Description
This no knead whole wheat bread is an easy, fuss-free recipe that yields a hearty, wholesome loaf with a perfect crust and soft, chewy interior. Made with 100% whole wheat flour and requiring minimal hands-on effort, it’s perfect for anyone seeking fresh, homemade bread without the need for kneading or special equipment.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Dough
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
For Finishing
- Extra flour, for dusting
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, instant yeast, and salt until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm water, honey (or maple syrup), and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until well blended. The dough will look sticky and shaggy—don’t worry, that’s perfect for this no knead method.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rise at room temperature for 10 to 12 hours, or overnight, until the surface is bubbly and the dough has visibly expanded.
- Shape the Loaf: Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper or a clean surface. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Gently shape it into a round or oval loaf, using well-floured hands to avoid sticking. Avoid knocking out too much air.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise for another 45 to 60 minutes, until puffed.
- Preheat the Oven: About 30 minutes before baking, place a Dutch oven (with lid) or heavy oven-safe pot in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C).
- Transfer and Score: Carefully remove the preheated pot from the oven. Lift the dough using the parchment paper and carefully set it, along with the paper, into the hot pot. Use a sharp knife to score a shallow ‘X’ on the top to help control the expansion as it bakes.
- Bake: Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the crust is deeply golden.
- Cool: Lift the bread out of the pot (using the edges of the parchment) and transfer to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing to keep in moisture and ensure the crumb sets nicely.
Notes
- For a softer crust, wrap the hot loaf in a clean kitchen towel as it cools.
- The dough is meant to be sticky, so don’t add more flour than instructed.
- This bread keeps well at room temperature for up to 3 days, and can be sliced and frozen for longer storage.
- Add seeds or chopped nuts to the dough for extra texture and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg