Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER | Simple & Delicious! - Shelf Cooking (2024)

No knead, no loaf pan, no Dutch oven, no problem! Our rustic bread recipe is so simple, using only 5 ingredients that you likely have stashed in your cupboards. In just a few hours, you'll have the most delicious bread that has an amazingly crispy crust and is pillow-soft inside!

Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER | Simple & Delicious! - Shelf Cooking (1)

There's nothing better than homemade bread, fresh out of the oven. It's perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacktime, or any time of the day, really! But one of our favorite things about it? It's one of the best ways to stretch a meal and get those bellies full!

Don't forget, I have an entire digital recipe ebook with all of my favorite bread recipes! Grab your copy of Our Favorite Bread Recipes Ebook here!

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This is my most viral recipe for the last few years! You simply can't go wrong with our rustic bread; it goes well with anything. Even non-bakers can have this turn out perfectly delicious every time! We love that you don't need any fancy gadgets for it, although a stand mixer does keep you from working up a sweat 😉 So what are we waiting for? Let's get on to…

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TIPS FOR MAKING THE EASIEST CRUSTY RUSTIC BREAD

We could make this every week and never get tired of it… Shoot, we could make it every day and never get tired of it! You won't be disappointed, we promise. Plus, it's a great shelf cooking recipe because all of these ingredients are kitchen staples!

Here are some tips for preventing a heavy, or overly doughy, loaf:

  • Weigh out your flour using a food scale! This will keep you from using too much or too little. If you don't have a food scale, fluff the flour and use a spoon to add flour to the measuring cup versus scooping it out in the measuring cup.
  • Start by using two cups of water and slowly add in the third until your batter is the correct consistency.
  • Dough should be slightly sticky to the touch, but not so that much comes off on your hands. If it’s too sticky to handle, add ¼ cup more flour at a time.
  • You can bake your bread in a dutch oven, if needed. It should take about 50 minutes to an hour to bake completely.
  • You can also bake your bread in loaf pans, but the outside won’t get crispy. The normal cook time should be enough.
  • If your crust is getting too brown, you can tent foil over it so the outside won’t keep cooking.
  • Use a thermometer to check the inside. It should read at least 190°F before you take it out of the oven.
  • Tap the bottom of the loaf to check for doneness. If it sounds hollow, it's perfect.
  • If the bread is hard, lower the oven temperature by 25°F and cook for 5-10 minutes longer.
  • Don't cut the bread for at least an hour, as the crumb is still forming. This will keep it from deflating!

We've made this so. many. times. and it has turned out so delicious every time. It's so dang good!

STORING RUSTIC BREAD

If you manage to have any bread left over (and that's a big if!), store the sliced bread in an airtight bread bag or zipper bag at room temperature. If it's a full loaf, store it in a brown paper bag to keep the crust from going soft. If it's half a loaf, place the open side face-down on a cutting board.

Rustic bread usually only lasts for a few days before it starts going stale. At that point, you can repurpose it for something else, if that's your thang. (Those ideas are comin' atcha below!)

Rustic bread also freezes really well! Wrap your whole loaf in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to help prevent freezer burn. When you're ready to thaw, just leave it wrapped up on the counter for a few hours and it'll be good as new. You can also freeze slices of bread, so don't be afraid to throw those in a freezer baggie if you have any leftover as well! They're handy for when you just need a slice or two of bread versus the whole loaf.

WAYS TO USE YOUR NEW FAVORITE CRUSTY BREAD

Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER | Simple & Delicious! - Shelf Cooking (2)

Alright, here are our favorite ways to eat this rustic bread, both fresh and when it's starting to go stale. Don't even think about wasting it because it's too delicious for that! 😉

  • Alongside Soup – You can never ever ever go wrong with soup and bread!
  • With Pasta – The same goes for pasta dishes! The bread tastes so good sopping that sauce up.
  • Fancy Grilled Cheese – Take your grilled cheese to the next level by using this delicious bread versus plain ‘ol white bread.
  • Cheesy Garlic Bread – Talk about elevating a recipe! Rustic bread is the perfect way to make this delicious snack/meal/appetizer/just because.
  • French Toast – Don't sweat it if your bread is starting to go stale! Our French toast recipe is the perfect way to revive it.
  • Cinnamon Toast – Bread + butter + cinnamon sugar topping = Heaven. Seriously, all it takes is popping it in the oven for 5-10 minutes until everything gets warm and gooey and you'll be on your way to paradise!
  • Make into Croutons – Cut stale bread into uniform chunks and toss with olive oil or butter and seasonings (garlic powder is a must!). Bake in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once.
  • Turn into Bread Crumbs – It's so easy to make your own bread crumbs!

