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No-knead bread! In five minutes a day! I’ve been hearing about this technique for a while, but just the term “no-knead” was a turn-off to me. I love to knead bread. It’s easy, takes a mere few minutes, and is one of the most primal things you can do in the kitchen. Still, I took some time recently to dig into this popular trend, test it out, and analyze it out of intellectual curiosity. I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to buy a book. You don’t even need a new recipe. No-knead bread is a method. You might even say it’s a brilliant marketing gimmick. (Hey, it sold somebody a lot of books!) What it’s not is anything different than bread. And you can make it with Grandmother Bread. In fact, you can make it with any bread recipe, but I’m going to show you how to make it with mine.
If you want to. Remember, to some extent, it’s just a gimmick, and one that may or may not suit you and your bakestyle.
What is the same about a no-knead recipe and any other standard bread recipe? Almost everything. In other words, you make it with water, yeast, flour, and other ingredients as directed, depending on the specific type of bread you’re making. The dough goes through two rises and is baked. (The attention-grabbing five-minute claim refers to the time per day you actually spend working with the dough, not the total time it takes to create a loaf of bread. The only real five-minute bread is the bread you pick up from a shelf at a store and take to the cash register.)
What is different about a no-knead recipe from any other standard bread recipe? It’s a wet dough. That’s why you don’t (can’t) knead it. It’s comparable to the difference between drop biscuits and regular cut-out biscuits. It’s all about the extra liquid.
Most no-knead bread recipes call for 7-8 cups of flour (because, seriously, this is about as big of a batch of dough as you can handle using a large bowl or pot unless you want to use an extremely large container and take up an excessive amount of refrigerator space). This size dough is comparable to the two-loaf Grandmother Bread recipe, only the “no-kneaders” suggest this makes four loaves. Four small loaves. If you’re looking to make a small loaf for one evening’s dinner bread, this is fine. If you’re looking for a big, beautiful loaf for sandwiches, it’s not.
What I’m saying here is that this is why no-knead bread is not for everyone. Those of us with families who go through bread quickly would find less benefit from this method. Might as well go ahead and bake yourself up two solid-size loaves and get on with your day. However, if smaller loaves appeal to you, if you don’t have a tableful of mouths to feed, this might be for you, after all. It also may appeal to you if you have trouble with kneading from a physical standpoint, or if you are just scared of kneading. You also might want to try this method if you need bread on a specific day and think you won’t have time that day for the first stage of the process. You can prepare the dough in advance then take it out to bake when it’s time.
You can also make a “cheater” sourdough by not using the entire bowl before making the dough again. Leave a small amount, about a cup, of dough in the bowl and start the recipe all over again, mixing in that bit of “aged” dough. In a few weeks of continuing the process of remaking the dough with a bit of old dough every time, your dough will develop a sourdough flavor.
You can actually divide this dough however you like, making either three or four smallish dinner-sized shaped loaves, or two regular sandwich loaves (loaf pan size). You could make dinner rolls, hamburger and hot dog buns, cinnamon rolls, etc. If you want to use egg and oil in no-knead dough, add two eggs and 2/3 cup oil and only three cups of water instead of four. (The egg and oil make up the additional cup of liquid. Still use only 7 cups of flour.)
Note: There is a five-hour “wait time” before you can even get close to baking this bread. If you want bread in the same day and faster, make Grandmother bread following the standard recipe and directions. See the original Grandmother Bread recipe here. Scared of kneading? Learn how to make bread with a nine-year-old.
Other techniques for setting bread dough aside to bake another day using the standard Grandmother Bread recipe:
See Freezing Grandmother Bread dough and also see Overnight Cinnamon Rolls for how to refrigerate dough to bake later.
Use a very large bowl! (You might even use a big pot.)
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How to make No-Knead Grandmother Bread:
4 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast (1 packet)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
7 cups all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, sugar, and salt. Let sit five minutes. Stir in first three cups of flour with a heavy spoon.
Mix in the rest of the flour, with the spoon, a cup or two at a time.
Lightly grease a sheet of aluminum foil and cover loosely.
Let the dough rest for two hours at room temperature. It will rise, and slightly collapse.
