Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread Recipe
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
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
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast thoroughly to create the bread dough base.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it gently into a round loaf ball ready for baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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