Pro Tip: Plan your meals around when you're making your bread. This will help you use it up before it goes stale! You'll know when to make it fresh to accompany your favorite meals, then turn it into something else before it goes bad.

YOUR NEW FAVE RUSTIC BREAD RECIPE

Alright, it's the moment you've been waiting for! 😉

Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER | Simple & Delicious! - Shelf Cooking (3)

Rustic Bread Recipe

A warm, crusty rustic bread goes with just about any meal and it's so simple to make! Throw it together, let it rise, and you'll have a yummy bread that's ready for dinner in just a few hours' time. No bread pan needed!

4.42 from 68 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 3 cups warm water
  • 2 ¼ tsp (1 pkg) active dry yeast
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 6 cups (750 g) flour
  • 3 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Mix water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Let sit for about 10 minutes until bubbly.

  • Add flour and salt. Mix until combined into a soft dough. (The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch, but not so that much comes off on your hands. If it’s too sticky to handle, add ¼ cup flour at a time.)

  • Cover loosely with plastic wrap and kitchen towel. Let rise for 1-3 hours, if possible! I’ve run out of time before and let it rise for only 30-60 mins and it still works, but the longer, the better!

  • Preheat oven to 450°F and put a pizza stone or flipped-over cookie sheet in the oven to heat up.

  • Fill a baking dish with 2 inches of water and place on the bottom rack to create steam for an extra crispy crust.

  • Sprinkle flour on the counter, turn out the dough, fold on itself, divide in half and form it into 2 balls. Don’t knead or handle it more than you need to. Add a little flour if it’s too sticky.

  • Cut an X shape on the top of the balls with a sharp knife.

  • Place on a lightly floured pan, then place on top of the hot pizza stone or cookie sheet.

  • Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Notes

*You can bake it right on the hot cookie sheet and it’ll be just fine. Just be careful handling the hot pan while putting your dough on it and in the oven!

Keyword crusty, easy, no-knead

Sounds so good, right? It's such an easy recipe and the bread comes out perfect every time!

Alright, well there you have it! Don't be surprised if our rustic bread becomes the new most-requested recipe by your family and friends… There's just something about homemade bread that brings you all together. Give it a try and let us know how you like it!

Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER | Simple & Delicious! - Shelf Cooking (4)

Looking for more shelf cooking inspiration?

  • We can't get enough of these mini German pancakes!
  • Tired of the same old baked chicken every week? Try out these different recipes to help keep things fresh!
  • Love your leftovers by repurposing them into something new!

Happy baking!

Easiest Rustic Bread Recipe EVER | Simple & Delicious! - Shelf Cooking (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between rustic bread and sandwich bread? ›

Of the recipes I've tried, sandwich bread has sweetener and is handled less gently to create a tighter crumb, and the crust ought to be soft (though I haven't figured out what all makes that happen yet). Rustic bread generally has no sweetener and the aim is for big holes and crisp or chewy crumb.

What is the secret to soft homemade bread? ›

Bread Making Tips For Softer Bread
  1. Do Not Over-Knead Your Dough. ...
  2. Ensure Dough is Well Hydrated. ...
  3. Lubricate With Oil. ...
  4. Add Sugar. ...
  5. Add Eggs. ...
  6. Reduce Baking Time. ...
  7. Create Steam in Oven. ...
  8. Add Milk.
Mar 27, 2023

How do you make bread airy and not dense? ›

Dense or heavy bread can be caused by not kneading the dough enough, not letting the dough rise enough, or using too much flour. To fix this issue: try kneading the dough for longer or allowing it to rise for a longer period. You can also try adding a little more liquid to the dough or using a higher protein flour.

