Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread is a simple yet flavorful homemade loaf that fills your kitchen with an amazing aroma. With minimal ingredients and an easy overnight rise, it’s perfect for home bakers looking to impress with a rustic, crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme), chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
2. Step 2: Add the warm water, minced garlic, and chopped herbs to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
3. Step 3: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 12-18 hours at room temperature to allow the dough to rise.
4. Step 4: After resting, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven inside to heat up.
5. Step 5: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and add olive oil to the bottom.
6. Step 6: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball.
7. Step 7: Place the dough into the hot Dutch oven, cover it with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the bread is golden brown.
9. Step 9: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing to finish.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano to customize the flavor.
• For extra garlic flavor, roast the garlic before adding it to the dough.
• Make sure your water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use any heavy oven-safe pot with a lid.

Storage

Store the bread in a paper bag or wrapped loosely in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, slice and freeze the bread in an airtight container. Reheat slices in a toaster or oven for a crispy crust.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, but you should dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before mixing with the dry ingredients.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs can be used as a substitute—use about one-third the amount of fresh herbs since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 111 reviews

This Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread is a flavorful and aromatic homemade bread featuring fresh garlic and herbs. The dough undergoes a slow, overnight fermentation for a soft interior and a crisp, golden crust, all baked in a preheated Dutch oven for perfect heat circulation. It’s an easy yet impressive bread recipe perfect for any home baker seeking a rustic, savory loaf.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 12 hours 65 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast

Wet Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme), chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast thoroughly to create the bread dough base.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm water, then add the minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs to the flour mixture. Stir everything together until a sticky dough forms.
3. Rest the Dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest and ferment at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours to develop flavor and texture.
4. Preheat Oven and Dutch Oven: After the rest period, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven inside the oven to heat thoroughly, ensuring a crisp crust when baking.
5. Prepare Dutch Oven: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and add the olive oil to coat the bottom to prevent sticking and add flavor.
6. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it gently into a round loaf ball ready for baking.
7. Bake with Lid On: Place the dough ball carefully into the hot Dutch oven, cover it with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes. The lid traps steam for a soft interior and thick crust.
8. Bake with Lid Off: Remove the lid from the Dutch oven and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crusty.
9. Cool Before Slicing: Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to preserve texture and flavor.

Notes

• Warm water should be around 100°F (38°C) to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Resting time can be closer to 12 hours or up to 18 hours, depending on room temperature.
• Use fresh herbs for the best aromatic flavor; rosemary and thyme pairs wonderfully.
• Letting the bread cool fully prevents it from becoming gummy when sliced.
• Make sure your Dutch oven is oven-safe and large enough to hold the dough comfortably.

Keywords: Garlic Herb Bread, Dutch Oven Bread, Artisan Bread, Homemade Bread, No-Knead Bread, Herb Bread Recipe