Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread is a rustic, flavorful loaf with a crispy crust and soft, aromatic interior. Made with simple ingredients and fresh herbs, it’s perfect for elevating any meal or enjoying on its own.

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.
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: Once the oven is hot, carefully remove the Dutch 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, and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
9. Step 9: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a more complex flavor.
• For a crustier loaf, increase baking time by a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
• Substitute olive oil with melted butter for a richer taste.
• Add a handful of grated Parmesan or shredded cheese to the dough for a cheesy twist.

Storage

Store the bread in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, freeze the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to refresh the crust before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

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

What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?

You can bake the bread on a preheated baking stone or heavy baking sheet, and cover the dough loosely with a large oven-safe bowl to mimic steam and create a crispy crust.

Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews

This Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread is a rustic, flavorful loaf infused with fresh garlic and herbs, baked to golden perfection in a Dutch oven. It features a simple ingredient list and a long fermentation process for a crusty exterior and soft, aromatic interior, perfect for any meal or snack.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 12 hours 65 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf 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 & Flavorings

• 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 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of instant yeast, stirring thoroughly to distribute the ingredients evenly.
2. Add wet ingredients and flavorings: Pour in 1 1/2 cups of warm water, add the minced 4 cloves of garlic and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme, then stir everything until you have a homogenous dough.
3. Rest the dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature to ferment for 12-18 hours. This slow fermentation develops flavor and texture.
4. Preheat the Dutch oven: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a clean Dutch oven inside to heat fully.
5. Prepare the Dutch oven: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bottom to prevent sticking and add flavor.
6. Shape the dough: Turn the rested dough onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a round ball, taking care not to deflate it too much to retain air pockets.
7. Bake covered: Place the dough ball into the hot Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes. This traps steam to help develop a crispy crust.
8. Bake uncovered: Remove the lid after 30 minutes and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
9. Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, allowing the crumb to set.

Notes

• For best flavor, use fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme but you can substitute with any favorite herbs.
• Make sure your water is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
• The long rest time at room temperature allows for excellent gluten development and flavor.
• Using a preheated Dutch oven creates steam which helps form a crispy, professional-quality crust.
• Let the bread cool completely before slicing to keep the crumb from becoming gummy.

Keywords: Dutch oven bread, garlic herb bread, homemade bread, rustic bread, no-knead bread, fresh herbs, easy bread recipe