if you don't have a Dutch Oven.
    • A bread proving basket will substantially improve the Artisan look of your bread (that lovely flour ring pattern on the bread) and will help you to achieve that lovely craggy top. But again, I'll talk about what to do if you don't have one in the tips below.

    What do we need?

    Ingredients for making Artisan Bread on a wooden table

    How to make this Artisan Bread

    Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    • Add the yeast, sugar and warm water to a large bowl and leave for 5 minutes, until the yeast starts to foam.
    • Add the flour and salt. Mix together until fully combined, then knead for 10 minutes using the dough hook attachment on your food mixer, or knead on an oiled work surface using your hands.
    • Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and prove for 1 hour - until doubled in size.
    6 image collage showing initial steps for making Artisan bread at home
    • Tip the dough onto a well-floured surface and shape the dough by grabbing a piece from the outside and pulling it into the middle.
    • Continue this, pulling the dough in all the way around until the dough no longer wants to stick in place (see the video for a visual on this).
    • Turn the dough over, finish off rounding it out and place in a well-floured proving basket or floured bowl - SEAM-SIDE-DOWN. Cover and prove for 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, preheat a Dutch Oven in the oven.
    • Tip the dough out of the proving basket onto a piece of baking parchment, so it's SEAM-SIDE UP and carefully lower the bread into the Dutch oven, holding onto the edge of the parchment.
    • Place the lid on top and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for a further 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
    8 image collage showing final steps for making artisan bread at home
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing and serving.
    Homemade artisan bread slice open and slice spread with butter

    What to serve it with

    • Simply eaten slightly warm with salted butter ❤
    • Make a special breakfast with Nutella French Toast
    • As a dipper for one of my many Soup Recipes
    • As a side to Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagne
    • As the all-important wrapper to my Korean Steak Grilled Cheese
    • As the base for my upgraded Avocado and Egg on Toast

    Overhead image of a loaf of homemade artisan bread on a wooden board

    Why use a Dutch Oven?

    The thick sides and base of a dutch oven help to ensure even baking of the bread, whilst also providing a sealed environment to trap in steam. It's this steam that helps bread to rise to it's full potential (with a little support from the sides of the pan).
    The steam helps to prevent the crust from setting on the bread right away. If the crust sets immediately, then the bread can't rise and you get a heavy, dense loaf.
    Ensuring the crust stays soft initially helps the bread to continue to rise so you get a lighter, softer bread.
    The lid is removed for the last 10-15 minutes of baking to allow that crust to crisp up and turn beautifully golden. 
    Leaving the lid on would result in paler bread with a chewier, rather than crisp, crust.

    Can I use a regular pan?

    Yes, you can use a large (approx 25cm/10" diameter), oven-proof pan with a well-fitting lid.
    As the sides aren't as thick, and the lid isn't as heavy as a dutch oven, you will get slightly different results.
    I've done a comparison image below. The middle column of images shows bread baked in a regular pan.

    • You can see it didn't rise quite as high
    • The seams in the bread didn't open out quite as much
    • The crumb texture is a little more dense.

    This is likely because more steam was able to escape from the pan, so the crust of the bread set a little more quickly.
    It still tasted great, just slightly less fluffy.

    Can I cook in the oven, on a tray, without a pan?

    Yes you can, but you'll need to add steam into the baking process. 
    For this:

    • Add a large dish of boiling water (at least an inch deep) to the base of the oven for the first 30 mins of baking.
    • Then carefully remove the dish of water to allow the crust to crisp up for a further 10 minutes.

    As you can see in the comparison image below, the column on the right shows the results of baking the bread free-form on a flat baking sheet, with a water bath in the oven.
    The bread rises more unevenly, and is more dense in some parts.

    The seam still opened up quiet nicely (the steam from the water bath helps with that) and the flavour was still very good, but the bread was a little more dense and the crust was more crunchy - this is likely because the bread is exposed directly to the heat of the oven, rather than being protected in the pan.

    9 image collage showing difference in baking bread in a dutch oven, a regular pan or freeform

    Why use a proving basket?

    I love to use a proving basket to get that lovely stripy flour pattern on the bread.
    It also helps the seam of the bread to open up more during baking, as the seam isn't as constrained during the second prove as it would be if it was placed in a flat bowl.
    So you can do your second prove in a large bowl that's been floured, but it won't get those nice rings and it will be a little flatter on top.
    It will still taste great though, and will still have a crisp exterior and fluffy interior if baked in the dutch oven.

    Why do second prove seam-side down?

    Those folds/seams we made when shaping the bread will end up as the top of the bread, as you'll be tipping the bread out (to land the other way up) onto baking parchment.
    Those folds will open up slightly as the bread is baking, leaving you with a lovely slightly craggy crispy top. I got this tip from Life as a Strawberry and it works great!
    Baking the loaf seam-side up also means you don't need to slash the bread with a knife to get an 'Artisan' look to the bread. I hate slashing bread, as I always worry I'm going to knock the air out of it, or I find the knife sticks and I have to drag it back out.
    Added bonus: If you use a proving basket, this gives those folds a little more room (so they're not quite as compacted) during the second prove, so you'll get more of a craggy top.

    More Bread Recipes

    Enjoy making your own bread? Try these too:

    • Brioche Rolls
    • Homemade Chapati
    • Ale Bread Rolls
    • Fruit Soda Bread
    • Dough Balls (with spinach and bacon dip)
    • Homemade Bao Buns
    • Cheese and Tomato Garlic Pizza Bread

    Watch how to make it

    Stay updated with new recipes!
    Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).

    Square image of a round loaf of bread on a wooden board

    Artisan Bread Recipe

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    A delicious Artisan bread with a crispy crust and a soft interior. I'll show you how to get that craggy crust with or without a Dutch oven.
    4.97 from 26 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Resting time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Bread, Breakfast, side dish
    Cuisine British, French
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 156 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 7 g (2 tsp) Instant yeast
    • 5 g (1 tsp) sugar - - caster or superfine
    • 300 ml (1+¼ cups) warm water - - slightly warmer than lukewarm, but not hot
    • 450 g (3 + ¾ cups)plain (all-purpose) flour - PLUS ½ cup (60g) for dusting and shaping the bread
    • 8.5 g (1 + ½ tsp) salt - (regular table salt/Kosher salt)

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Add the yeast, sugar and warm water to the bowl of your stand mixer, or to a large bowl. Leave for 5 minutes, until the yeast starts to foam.
    • Add the flour, then the salt. Mix together using the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer, or mix together with your hands until fully combined.
    • Using the dough hook, knead the dough on a medium setting for 10 minutes. If you want to do this with your hands, oil the work surface and your hands with a little olive or vegetable oil, and knead for 10 minutes. It will be a sticky dough - this is fine.
    • Once kneaded, place the dough in an oiled bowl (wiped with a little olive or vegetable oil). Cover with clingfilm or a wax wrap and prove for 1 hour - until doubled in size.
    • Sprinkle the work surface with ¼ cup (30g) flour and tip the dough out onto the flour. You'll probably need to use your hands to tease it out of the bowl, as it will still be quite sticky. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of the flour.
    • We DON'T want to knock the air out of the dough at this point. We simply want to shape the dough by grabbing a piece from the outside and pulling it into the middle.
    • Continue this, pulling the dough in all the way around until the dough no longer wants to stick in place (see the video for a visual on this). You may need a little more flour to prevent it sticking.
    • Then turn the dough over and use your hands just to finish off rounding it out.
    • Place the dough in a well-floured proving basket or floured bowl - SEAM-SIDE-DOWN.
    • Cover with clingfilm or a wax wrap and prove for 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, place a dutch oven (approx 25cm/10" diameter) in the oven and preheat the oven to 230C/450F.
    • When the dough has finished its second prove, remove the cover, take a long piece of parchment or greaseproof paper and place on top of the bowl.
    • Gently tip the bowl upside-down the dough ends up on the paper.
    • Very carefully take the hot Dutch oven out of the oven and remove the lid (leave a tea-towel on top of the lid, so you don't forget it's hot and grab the lid without thinking).
    • Use the edge of the baking parchment to carefully lower the bread into the Dutch oven. Place the lid on top and carefully place back in the oven.
    • Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for a further 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing and serving.

