My dough didn’t rise.
- No knead dough doesn’t rise like standard yeast breads, it only puffs up and gets bubbly. It will be a little bigger after the resting time but don’t look for a much larger volume.
- Your yeast may not be fresh and should not be used past the expiration date. Even with a good expiration date, yeast has a short shelf life once a package is opened. Even with the small packets, once it’s opened, yeast should be tightly sealed and kept in the freezer, not refrigerated.
- Your water may have been the wrong temperature. For the faster method, hot tap water is usually around 125 to 130°F. Anything hotter than that is too hot. And boiling water is definitely out. For the overnight method, cold to room temperature water works.
- You changed the recipe. It’s best to follow the recipe exactly for the first time. That way you know it works. Don’t change the recipe the first time, paying attention to every detail. You can get creative later on.
My dough was too dry.
- You did not aerate your flour before measuring. Flour always settles in the bag or container and must be aerated before measuring; otherwise, you will be using too much flour. To aerate flour, using a large spoon or spatula, stir the flour around to incorporate some air.
- You measured the flour incorrectly. To measure flour, use a flat-topped measuring cup, gently spoon the aerated flour into the cup until it’s mounded above the rim and level off the excess with the back of a knife. Do not tap the cup or the container of flour.
- You changed the recipe.
My dough was too runny.
- You used too much liquid or not enough flour. Use a cup specific for measuring liquids, have it on a flat surface and view it at eye level to make sure your liquid is at the correct line.
- You sifted the flour before measuring, which would cause you to use less flour than required.
- You changed the recipe.
My bread wasn’t cooked inside.
- Your oven (and pot) were not preheated long enough. Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven has reached 450°F. It can take over half an hour.
- You sliced it too soon. After bread is removed from the oven, it will continue to cook inside. It’s best to let it cool completely before slicing (I know it’s hard to wait!)
Can I make it with Gluten-Free flour?
- Well…. you can make it with gluten free flour but you may not like it. I tried it and the loaf was smaller and more dense and chewy, without the traditional big holes and it didn’t taste anything like the original recipe. I tried it once but nobody wanted to eat it.
I don’t have a Dutch oven.
I have only made this bread in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven (Le Creuset) so I can not recommend something I have not tried. By doing a little research and reading through the comments here, people say they have used:
- a glass pyrex dish with a lid
- a stainless steel pot with a lid
- a clay baker
- a springform pan with an aluminum foil top
- a pizza stone with a stainless steel bowl cover
- a black cast iron pot with a lid
Keep in mind that any lid must be tight fitting because you need to create steam inside the pot and the lid should have an oven-proof handle (not plastic). Your pot will need to hold at least 3 quarts but 5 to 6 quarts is most common.
Doesn’t hot water kill the yeast?
No. Hot water does not kill yeast. Today’s yeast is more sturdy and accommodating than years ago and can tolerate water or liquid up to 130°F. The killing point for yeast is 140°F. (average tap water comes out at about 120-125°F – my tap water is 127°F)
Parchment paper: Parchment stuck? Don't have parchment paper?
If your parchment paper stuck it’s from using an inferior brand. Reynolds brand will never stick. If you can not get Reynolds brand you need something to lift the dough and place it in the Dutch oven. You can try using a well floured kitchen towel to transfer the dough, letting the dough roll off the towel into the hot pot. Do not leave the towel in the pot, only use it as a means of lifting the dough. Do NOT use wax paper in a hot oven. It will melt onto the bread and it will be ruined. I don’t use a towel because my dough always sticks to the towel. Parchment paper makes the job super easy but inferior papers can stick. I always use Reynolds brand – it never sticks.
How Do You Aerate Flour?
Flour must be aerated before measuring because it often settles in the bag or container making it heavy and compact, resulting in too much flour being measured. Aerating basically means fluffing it up and is not the same as sifting. Flour should not be sifted before measuring unless the recipe states to do so. Otherwise sifting will result in too little flour being measured.
If you dip into flour without aerating, you will be getting too much flour and your dough will be too dry. To aerate flour you simply stir it around with a spoon before measuring. To measure, be sure to use a flat-topped dry measuring cup. You can see how I aerate flour in my Easy One Bowl Chocolate Cake video: https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/easy-one-bowl-chocolate-cake/
After aerating, there are two ways to measure the flour: 1) Scoop & Level – Gently scoop the flour up with a spoon and sprinkle it into your measuring cup until it’s mounded above the rim. Do not tap the cup or the container of flour. Finally, level off the excess flour with the back of a knife. 2) Dip & Level – Gently dip your measuring cup into the flour until it’s mounded above the rim and level off the excess flour with the back of a knife. A properly measured cup of flour weighs 4 1/4 ounces.
