Basic No-Knead Bread Recipe and Add-Ins for Flavorful Variations

Baking bread at home is more than just following a recipe; it's about creating an experience. The warm smell of bread baking can transform your kitchen into a cozy haven. Plus, there’s an incredible sense of accomplishment that comes from making something from scratch. A basic bread recipe is just the beginning. It opens the door to countless variations that let you experiment with flavors and textures. In this post, we will go over a simple bread recipe alongside some fantastic add-ins to help you make your loaf truly stand out.

Basic Bread Recipe

Making a simple bread dough is straightforward and requires only a few key ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour and some for dusting

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 ¼ teaspoons)

• 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)

  
  

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough

   In a large bowl, mix:

   • Flour

   • Yeast

   • Salt

   Add water and stir until everything is mixed. The dough will look wet and sticky (like thick batter). Adjust with a little more flour or water if needed.

2. Optional: Add-ins

   At this stage, you can mix or fold in any add-ins (like cheese, herbs, or olives). It’s easier to do this on the counter than put the dough back in the bowl afterward.

3. Let It Rise

   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a plate. Leave it on the counter for 2–3 hours until it doubles in size and looks bubbly and jiggly. If it’s not rising after an hour, move it to a warmer spot.

4. Optional: Refrigerate for Better Flavor

   You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days. If doing this, let it sit out for 45–60 minutes before baking to take the chill off.

5. Preheat Oven

   Put a Dutch oven (with lid) in your oven and heat to 230°C / 450°F (220°C if using fan) about 30 minutes before baking.

6. Shape the Dough

   Sprinkle flour on the counter. Scrape out the dough and sprinkle a little flour on top. Fold the dough inwards about 6 times to shape it roughly into a ball.

7. Place on Paper

   Put a sheet of baking/parchment paper next to the dough. Flip the dough onto it so the smooth side is up. Gently reshape if needed.

8. Bake

   Carefully place the dough (with the paper) into the hot Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 12 minutes until golden and crisp.

9. Cool

   Let the bread cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

   
   

This basic recipe is your blank canvas.

Flavor Variations

Now that you have your bread base ready, let’s explore some vibrant and exciting ingredients that can elevate your bread to another level:

Savory Flavors

• Garlic, Cheddar, and jalapeno – Fold in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder, and 20 diced slices of pickled jalapenos.

• Olive & Herb – Add 1/2 cup chopped kalamata or green olives and 1 tbsp Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, basil).

• Sun-dried Tomato & Basil – Chopped 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed and drained) + 2 tbsp fresh basil or pesto.

• Herb & Feta - Mix in 1 cup feta, 2 Tbsp dried parsley, and 1 Tbsp dill.

• Mango & habinaro - 1/2 cup diced fresh mango, 1 diced habinaro, 1 tbsp honey, and zest of 1 lime.

 Sweet Flavors

• Cinnamon Raisin – Mix in 1 cup raisins and 2 Tbsp of cinnamon sugar.

• Orange Cranberry – Mix in 1 cup dried cranberries + 1 Tbsp orange zest, and replace 1/2 cup of water with orange juice.

• Honey Walnut – 1 cup chopped walnuts and a couple of Tbsps of honey.

• Maple Pecan – 1 cup chopped pecans and a couple of Tbsps of maple syrup.

• Cherry & Chocolate Chunk – Mix in 1 cup cherries and 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips.

• Raspberry & White Chocolate - Add 1 cup white chocolate and 1 cup raspberries.

Bold & Unique

• Caramelized Onion & Gruyère – Fold in 1 cup caramelized sweet onions and 1 cup Gruyère cheese.

• Beer & Mustard Seed – Use beer instead of water and mix in 2 tbsp whole mustard seeds.

• Pumpkin Spice – Add a few spoonfuls of pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (great for fall).

• Curry - Mix in 2 Tbsp curry powder, 1 diced onion, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 diced red bell pepper.

• Pineapple & Coconut - Add 3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained, and 1/2 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened depending on your taste). Replace 1/2 cup of water with full-fat coconut milk.

• Apple pie - Mix in 2 Tbsp apple pie spices, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, and dice or shred 2 apples.