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    Can I prove it overnight?
    Yes, do the first prove covered, overnight, in the refrigerator, then remove from the fridge, shape and do the final 30-minute prove at room temperature (ensure it's a warm room or warm area of the room) before baking.
    Can I skip the kneading process?
    Kneading really helps the gluten development, which will make the bread softer and with a better rise and more 'spring'.
    If you don't want to knead the dough, you'll need to prove the dough overnight (rather than for an hour) to give the gluten more time to develop.
    See instructions above for proving overnight.
    How long will it last?
    The bread tastes at it's best if eaten in the first 24 hours.
    If you know the whole loaf is going to be eaten quickly (within 10 hours or so) there's no need to cover the bread. Just place on the chopping board cut-side down (presuming you've already cut into it). This will help to keep the crust nice and crispy.
    If you know you want to make the bread last until the next day, then wrap in foil once cooled and store are room temperature.
    The bread will still be good for up to 2 days, but it gets less soft after 1 day.
    Can I freeze this bread?
    Yes, once cooled, slice the bread and freeze, then defrost individual pieces at room temperature.
    Can I use regular active dry yeast or fresh yeast instead of instant yeast?
    Yes:
    Replace the 2 tsp (7g) instant yeast with 2.5 tsp (9g) active dry yeast.
    OR
    Replace the 2 tsp (7g) instant yeast with 2tbsp (18g) of fresh yeast.
    Why are you not using bread flour?
    I find that plain (all-purpose) flour gives a slightly thinner but crustier exterior than bread flour. This gives it more of an artisan feel.
    Bread flour has a higher protein content, - which makes the dough more springy and chewy, with a thicker, chewier crusty.
    You can replace with bread flour if you prefer. If you do, you'll need to add about 2.5-3 tbsp more water - as the bread flour absorbs more water.
    Nutritional information is per slice (approx 12 slices in this bread).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 293mgPotassium: 54mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 6mgIron: 2mg
    Keywords 5 ingredient bread, all year round, crusty bread, How to make artisan bread
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More

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    1. Sunday says

      April 01, 2023 at 2:12 pm

      4 stars
      Since the video recipe is different than the written I tried both. I prefer 3 cups flour not 3 1/4 and I use two tsp of yeast not one tsp as the video suggests.
      Both variations were good.

      Reply
    2. Plum says

      March 18, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      Such a good recipe omg!! such clear instructions and the video was so much help and for my first time making this type of bread it was so so helpful, will be recommending and reusing this recipe!!

      Reply
    3. Sur says

      March 12, 2023 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      It’s so good. My go to..

      Reply
    4. Ginny says

      February 18, 2023 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this bread. I do have to comment that the flour and yeast measurements are different in the video. The video calls for 3 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of yeast with the liquid being the same in both recipes. My first loaf following the on line recipe dough was extremely stiff but still came out tasting great. The second loaf I followed the video recipe. The consistency of the dough was more like the video. Unfortunately I didn't taste the second loaf as it was a gift for my neighbours. I will make this again as it was easy. But I will follow the video recipe.

      Reply
    5. Georgia Mae says

      February 05, 2023 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and easy. I used bread flour so I added a little bit more water like it said in the notes. I also added fresh rosemary and oregano to the dough. It came out fantastic! My Dutch oven lid is only heat proof to 350° so I baked it at 350° for 40 minutes rather than 30 at 400°. When it was time to take the lid off, I finished it off at 400°.

      Reply
    6. Nigel perry says

      January 20, 2023 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      Never fails. I baste mine with butter when the Dutch oven lid comes off!

      Reply
    7. Sarah says

      December 22, 2022 at 10:57 pm

      Could you use multigrain flour in this recipe?

      Reply
    8. Cindy Rinus says

      December 18, 2022 at 7:46 pm

      Absolutely delicious. This was my first bread adventure and it came out beautifully.

      Reply
    9. Michael Bramblett says

      December 10, 2022 at 12:18 am

      It did not come out sticky at all. First time making bread. Still proofing but any suggestions??

      Reply
    10. Lorraine Kaloczi says

      November 19, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic!!!

      Reply
    11. Leslie Burks says

      November 08, 2022 at 10:33 pm

      I’m in the process of making this now. I printed the recipe and followed it exactly, the dough is on it’s first rise now. Then I watched the video to see how to do the folds. I noticed in the video you say 1 tsp of yeast, the recipe states 2. You also say 3 cups of flour, the recipe states 3 & 3/4 cups. My dough was not sticky. I’m anxious to see if it’s going to turn out, but I’m curious which recipe measurements are correct - the written ones, or the ones in the video?

      Reply
    12. Melanie says

      November 06, 2022 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      Followed recipe
      Half knead in the mixer and my little girl hand knead the other half. My daughter loves tactile things so perfect recipe for her.
      We loved it and was so nice to eat with just butter

      Reply
    13. Jules says

      September 21, 2022 at 11:32 am

      I just tried this, it's currently rising in the kitchen. I followed the recipe and my dough, well it wasn't even dough it was so dry! I had to add far more water. I'm hoping I've managed to get it to the right consistency 🤷 Looks like a decent recipe so I'm really hoping it works out. Xx

      Reply
      • Beth G says

        November 24, 2022 at 4:51 am

        5 stars
        I followed the recipe to a T and it is currently cooling. The bread feels heavy like and crust is hard. I hope that is normal and can't wait to try it

        Reply
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