What major ingredients makes bread tender and improved flavor? ›

Fats: Fats, such as butter or oil, are added to bread dough for flavor and to help keep the bread moist. They also help to create a tender crumb. Milk: Milk is added to bread dough for flavor and to create a tender crumb. It also helps to brown the crust during baking.

What is hillbilly bread? ›

Description. A soft bread for those who like the smooth texture of a white bread and the health benefits of multigrain, Hillbilly Bread is the best of both worlds. This multigrain bread has 1.5 grams of whole grains in two slices! Make healthier sandwiches that your kids will love to eat, and you'll love to serve.

How do you know when rustic bread is done? ›

Bread is typically done when it has an internal temperature of 190°F. Testing your bread with a food thermometer a few minutes before the recipe suggests it will be done can help ensure that it is baked to your desired doneness and ready to be made into a delicious Pulled Pork Sandwich or dipped in a warm cup of soup.

How do bakeries make their bread so soft? ›

There's something magical about the bread you get at your local bakeries - they're always sooo soft and fluffy. Many of these breads, especially packaged ones, are made with a ton of chemical additives such as calcium propionate, amylase, and chlorine dioxide which help keep them soft, light, and fluffy for days.

How can I make my bread lighter and fluffy? ›

Adding dry milk powder to your bread dough will help your loaf rise higher. In addition, the loaf will stay soft and hold moisture longer which again means it will last longer. It also helps brown the crust. If you want a lighter fluffier bread loaf just add 2 Tbsp of dry milk to the flour per loaf of your bread.

What do bakeries use to keep bread soft? ›

Commercial bakeries use two types of ingredients to slow spoilage — emulsifiers and enzymes. Emulsifiers keep bread from going stale by preventing oil and water from separating.

What is the secret to airy bread? ›

Simply put, you have to control the temperature of the bread. Allowing ample time for your bread dough to rise and the yeast to form will create the holes in the bread that give it a lighter texture. Letting your dough get puffy and grow before it goes into the oven is critical.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

Does kneading bread longer make it fluffier? ›

Overworking the dough can cause the gluten strands to break down, resulting in a tough and dense bread. To ensure a light and fluffy texture, knead the dough just until it becomes smooth and elastic. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer.

What gives bread the best flavor? ›

Fat. If you're looking to ramp up the taste of your favorite bread recipe, we recommend adding a bit of fat. A fat like butter, olive oil or coconut oil in small quantities will help your bread achieve a higher rise and it will also boost its flavor by tenfold.

What is the role of honey in bread making? ›

Honey helps extend the shelf life of baked goods, which in particular is important for loaves of bread that need to stay fresh and moist. Honey is a humectant, a substance that prevents moisture transfer in bakery foods. Honey does not give up water easily; in fact, it collects moisture from the atmosphere.

What does egg do in bread dough? ›

besides the nutritional benefits there are a few other good reasons to use egg in breadmaking. It makes the bread lighter and fluffier. The reason for that is the fat in the yolk that inhibits gluten formation just as any other fat would. This results in a looser dough that can expand and puff up more.

Why is it called rustic bread? ›

What is Meant by Rustic Bread? Although a little vague like artisan bread, the general consensus is that rustic bread is not shaped with a pan and it is only made with simple ingredients such as just flour, water, salt, and yeast (or starter).

Is rustic bread better for you? ›

Nutrient Powerhouse: Artisanal breads often utilize whole grains and organic flours, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This is in stark contrast to refined white flour, stripped of much of its nutritional value. A Happy Gut: Sourdough bread is a natural source of beneficial bacteria (probiotics).

What is the difference between sandwich bread and regular bread? ›

The only difference between a 'sandwich' loaf and an ordinary loaf is its shape. A sandwich loaf usually has a 'square' section. This gives the sandwich an even shape where both ends of the sandwich are the same shape.

How is sandwich bread different from bread? ›

American sandwich breads have historically included some fat derived from the use of milk or oil to enrich the bread. Thin-sliced breads, wherein the bread is sliced somewhat thinner than customary, are often labeled as "sandwich bread".

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