Hi! I made your version and the dough was very loose and I couldn’t understand why. I am baking it anyway. Other recipes only call for less water. I am cooking it and will advise on the outcome. Maybe the water amount required should change. Thankyou!
Mickey
I wanted to try this recipe with an Emile Henry long covered baker and it came out perfect. With just a little tweaking to get the shape. Great.
Jenny, you are the best with this winning recipe! This is my second year making this delicious loaf for Sunday spaghetti nite. I have been trying to make a crispy crust Italian bread all my married life. Now my children and grandchildren are making it. Thank you for the even faster method when time is needed. I found I can slice this bread for sandwiches easier the next day if I place in the frig overnight.
I made this with Whole Grain-Whole Wheat flour. It came out OK, but very dense. Do i need to adjust the water or yeast content?
Please see my other variations using whole grains.
I was so worried that when I moved from a beach town to the high mountains ( California ski country ) that I wouldn’t be able to bake. This recipe worked so well and the bread is so amazing that I can stop buying it altogether! Plus, it makes the house smell wonderful and amazes my neighbors who have said they gave up baking.
How would you suggest re-warming the bread? I cooked it last night, but I’m not planning on eating it until tonight. Thank you!
I must admit before I continue on, although I am a pretty good cook and a decent baker, I am petrified when it comes to the bread thing. That said, I have decided to give it a go!
I have a generic brand 4 qt. enameled cast iron Dutch oven, and a 9 1/4 Le Creuset. Can this recipe work in the 4 qt., as the Le Creuset is HUGE! BTW, Thanks for all of your videos and wonderful recipes Jenni. I’ve been a fan way before the cooking videos. 👩🏼🍳
Four quart is the better size as long as the Dutch oven is rated for 450°F.
Can I use your recipe and instead of dry yeast use a tablespoon of my sourdough starter? For a sourdough loaf?
Has anyone tried a gluten-free version for this? If you have what flour or flour combination worked best for you?
I tried. See my No Knead Bread Solutions in the FAQs.
Love this recipe. Sometimes I add fresh rosemary and garlic to kick up the flavor. Tonight I am making it to serve with linguine with a basil alfredo sauce and grilled chicken. Thank you for the amazingly easy recipe for no fail to die for fresh baked bread!
This was wonderful. My three Great Grandkids and myself really enjoyed making this together. Thank You Miss Jenny
My oven is already hot (from pies) and my bread is ready.What do I do?
You have to preheat the Dutch oven.
Thanks Jenny.Just left the Dutch Oven a little longer.Now I have only one piece of bread left! Yummy.Love your videos and recipes.Have made all of them.
I tried the 3 hour loaf today and it turned out perfect. I will try some add ons and maybe a bit of sugar. It was a hoot. Thank you !
Hi Jenny,
Great recipe. Just wondering, can I score the loaf with my Lame knife? Just like the looks of scoring bread. Thx in advance.
Regards,
Michael
Can I use rye flour for this?
See my rye version.
Today I used your recipe again but added sugar. I’m dying to find out how it turned out.
So easy. Soooo easy on the eyes. More importantly, soooooooo delicious!
Thank you for the share!
Thanks for this recipe! I made this bread exactly as written & the bread came out fantastic. I have a heavy enamel cast iron Dutch oven (the French one) but was not sure the lid knob was good for 450f so I used a heavy stainless steel soup pot w lid & it came out perfect. Didn’t have to change time or temp. Thanks again!
We loved it!!! The texture and flavor of this bread is amazing. Thanks
I am still very disturbed over the baseball. Poor guy…
Can this recipe be doubled? I want to take it to my mother’s house but need more. We are a big family.
Yes. I’ve used this recipe for years only it was given to me doubled.
So bummed. I followed directions to the tee and the dough was too dry. Felt like it needed more water. 🙁
I have the opposite problem I always have to add more flour because it always looks like pancake batter lol
I’ve made this twice. Doing every step exactly – down to measuring my tap water temperature (right where it needed to be). And neither time did the dough rise, even just a little, nor did I get bubbles. It seemed like the mixture was way too dry..??? Second time I baked it anyway, and it came out beautiful on the outside, but heavy and dense and way under cooked on the inside…?? Help!!!!
Please see the FAQs.
When salt and yeast come in contact it’ll retard or kill the yeast, after measuring the flour pour yeast on one side and salt on the other then combine with water.
Correct! What I do is add the yeast to the warm water in one bowl. In a second bowl add salt to aerated flour and mix. Then put the water and yeast liquid in the dry ingredients bowl and mix. This was suggested in an artisan bread recipe I used years ago for low elevation baking.
First of all, I’d like to start by telling you I have the same name as you. At least my maiden name is Jones. :). I make this bread at least once a week but usually twice. I love your video and your personality. Not to mention how good you look! Must be all this wonderful cooking you do! Anyway, the bread comes out perfect every single time. I cook big Italian meals for my big family several times a week and this bread is always what I serve with it. So glad I found your YouTube channel. I’m trying your cinnamon bread recipe this week!
Lots of love!
Hi Jenny,
Was wondering could I use a 5qt Pot Or do I need a Dutch oven pot?
Also love all your recipes, tried more than half and I love them all they are the best 🥰
Thank you, love your #1 fan
My bread was heavy and the crust on the bottom was like leather.
When I say heavy I mean that it was thick almost like it could have baked
another 10 minutes.
What did I do wrong?
Love your bread Jenny it’s so good omg 😲 love making toast with this bread. Told my dad about your bread he loves it too. So easy to make as well 😁. Keep doing your great on you tube 😍 it take care.
Turns out just like the recipe states!!….crusty on the outside…soft on the inside…my new favorite!
I made this bread last night to have with dinner (stew), and it was a hit. Today my grandbabies had some topped with jelly…. they LOVED it ! I have just a bit left, so i will be making more this week. I am thinking of dividing the dough and baking in two small loaf pans to make a more kid sandwich friendly shape and size (slice up and keep for only that). BUT I prefer this cast iron / parchment paper method though, so good with apple butter, peanut butter, nutella, dip in soup, toasted and cut up in cubes and used as croutons for soups, dips or salads, OR rubbed with garlic and slathered in butter, or dipped in olive oil or to lap the sauce off dish after a saucey, creamy, or gravy dinner. Two things I MIGHT alter from time to time. Brush with butter durring 2nd half of baking and sprinkle with either cheese, salt, shucked pumpkin or sunflower seeds, minced onion, or garlic. Maybe add a bit more salt or a bit of sugar to recipe. OR add sausage and mozerella cheese to mixture to make a sausage bread. Or tomatoes to make a tomato bread ….or… ….. oh, i dont have to tell you anymore, i think you get it. Right now gonna butter up a slice, add a tiny pinch of salt and dunk in my hot coffee 😉 Mema 💛
Funny side note. AFTER i made the bread and was cleaning around my garbage can, i realized the empty yeast packet missed the can when i went to throw it away, i picked it up and read it … Ha Ha Ha … i apparently had grabbed and used an EXTREMELY old packet of yeast that must have kept getting put to the bottom of my yeast packets. How old you ask …….. 2006, and believe it or not, my bread still rose and looked EXACTLY like Jenny’s when it was done. The “Yeast Fairies” were kind to me yesterday…..
I used an old yeast pack from 2015 and added a fresh one. We will c how it turns out
After mixing and letting the dough rise, I was sure it wasn’t going to work. No bubbles!
I continued the process regardless (in for a penny…) and was delighted when I pulled a loaf out of my oven a short while later!
Thank you for this recipe- it was exactly what I was looking for!
can whole wheat flour or other grains be used?
See my other variations.
How do you keep the bottom from getting so hard and sometimes burn’t tasting?
I have tried to make bread before, but it was never edible. I made this today and ate the WHOLE THING. Will make great poboys
Thanks
Hello Jenny,
Will this work with a ten grain flour or does it have to be white flour. I wouldn’t mind a little bit of difference in the way it turns out just wondered if you think it’ll work with the rest of the ingredients and that flour?
Thank you
I will use a half cup of multigrain flour and the balance bread flour for my bread and it turns out great.
Could I bake this Recipe in my breadmaker?
You are so cute. I love watching and learning from you. Would you ever consider a tour of just part of your beautiful farmhouse.
God Bless
Jan Glendale AZ
Can I cook this in a Instant Pot?
Not to cook, but let it rise in the instant pot. Put it on yogurt setting for 3 hours and it is ready to cook in the oven.
I add a little bit of water into the hot dutch oven before adding the dough so there’s a bit of a steam effect, which is what gives bakery breads a nice, crisp crust
Tryed i tryed the recipe YESTERDAY my bread turned out GREAT thanks for the RECIPE I will diffently make this again.
I’ve never made bread. Found it intimidating. But gave it a try. Turned out wonderful. Now I want to make another loaf and add Italian seasoning, black olives , and sun dried tomato pieces. Will this work out as well so good?
I add fresh Jalepeno and cheddar and it turns out great. So mix in work well.
