What is peasant bread?

Peasant bread is a rustic, simple kind of bread, often made with just a few basic ingredients like flour, water, salt, and yeast. It gets its name because it was traditionally baked by everyday people, or "peasants," using what was readily available. It's known for its hearty, often chewy texture and a lovely, crusty exterior. Our Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread definitely captures that humble, delicious spirit!

What is the point of no-knead bread?

The beauty of no-knead bread, including this Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread, is its incredible simplicity and minimal effort. Instead of you doing all the hard work of kneading the dough to develop gluten, time does it for you! The long resting period allows the gluten strands to naturally align, creating a wonderful structure and flavor in the bread dough without ever touching a mixer or kneading by hand. It's truly a magical and easy bread to make.

What's the difference between peasant bread and regular bread?

"Regular" bread often implies a recipe that requires significant kneading to develop the gluten network, resulting in a smooth, elastic dough. Peasant bread, like our Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread, refers more to the style—rustic, simple ingredients, and often a chewier texture with an open crumb. The "no-knead" technique is specifically what sets this particular method apart, relying on a long fermentation to create that fantastic texture with almost no hands-on work.

Why do they call it peasant bread?

The name "peasant bread" comes from its historical roots. In earlier times, this type of bread was a staple for common people because it was inexpensive to make, using readily available ingredients. It was a practical, nourishing food often baked in communal village ovens. The term "peasant bread" simply highlights its humble origins and no-fuss nature, making it the perfect name for our easy, satisfying Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread.

Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread: Easy & Tasty 5-Ingredient Recipe

Name: Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast; 2 cups warm water

Description

Embrace the magic of baking simple, incredible Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread. This easy recipe delivers a beautiful, crusty loaf with minimal effort, perfect for sharing warmth and comfort.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast
2 cups warm water

Instructions

1. Mix the Dry Goodies: Grab a large bowl. Add your all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Give them a good whisk to mix everything evenly. This initial mix ensures all the dry ingredients are ready to work their magic in your no-knead dough.

2. Add the Warm Water: Pour in the warm water. Use a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula to mix everything together until you have a shaggy, sticky dough. Don’t worry about it looking perfect or smooth; that’s the beauty of Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread! Just make sure there are no dry patches of flour left.

3. First Rise (The Long Nap): Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest at room temperature for at least 8 hours, or even better, overnight (12-18 hours). This long, slow rise develops incredible flavor and the signature airy texture of Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread.

4. Prep Your Baking Surface: Once your dough has risen and looks bubbly, lightly flour a clean work surface. You’ll be working with a sticky dough, so don’t be shy with the flour! This prevents sticking when you handle your rustic bread dough.

5. Shape Your Loaves: Gently scrape the dough out onto your floured surface. Avoid punching it down vigorously. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Gently shape each piece into a round ball, tucking the edges under to create a smooth top. This light handling helps maintain the lovely air pockets in your Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread.

6. Second Rise (Short Nap): Line two medium bowls (about 8 inches wide) or proofing baskets with flour-dusted parchment paper or a floured kitchen towel. Carefully place each dough ball into its prepared bowl, seam-side up. Loosely cover them and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes. They should look puffy.

7. Heat Your Oven & Dutch Oven: About 30 minutes into the second rise, place your Dutch oven (or any heavy, oven-safe pot with a lid) in your oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Getting the pot super hot is key for a crispy crust on your Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread.

8. Bake Covered: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Gently transfer one of the dough balls (still on its parchment paper, if using) into the hot pot. Slash the top a few times with a sharp knife if you like, then put the lid on. Bake for 30 minutes.

9. Bake Uncovered: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the lid from the Dutch oven. This allows the crust to brown and get wonderfully crispy. Continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until your Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

10. Cool Down: Transfer the baked loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This step is crucial! Cooling allows the internal structure of the bread to set and prevents it from being gummy. Enjoy your perfectly baked Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread!

Notes

The super hot Dutch oven is key for an incredible, crispy crust. Always cool the bread completely on a wire rack to prevent a gummy texture. The long, slow rise (8-18 hours) is essential for flavor and texture development. Using parchment paper makes transferring the sticky dough easy and safe. Feel free to substitute flours; bread flour adds chewiness, and whole wheat flour provides a nutty flavor (may need slightly more water). For savory variations, add shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese, dried herbs (rosemary, thyme), or minced garlic/garlic powder. For sweet variations, stir in dried cranberries or raisins, cinnamon, or chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans).

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Peasant-Style No-Knead Bread, rustic bread, homemade bread, easy bread, no-knead dough, crusty loaf, simple bread, baking, bread recipe, Dutch oven bread