Recipe · No-Knead Loaf · Slow-Fermented
65% Hydration Slow-Fermented No-Knead Loaf
No-knead bread proves that time replaces effort. A wet dough, twelve to eighteen hours on the counter, no folding, no shaping beyond a quick form, and a Dutch oven hot enough to give it a real crust.
Total time
36 hours (over ~3 days)
Active
90 minutes
Hydration
65%
Difficulty
⌬○○
At 65% hydration, the dough is firm and forgiving. It shapes cleanly, holds its form during proof, and produces a tighter, more even crumb. Good for beginners, sandwich loaves, and anything you want to slice neatly.
The slow schedule is for bakers who plan ahead. Mix Friday, fold and refrigerate, shape Saturday, ferment again, bake Sunday. The time produces depth that a shorter schedule simply can't reach, and the dough is a pleasure to handle by the end.
Ingredients
1000g total dough. Yields 1 round loaf, ~900g baked.
| Ingredient | Grams | Baker's % |
|---|---|---|
| Bread flour | 598 g | 100% |
| Water | 389 g | 65% |
| Salt | 12 g | 2% |
| Instant yeast | 0.9 g | 0.15% |
Schedule
- Day 1, eveningMix flour and water. Autolyse 1 hour.
- Day 1, eveningAdd yeast and salt. Mix gently.
- Day 1, eveningThree folds, 30 minutes apart.
- Day 1, nightRefrigerate the bulk dough overnight.
- Day 2, morningPull from refrigerator. Bench rest 1 hour.
- Day 2, middayPre-shape, rest 30 minutes. Shape into a tight boule, place seam-up in a floured banneton.
- Day 2, afternoonCover and refrigerate the shaped dough overnight.
- Day 3, morningPull from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven and Dutch oven to bake temperature.
- Day 3, morningScore the loaf. Bake at 475°F covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 20 more minutes.
Method tips for this style
Mix until the flour is just hydrated, cover, and walk away for 12 to 18 hours. When you return, the dough should be wet and sticky, dotted with bubbles. Shape gently on a floured surface, rest, and bake covered in a Dutch oven.
What to expect
Expect a tight, controlled crumb and a robust crust. The loaf slices cleanly and holds together for sandwiches; not the most dramatic interior, but the most reliable.
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