I just made this with whole wheat flour, and it came out great. It was super simple, and delicious, and costs less than one dollar to make! My house smells heavenly. I may do this everyday. One question, does WW flour make a denser loaf than white flour would?
https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/no-knead-whole-wheat-bread/
https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/faster-no-knead-whole-wheat-bread/
Thanks so much!
I’ve made both and the wheat in much dencer. But, so delicious! Try it, you will like it!
Thank you. The wheat was wonderful, and I’m planning to try white bread in a few days.
I know on the second rise and while oven is heating up you let the bread dough rest in a parchment lined bowl for 35 minutes. My question what is the longest you can let it rise on the second rise? Many thanks. I Havre made 24 hour bread many times but this is a little different.
I have let it sit as long as an hour and it turned out fine.
Can I make the no knead bread using partly whole wheat flour?
Gigi,
I’ve made this bread with 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 2 cups of white flour. It needs a little more water (1-3/4 cup) and produces a slightly denser, richer bread with somewhat smaller bubbles. Perfect for sandwiches. I also tried adding seeds (sunflower, e.g.) which worked out quite well. Happy baking
I love the idea of adding sunflower seeds to the bread !
Hi there,
How could we baking bread without oven? I have no oven.
In a Camping Dutch oven place over hot coals out doors pre heat as described, with charcoal briquettes on top and below inside a fire ring or a burn pit outdoors.
When cooking with Dutch Oven outdoors over briquets . And here is a link to a dutch oven amount of hot briquets charts with temps. https://www.campingforfoodies.com/dutch-oven-temperature-chart/
YOU ARE AN AWESOME LADY I LOVE TO WATCH YOU COOK–I HAVE MADE THIS BREAD AND IT IS A HIT!!!–ESPECIALLY WHEN I COULD FIT IT IN MYSCHEDULE IT IS SO EASY–THANK YOU–RUTH
I cooked this fabulous bread and it is beautiful! When it cooled, I sliced it and it tasted very salty. The bottom was VERY tough to slice through. It has a great consistency, crunchy outside and chewy inside, just like I wanted. I cooked it in a 75 year old cast iron dutch oven but I didn’t preheat it. Was that my problem? I will definitely make this again because it’s so easy! Your help would be great! Thanks in advance?
Just folllow the recipe exactly, which includes preheating the Dutch oven and it will turn out.
Greetings! Knowing your oven temperature is very important, so invest in an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy and adjust your oven dial accordingly. Make sure your Dutch oven is resting on the center rack so that it doesn’t get more heat on the bottom of the loaf, which will result in a thicker crust. The oven temp length of time you bake your loaf after removing the lid dictates how thick and crispy the top crust is, while the temperature and distance from the lower oven element dictates bottom crust thickness. You can always lower the oven temp about 25 degrees for the uncovered part and adjust your time. Bake often and take notes on any adjustments you make – such as the amount of salt, oven temp and bake time covered and uncovered – and you will come up with your own, unique version that suits your taste. Pre heating the dutch oven isn’t a necessity – here’s a helpful article to explain; make sure to read to the very end! https://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2017/07/05/baking-in-a-cold-dutch-oven
Don’t worry, bake happy!
Hi there,
Do you have to use parchment paper or is there a substitute you can use, i.e. foil? I would love to try making the bread. Looks fantastic.
Trust me … you want parchment paper, it does’t stick to to the bread or the pot. You can get it at the dollar store.
Hi jenny,
Your dutch oven bread – I have a Lodge 8 dol cast iron dutch oven. It is not enameled. Can I make your dutch oven bread in this?
Also, can an all cast iron dutch oven cook the same stuff as an enameled one, except for the acidic foods? Your expertise please.
Thank you p.s. Costco has the red enameled one for $49.00.
Love this bread .. made it several times So easy and delicious. Thanks
I made mine in a cast iron Dutch oven. No enamel on it. Just 100 year old cast. Turned out beautiful
I have a Cajun Classic cast iron dutch oven made in Mamou, La. It works great. It is not enameled.
Ms. Jenny you’ve made me a divine bread baker. I can’t speak for other’s but your very easy bread recipe is perfect for me. I make a divine olive loaf. As a matter of fact I just finished making a olive loaf. I should say I use cannibis olive oil So good.
I can say to you Ms. Jenny the ingredients measurement very easy instructions and basic baking tools are so simple you can make your own hand crafted bread. I no longer buy store bought bread or pastries.
Ms. Jenny I’m a fan of your.
Thank you Ms. Jenny
I am making this Bread for years and it never last to the next day Its that good.
I made it in a camp dutch oven in a fire pit and it worked great!
