Description
Crusty, rustic no-knead crockpot bread emerges as a simple kitchen miracle that brings warmth and comfort to your table. Home bakers can easily create golden, artisan-style loaves without complicated techniques, promising delicious results with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Yeast:
- 3 cups (710 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons / 6.6 grams) active dry yeast
Liquid and Fat:
- 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) warm water
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
Optional Toppings:
- herbs
- seeds
- cheese
Instructions
- Combine flour, yeast, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry components.
- Pour warm water and olive oil into the flour mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive, shaggy dough emerges.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface, folding and pressing gently to create a uniform texture without intense kneading.
- Return the dough to the original bowl, drape with a clean cloth, and allow it to rest in a draft-free zone for approximately 60 minutes until it visibly expands.
- Tenderly shape the risen dough into a rustic loaf, ensuring minimal handling to preserve its airy structure.
- Lightly grease the crockpot’s interior, then nestle the dough into the center, positioning it centrally for even heat circulation.
- Cover and set the crockpot to high temperature (approximately 200°F), allowing the bread to bake for 2-3 hours until a golden crust forms and the loaf sounds hollow when gently tapped.
- Delicately extract the bread from the crockpot, transferring it to a wire cooling rack to prevent moisture accumulation and maintain its crisp exterior.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to preserve its delicate internal structure and optimal texture.
Notes
- Allow the dough to rise in a draft-free, warm spot like a sunny windowsill or near a warm appliance to ensure optimal yeast activation and bread volume.
- For a crispy crust, briefly broil the bread in the oven for 2-3 minutes after crockpot cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Gluten-free bakers can substitute regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend, adding 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
- Enhance flavor by incorporating herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano directly into the dough for a gourmet twist on this simple bread recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 141
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 192 mg
- Fat: 3.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg