No Knead Cheddar Bread (Printable)
Rustic golden loaf with sharp cheddar, crisp crust, and tender interior. No kneading needed for this easy, crowd-pleasing bread.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1½ teaspoons salt
03 - ½ teaspoon instant yeast
→ Cheddar
04 - 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 1¼ cups lukewarm water
# How-to Steps:
01 - Whisk together flour, salt, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
02 - Add grated sharp cheddar to the flour mixture, tossing evenly to distribute throughout.
03 - Pour lukewarm water into the bowl and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
04 - Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let rise at room temperature for 3–4 hours until doubled in size with surface bubbles.
05 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven or heavy pot with lid inside to heat for at least 30 minutes.
06 - Lightly flour work surface and hands. Turn dough out, shape into a round loaf, and place on parchment paper.
07 - Cover with a towel and let rest for 20–30 minutes while the oven continues heating.
08 - Using oven mitts, remove the hot pot from the oven. Lift the dough with parchment paper and lower into the pot.
09 - Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes to develop steam and internal structure.
10 - Remove the lid and bake another 10–15 minutes until the crust is deep golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
11 - Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- The dough practically makes itself while you go about your day
- That first bite of warm cheddar bread with melting pockets of cheese is absolutely worth the wait
02 -
- The dough will look impossibly sticky and messy at first, that is exactly how it should be
- Resist the urge to skip preheating your Dutch oven, that initial steam is what creates the crisp crust
03 -
- Weigh your flour if possible for consistent results every time
- The parchment paper sling makes transferring the dough infinitely easier and safer