When doubling the recipe, how long should I put it in the oven for?
this is the 8th loaf I’ve made using this no knead technique. This stuff turns out half-cooked in the middle. I checked your FAQs, no help there. I checked my oven with a Thermo thermometer, checked the temp of the cast-iron pan with a laser thermometer, let the bread rest for half an hour after baking, the temp of the bread was 208°, right where it’s supposed to be. This is driving me nuts. I hope someone has some suggestions. Thanks.
I forgot mention, I also weighed all my ingredients, even the water.
Check to see if your upper heating element is working. Sometimes it’s hard to catch a problem like that as the lower element will heat up the oven to the temp you need but the cooking outcome is compromised.
Are you using a meat thermometer to check the temp of the finished bread? Surface temp may read correctly with an infrared thermometer, but if it is not getting cooked all the way through I would agree that your oven may not be working correctly and you need to check internal temperature
I wish I could help, but I am very curious why you are having this problem. I have never made bread with commercial yeast, (only with sourdough starter, that is, wild yeast), and the temperatures and cooking time, use of a dutch oven are the same for my bread. However, when I first started baking I did not know that it can make a huge difference how soon you cut the bread. If you cut it open too soon, the insides will be gummy. Nowadays I always wait a minimum of 12 hours before cutting into a newly baked loaf, and I find that the insides are much, much nicer. There is a whole thing that goes on inside the bread while it is cooling on the cooling rack which — at least for sourdough — is an essential part of the process.
When you DO find out what the problem was I hope you will post it here as I am very curious as to what you will learn!
I had this problem with my 1st loaf. Bake it the 35 mins then remove the lid and bake until it is DARK golden brown, and remove the parchment paper as soon as you take it out of the pot and place on cooling rack so moisture doesn’t stay trapped as the bread cools. Also do not cut right away, let cool at least 20 – 30 mins. I read the cooling info on another site and it made a lighter loaf that was done in the middle.
My first one I made I used very hot almost boiling temp water. And it came out undone in center. Be sure to get water temp correct for the type of yeast u use. And don’t be tempted to add water to dough as I did 😒 It will come out perfect just the way Jenny makes it. 👍🏼
Jenny you are so adorable. I had to share this video with my mom and then make it together with her. We loved it and your cute apron. Does this recipe work with Rye flour mixed in to give it a little more flavor?
Jenny, I have just discovered your baking videos. I have made 7 loaves of “no knead” bread in 2 days and my neighbors & husband are wanting more. You have made baking so easy and your approach to low fat and fresh real ingredients are very helpful. Thanks for doing the Homework for us. Nice to see you on TV again.
Love your smile 😃.
Thank you, NBN
Hi Jenny
I love your videos. I was wondering on bread making if I can reduce the salt as I am on a low sodium diet?
Thank you
Birdie
Do you have a recipe for bread or something close to it that doesn’t contain yeast?
Thanks
can this recipe be made using almond flour for those on a keto diet ?
No, this recipe needs gluten.
I make a lot of bread. I have made it by hand, or with a food processor and a kitchen aid stand mixer. Yes this bread had a great crust and the bread was good. But for me this was a lot a of work and a mess to clean up, It was fun to try but I will not be doing it again. Thanks for sharing.
Momma always said “if you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.”
Anita: I just use a rubber scraper (to scrape the sides of the bowl) as I pour the water into the bowl to make the shaggy dough; it keeps the bowl nice and clean. Just made this bread again today and there’s just one slightly soiled bowl and a scraper to wash. The best bread ever!
Hello. Is it correct as the recipe states that one quarter teaspoon of yeast equals 1 g? I feel like I put in much more than a quarter teaspoon and I still didn’t get a gram?
It is correct. You can confirm that with a google search.
I did not read the how much yeast is in a pack and use the whole thing (2 1/4 teaspoons) and it came out great.
It turned out great and tastes so good, i was low on yeast and to have this bread turn out perfectly with only 1/4 tsp of yeast is good. I love your videos!
I never made bread until a friend told me about this technique. Now I can’t stop! All types. Love this recipe the best! Thank you, Jenny.
I do love seeds on my bread. Can Jenny, or anyone out there, please advise me whether the seeds would burn if I put them on at the start of baking? Have been adding them when I uncover the pot, but that requires an egg wash to keep the seeds in place. Would prefer to eliminate the egg wash if possible. Thank you, Experts.
I always add wheat flakes, oatmeal or seeds of all kinds to the top of my bread. You can do it right after you put it into the parchment lined bowl or right before you put it into the pot. I leave my bread in fifteen minutes with the lid off and it comes out delicious every time. The seeds toast up perfectly. Do not use an egg wash-the seeds stick to the puffy dough fine.
Great recipe. How do I make this a sough dough loaf?