Hearty No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread Recipe

Rustic No-Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread Recipe: Homestyle Magic!

Bread baking reaches new heights with this no-knead rosemary garlic bread that promises golden, crusty perfection.

Aromatic herbs and robust garlic infuse every fiber of this rustic loaf with irresistible flavor.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a bread that looks like it emerged from a professional bakery.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness in this foolproof recipe.

The kitchen will fill with an enticing aroma that beckons everyone to the table.

Warm, crusty slices await, ready to transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Grab a slice and savor the magic of homemade bread.

How to Bake Rustic No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread at Home

  • Whip Up the Dough Mixture

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in flour, crumbled herbs, salt, pepper, and yeast. Stir everything quickly to combine. Pour in water and mix until you create a messy, wet mixture that looks slightly uneven and rough.

  • Let the Happen

Cover the bowl completely and let it sit quietly on your kitchen counter for a full day. Watch as tiny bubbles start forming and the dough transforms slowly.

  • Shape Your Creation

Lightly coat a cast iron skillet with oil and dust with cornmeal. Gently pour the risen dough onto a floured surface. Carefully mold it into a beautiful round shape without crushing its delicate air pockets.

  • Prepare for Baking

Set the shaped dough back into the skillet. Drape a clean kitchen towel over it and allow it to expand for two hours until it looks puffy and almost doubled.

  • Transform in the Oven

Heat your oven to a toasty 450F. Slide the skillet inside and bake for 35-40 minutes. The bread will turn a gorgeous golden color and sound hollow when you tap its bottom.

  • Enjoy Your Masterpiece

Let the bread rest briefly before slicing. Serve alongside soups, salads, or simply spread with creamy butter for a delightful treat.

Flavor Boosts for Rosemary Garlic Bread That Stands Out

  • Master the Fold and Rest Technique to develop deep, complex flavors without exhausting kneading efforts.
  • Crush fresh rosemary between your fingers before adding to release more aromatic oils and enhance the bread's herbal profile.
  • Swap wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free bread flour and xanthan gum to create a similar texture and structure for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Experiment with alternative herb combinations like thyme and oregano, or add grated parmesan cheese to create unique flavor variations that complement different meal styles.
  • Store the bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel at room temperature for 2-3 days, or slice and freeze for up to one month to maintain optimal freshness and texture.

Serve Rustic Bread with Stew, Soup, or Olive Oil

  • Rustic Dipping Delight: Create a flavorful olive oil and herb blend for dunking this aromatic bread. Mix extra virgin olive oil with cracked black pepper, dried herbs, and a pinch of sea salt for an incredible appetizer experience.
  • Mediterranean Meal Companion: Pair this rosemary garlic bread alongside hearty Mediterranean dishes like Greek salad, roasted vegetable platters, or classic minestrone soup. The bread's robust flavors complement rich, savory meals perfectly.
  • Sandwich Transformation Station: Use thick slices of this homemade bread to elevate sandwiches with premium deli meats, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, or create gourmet grilled cheese. The garlic and rosemary add an incredible depth of flavor to any sandwich creation.
  • Breakfast Bruschetta Twist: Top warm bread slices with scrambled eggs, crumbled feta, chopped fresh herbs, or spread creamy ricotta with a drizzle of honey for a luxurious morning breakfast option that feels like a gourmet restaurant treat.

Store Rosemary Garlic Bread Without Losing Its Crust

  • Keep your rosemary garlic bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor and soft texture.
  • Seal the bread in an airtight container or ziplock bag to maintain moisture, preventing it from drying out quickly. Refrigerated bread stays delicious for 5-7 days.
  • Slice the bread before freezing for easier thawing. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn. Frozen bread remains tasty for 2-3 months.
  • Revive day-old bread by spritzing with water and warming in a 350F oven for 5-7 minutes. This method restores the crispy crust and soft interior, making it taste freshly baked.

FAQs

  • What makes no knead bread different from traditional bread?

