๐ง No-Knead Garlic Bread
Yields 1 large loaf | Prep: 10 min | Rise: 1 hr | Bake: 35–40 min | Total: ~2 hrs
๐ Ingredients
500g (about 4 cups) all-purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)
1 packet (7g / 2¼ tsp) active dry yeast or instant yeast
2 tsp salt
3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed (fresh is best!)
350 ml (about 1½ cups) warm water (~110°F / 43°C — not hot!)
2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
๐ Optional Upgrade: Sprinkle top with Parmesan, rosemary, or flaky sea salt before baking
๐ฉ๐ณ Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Yeast
Salt
Stir in minced garlic.
Add warm water and olive oil.
Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until no dry flour remains.
The dough will be shaggy and sticky — that’s perfect! Don’t add more flour.
๐ฅ Pro Tip: Wet hands make handling sticky dough easier later.
2️⃣ First Rise (Bulk Fermentation)
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
๐ก️ Warm tip: Place near a sunny window or on top of the fridge — warmth helps yeast thrive.
3️⃣ Prep the Pan
Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or round cake pan with olive oil.
For a free-form boule: line a bowl or proofing basket with a floured towel.
4️⃣ Shape & Transfer
With wet hands, gently scoop the risen dough into your greased pan.
Do not knead or punch down — you want to preserve those air bubbles!
Smooth the top slightly with wet fingers.
5️⃣ Second Rise (Optional but Recommended)
Cover again and let rise 20–30 minutes while oven preheats.
This gives a lighter texture.
6️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake 35–40 minutes, until:
Top is deep golden brown
Loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom
Internal temp reaches ~190–200°F (88–93°C)
๐ฏ Optional Finish: Brush warm loaf with melted butter + minced garlic for extra richness.
7️⃣ Cool & Devour
Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Cutting too soon = gummy texture!
๐ฝ️ Serving Ideas:
With soups, stews, or chili
Toasted with butter or olive oil
As sandwich bread for garlic lovers
๐ Variations & Pro Hacks
๐ง Cheesy Garlic Bread: Fold in ½ cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan before baking
๐ฟ Herb Boost: Add 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, parsley, or thyme
๐ถ️ Spicy Kick: Mix in red pepper flakes or roasted jalapeรฑos
๐ง Make-Ahead Magic: Bake, cool, and freeze wrapped tightly. Reheat at 350°F for 15 mins
๐พ Gluten-Free? Use a 1:1 GF blend + 1 tsp xanthan gum (results may vary)
๐ฅ Crustier Crust? Bake in a Dutch oven: preheat pot, transfer dough, cover, bake 30 mins, then uncover 10–15 mins more
๐ง Why No-Knead Bread Works So Well
With no-kneading, the long rise does the work:
Yeast ferments slowly, building flavor
Gluten develops naturally over time
Sticky dough traps CO₂ → airy, hole-filled crumb
And the garlic? It infuses the entire loaf with savory depth — no need for spreads or toppings.
❤️ Final Thought: Great Bread Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
You don’t need a sourdough starter, a stand mixer, or years of practice to make incredible bread.
Sometimes, all you need is flour, water, yeast, salt, garlic, and time.
This No-Knead Garlic Bread proves that the simplest recipes often become the most beloved — the kind passed down not because they’re complex, but because they fill bellies, warm hearts, and make people say, “Can I have another slice?”
So tie on your apron, mix that dough, and let your kitchen fill with the scent of garlic and home-baked joy.
Because happiness?
It’s often found in a warm, crackly loaf. ๐๐๐