Place the bowl of dough in the refrigerator at least three hours or overnight. (Or as long as you want! You can let this dough sit in your refrigerator for weeks.) Pinch down the aluminum foil over the bowl to cover tightly while in the fridge or cover with a lid if you made the dough in a big pot. (Don’t transfer the dough at this point–make it in whatever you intend to keep it in.) The dough will be easier to work with (less sticky) if you refrigerate at least overnight before using the first time.
Edit to add: I’m using aluminum foil to cover the bowl here because when I put the bowl in the fridge, I can tighten the foil down on the bowl. You can loosely cover a bowl of rising bread with a damp dishtowel, greased waxed paper, etc, anything you like, but when you store dough in the fridge for possibly an extended period, you want to have it covered tightly to avoid off-flavors creeping into the dough. You can use a pot with a lid or pinched-down aluminum foil or any covered container, etc.
When you’re ready to bake some bread, take out the bowl or pot and sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. DO NOT PUNCH THE DOUGH DOWN. Using a spoon, cut away the portion of dough you want–half, a third, a fourth, depending on what type and size of loaf you want to make.
The chilled dough actually will cut away fairly easily with a spoon, especially if you have refrigerated at least overnight.
You can take one portion at a time and put the bowl with the rest of the dough back in the fridge for another day, or use it all to make several loaves at once. Remember that if you want to continue this process to develop a sourdough flavor, leave about a cup of dough in the bowl and remake the recipe.
With floured hands, shape dough into loaves. DO NOT KNEAD. Just shape. Grasp the dough in both hands, pulling it out and tucking edges under as you shape.
You can make round loaves, long French- or Italian-style loaves, or (if using half of the dough) place it in a loaf pan. Lightly grease whatever pan you’re using and let the shaped dough rest for at least 30 minutes and no longer than 90. The dough won’t rise much during this time (the dough is cold) and that’s all right–it will rise in the oven. (Time the rest period to suit yourself and your schedule that day. Don’t go over 90 minutes because the dough will get too warm, flatten out, and free-form loaves will lose their shape before baking.)
Make slits with a knife across the tops if you like. Cold dough works really well for slashing.
Your bake time will vary depending on the size and type of loaf, anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. (Keep an eye on it!) Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven.
You can use variations on the dough, such as making Raisin Bread, but remember all your dough from that batch will be raisin bread. You can also use all or partial whole grains–remember to add homemade dough enhancer.
Will I take to using the no-knead method? Sometimes! I don’t always want to make space in my refrigerator for a big bowl of dough, so that is a real downside for me. I have a big fridge–and it’s almost always full. Making bread is simple and quick enough as it is (to me), and I like kneading dough. But. It’s just another bread-making technique to have in your bag of baking tricks. And for those of you who are afraid to make homemade bread–now you’re out of excuses. You don’t even have to knead! If you can stir a spoon in a bowl, you can make bread.
Make this your Year of the Bread. Get baking!
See this recipe at Farm Bell Recipes and save it to your recipe box.
See all of my Grandmother Bread recipes.
See All My Recipes
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I really need this no knead bread! I cant do the kneading because of a shoulder injury, so this is perfect, and this way we can have fresh bread and rolls anytime we are in the mood. Think of the variations. I will certainly make some today.
At the super market this type of artisian bread costs nearly $4 a loaf. I will try baking it on my pizza stone.
Thank you Suzanne.
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND ALL OF YOUR MANY READERS A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2010.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
JO
1:59
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But they always feel like a cheat! I’m with you for the pleasure of kneading a yeast bread … even have a mixer capable of handling the kneading mechanically and rarely use that feature. It’s sooo much more fun to do the hands on!
Happy New Year all round …. 8^)
2:43
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Question: when you cover the bread after kneading, can I use a wet, clean towel, instead of oiled tinfoil or cling wrap?
3:16
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The post, not the method.
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It’s a great recipe! I don’t think any method you use will change that!
8:01
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Thank you for the no-knead recipe. Unfortunately, ONE of my resolutions this year was to stop eating unhealthy (for me, I am a diabetic) carbs. Would this method work with whole wheat or other whole grain flour? The whole grain stuff is better for diabetics. My husband has made a very dense, very primative whole wheat bread that’s okay for skillet toast but leave much to be desired as a sandwich bread. I’d love to try this method and get some really beautiful loaves like you show here….if I can do the whole grain. Any ideas?