No knead bread requires minimal handling and uses extended fermentation time to develop gluten and flavor, eliminating the need for manual kneading. The long resting period allows natural enzymes to break down flour, creating a complex taste and soft texture.

  • Can I use different herbs in this recipe?

Absolutely! While rosemary works perfectly, you can substitute with thyme, oregano, or basil. Each herb will bring a unique flavor profile to the bread while maintaining the same basic technique.

  • Why do I need to let the dough rest for 18-24 hours?

The extended fermentation develops deeper flavors and creates better gluten structure. During this time, wild yeasts and bacteria work to enhance the bread’s taste and create those signature air pockets that give the bread its rustic texture.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make this bread?

A cast iron skillet or Dutch oven works best, but you can also use a heavy ceramic dish with a lid. The key is having a vessel that can withstand high temperatures and create steam during baking, which helps develop a crispy crust.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 9

Rustic No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread Ingredient List

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: The foundation of the bread, choose high-quality all-purpose or bread flour for the best texture and rise.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the bread's overall taste profile.
  • Dried Yeast: Essential for bread rising, ensure it's fresh and not expired for optimal fermentation.
For Aromatic Ingredients:
  • Garlic: Brings a robust, savory punch to the bread, use freshly minced for the most intense flavor.
  • Rosemary: Introduces a fragrant, earthy note that complements the garlic beautifully, choose fresh herbs for maximum aroma.
For Liquid and Binding Ingredient:
  • Water: Activates the yeast and binds the ingredients, use room temperature water for best results.
  • Cornmeal: Provides a delightful crunch and prevents sticking when baking, adds rustic texture to the bread's bottom.
  • Olive Oil: Helps in greasing the skillet and adds a subtle richness to the bread's crust.

Tools for Rustic No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread Success

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating the dough, with plenty of room for mixing.
  • Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch Oven: Perfect for baking the bread, providing even heat and creating a crispy crust.
  • Plastic Wrap: Used to cover the dough during the first long rise, keeping moisture locked in.
  • Clean Dishtowel: Covers the dough during the second rise, protecting it while allowing some air circulation.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring flour, yeast, and other ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir ingredients and mix the wet and dry components together.
  • Flour Sifter or Sieve: Optional, but helpful for evenly distributing flour when shaping the dough.
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Hearty No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread Recipe

Hearty No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread Recipe


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4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Rustic No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread brings Mediterranean warmth to home kitchens with minimal effort. Crusty exterior and tender crumb showcase simple ingredients that deliver complex flavor profiles for bread enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) water, room temperature
  • ½ tsp instant yeast
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 ¼ tsps kosher salt
  • ¾ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsps cornmeal, for dusting the pan

Instructions

  1. Mixing Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of all components.
  2. Creating Dough Base: Pour lukewarm water into the dry ingredients, stirring until a shaggy, moist dough forms with an uneven texture.
  3. Initial Fermentation: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 18-24 hours, during which it will become bubbly and expand significantly.
  4. Dough Preparation: Gently transfer the fermented dough onto a lightly floured surface, carefully shaping it into a rustic round without deflating the delicate air pockets.
  5. Secondary Proofing: Place the shaped dough into an oiled cast iron skillet or Dutch oven dusted with cornmeal. Drape a clean kitchen towel over the dough and allow it to rise for approximately two hours until visibly puffy.
  6. Baking Process: Preheat the oven to 450F (230C). Once fully heated, introduce the dough-filled skillet and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a deep golden-brown crust to develop.
  7. Finishing and Serving: Remove the bread from the oven and confirm doneness by tapping the bottom – a hollow sound indicates perfect baking. Let the loaf cool briefly before slicing and serving with olive oil or softened butter.

Notes

Gentle Dough Handling: Avoid overworking the dough to maintain its light, airy texture and prevent dense bread formation.

Temperature Precision: Ensure lukewarm water (around 110°F) activates yeast without killing it, creating optimal fermentation conditions.

Moisture Management: Cover dough completely during long fermentation to prevent surface drying and maintain proper hydration.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to improve bread structure and prevent crumbling.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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