Go Back
+ servings
Small Batch Crusty Bread

Small Batch Crusty Bread

This Small Batch Crusty Bread recipe yields a deliciously crusty loaf perfect for any meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Inactive Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Mixing bowl
  • spatula
  • cutting board
  • Linen napkin

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • cups warm water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 to 1 ⅔ cups All-Purpose Flour plus extra for dusting

Instructions
 

Mix the Dough and First Rise (1 Hour)

  • Combine yeast, honey, and warm water in a large mixing bowl.
  • Let the yeast proof for about 5 minutes, until the mixture looks nice and foamy.
  • Add flour to bowl. Mix with a sturdy spatula until the dough starts to come together, then add salt and mix well, until no dry flour remains. Dough should be slightly loose, shaggy, and a bit sticky!
  • Cover bowl with a clean towel. Let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Shape the Dough & Final Rise (30 Minutes)

  • When dough has risen, lightly flour a large cutting board.
  • Tip dough out onto the board. Don’t punch the dough down - handle it gently to preserve all those air bubbles!
  • Shape your dough into a round loaf by gently pulling each edge into the center like you’re folding an envelope.
  • Dust a small mixing bowl with flour and place your loaf into the bowl seam-side down. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for another 30 minutes while you heat the oven.

Heat the Oven

  • While bread proofs, place an empty dutch oven (with the lid on) in your oven and heat to 460° F.

Bake! (30 Minutes)

  • When the oven is hot, tip your loaf - seam side UP this time - onto a piece of parchment paper.
  • Use oven mitts to pull out the hot Dutch oven and remove the lid.
  • Cook bread for 22 minutes.
  • After 22 minutes, carefully remove the lid from your dutch oven. Continue baking, uncovered, for another 5-10 minutes to deepen the color.
  • Transfer bread to a cooling rack and let cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use a high-quality flour for best results, such as King Arthur Flour or Bob's Red Mill. For best accuracy, please use a kitchen scale when measuring flour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSodium: 200mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Bread, Crusty Bread, Easy Bread Recipe, homemade bread, Small Batch Crusty Bread, Vegetarian Bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!