Thank you!“
8:24
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I mix up a smaller batch of dough to use for dinner rolls. I don’t always want to cook up a huge batch of dinner rolls for just David and I. So, I cut off enough dough for 2-4 dinner rolls for the two of us. That way I don’t feel obligated to EAT the whole pan of rolls! LOL You know they are always better fresh and hot out of the oven…hahahaha!
Deb
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Thanks for the new method though!
Happy New Year!
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Thanks for the new method. You manage to bring such fun and a sense of adventure to it all. We appreciate that so much. May 2010 be another year of adventures with you.
10:05
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Happy New Year!
Susan
10:12
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I too like kneading bread. It’s wonderfuly therapeutic. For bread-making virgins, I posted explicit instructions at http://wvfurandroot.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/bread-and-its-a-big-ol-goofy-world/
I don’t usually push one of my blog posts, but I’m kind of tickled with this one. Folks have told me that it served them well in learning how to make bread.
Connie
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Like my Mom and Grandmom, I cover dough with a damp dishtowel.
10:47
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I wish you and your family a very happy new year! I actually am just in my second rise of Grandmother bread to go with dinner tonight. I am a new reader and have baked several of your recipes in the past few weeks. I found you through Skippy over at I Make Soap and I am slowly becoming a regular reader. Thank you for the recipes!
Nicole
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11:24
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Looks easier than the rise type
Your photos are great and so yummy looking!!
Suzanne and family have a wonderful 2010!
Anne
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We eat lots of other whole grains too, and sweet potatoes which are much better (how wacky is THAT? heh, yes I know the science, it’s still funny.)
If you want to, add a cup of bread flour to the mix too, not quite as healthy, but not horrible. The dough enhancer is the real secret to using whole wheat though.
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I’ve really enjoyed your blog this past year. Happy 2010!
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Wishing you and your family and the Stringtown Rising Farm a very happy and healthy New Year.
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Our oldest daughter has tried the basic bread and a few variations. She brought us some for the Christmas feast – a pumpkin bread. It was quite good but a little bland as far as the pumpkin flavor (her own opinion).
I think this winter I’ll try baking bread again. You’ve inspired me. Thanks
Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed New Year, Suzanne!
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Ruthie
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7:08
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I have the knead feature on my mixer, which I have used, and I do enjoy kneading by hand–but I am on the shorter side, and kneading on the counters is too high. Between a bad back, and a countertop that is just a touch too high, well, you end up in pain. Something I cannot afford. So, I can set my 9yr old to work, mixing it up in the stand mixer, and then do the transfer/rise/shaping myself…saves me time.
I’ve not yet tried Grandmother bread. I think I need to go back and read all of the posts…lol…
Happy New Year, everyone!
Rachel
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11:48
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I bought the book. I made the bread. It didn’t work.
I failed at no knead bread. FAILED.
I’ll continue to make bread the old fashioned way.
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I was a bit sad to see you “dissing” the 5-Min Bread thing when I first clicked this post. Then I read the paragraph above, and YES, THIS! YOU ARE RIGHT ON, 100% CORRECT.
I have four kids and a husband. This is exactly the problem I have with 5-Min Bread. The recipe makes two, maybe 3, days worth of bread/rolls/whatever for my family, and then I’ve got to start over. Even if I doubled the recipe, it wouldn’t fit in my fridge, which also has to hold FOOD for a family of 6. And, yeah, “5 minutes” is a bit of an exaggeration on their part, as well.
You also might want to try this method if you need bread on a specific day and think you won’t have time that day for the first stage of the process.
I’ve been using Grandmother Bread for my cheater. I just make a double batch and bake half. The other half goes into the fridge after the first rise. A day or two later, I pull out “reserve loaf”, shape it, let it warm & rise, then bake it. Perfecto! Yes, there is kneading involved, but as you pointed out, if you don’t have physical limitations the actual time involved is less than the no-knead version. (BTW, I usually knead bread in my mixer w/ dough hook, so even that’s not a problem for me.)
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I’ll try no-knead. But what am I doing wrong??
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rileysmom
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