Homemade bread doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. With this simple recipe, you can enjoy freshly baked bread without kneading, eggs, or butter. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways to make a loaf at home, using just a handful of basic ingredients. Perfect for beginners, budget-conscious families, or anyone who wants a healthier and preservative-free alternative to store-bought bread. This bread has a soft interior and a golden, crispy crust, making it ideal for sandwiches, toast, or serving alongside soups and stews. Even if you’ve never baked before, you’ll be surprised by how effortlessly this bread comes together.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (not hot)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps yeast activate)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together until evenly combined. Pour in the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky dough forms. Do not worry if it looks shaggy or uneven, that’s completely fine.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. The dough will become airy and bubbly as the yeast works its magic. There’s no kneading required at this stage.
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Place a heavy oven-safe pot or Dutch oven inside to heat for 20–30 minutes. Once the dough has risen, carefully transfer it onto a floured surface. Gently shape it into a round ball using floured hands. Don’t press too hard or overwork it.
- Remove the hot pot from the oven and place the shaped dough inside on a piece of parchment paper. Cover the pot with its lid and bake for 30 minutes. After that, remove the lid and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
- Carefully take out the bread and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Cooling is important because it allows the bread to set properly and makes slicing easier.
Cook
This recipe makes one medium-sized loaf of bread that serves about 6–8 slices depending on thickness. The total preparation time, including rising, is around 2 to 2 ½ hours, but the hands-on work is less than 10 minutes. The baking process creates a rustic loaf with a chewy crust and a light, fluffy inside that can be enjoyed warm or stored for up to three days in an airtight container. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread, reheating when needed. This is truly one of the most convenient and cost-effective bread recipes, perfect for any household.