There is nothing quite like a slice of warm and fluffy, deliciously tangy sourdough bread. And of course, it’s even better when made from scratch at home! This classic sourdough bread recipe uses a dutch oven to make a perfectly tender loaf every time. You only need 3 ingredients, including a sourdough starter and all-purpose flour, and the no-knead dough is left to rise throughout the day or overnight. Dutch oven sourdough bread is baked and rests in under 2 hours – so before you know it you’re enjoying soft and flavorful bread homemade with love.
What’s Covered in This Post
I have long loved sourdough for making all kinds of tasty baked goods. From sweet treats like Apple Cake to savory Pizza Crust, a good sourdough starter is about the most versatile of ingredients in the kitchen!
If you are looking for a soft sourdough bread that is not baked in a Dutch oven, then I have the perfect recipe for you! Super soft sourdough sandwich bread is great to keep on hand for lunches (kids love it!), and a is always welcome on the dinner table. Plus you’ll love these almost no-knead sourdough bread recipes.
Everyone loves a traditional rustic sourdough loaf. Or serve up some delicious garlic sourdough bread as the perfect side for dinner. Like this easy dutch oven sourdough bread recipe, they are baked in a hearty, cast iron Dutch oven.
Easy Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
To me, there is something appealing about having extra tangy sourdough bread as toast in the morning. This sliced sourdough bread (baked in a Dutch oven) is ideal for toast in the morning or sandwiches for lunch.
This recipe I’m sharing with you today is a classic all-purpose flour sourdough bread recipe baked in a dutch oven. This method yields a rustic loaf that is slightly crispy and chewy on the outside, and fantastically fluffy and soft on the inside.
Each bite has that signature sourdough tanginess that has you wanting more.
For those who live in colder climates, you’ll love that the no-knead sourdough dough can be left to rise during the day versus overnight – when it’s typically colder and therefore more difficult to get a great rise in the evening.
Warmer daytime temperatures are more ideal for rising a loaf of no knead sourdough.
Start this recipe in the morning, let it sit, and it’ll be ready to bake up fresh in time for dinner!
Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe
There are only 3 ingredients (plus water!) needed to make a delicious loaf of sourdough bread from scratch:
- Sourdough starter – absolutely necessary for this recipe; try my easy homemade sourdough starter recipe
- All-purpose flour – see recipe for bread flour and whole wheat flour
- Sea salt
- Warm filtered water – not hot!
Kitchen Tools Needed
Shop This Post
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Sourdough Bread Equipment and Supplies
I recommend a 4-quart to 5-quart size dutch oven for baking this sourdough bread recipe. The smaller size supports the bread during its fast rise in the oven and provides a taller loaf.
A dough whisk is handy for stirring the thick batter.
Using a clear bowl for rising makes it easier to see the fermentation activity going on below.
I have linked what I use in all of my sourdough recipes here in my sourdough recommendations list.
How to Make No Knead Sourdough Bread in a Dutch Oven
Below are the foolproof step-by-step directions for making this amazing bread. You’ll love how easy (and delicious!) this bread is!
Mixing the Dough
- Add the sourdough starter to a large glass bowl. Stir in the water until the starter is completely dissolved. Now add the flour and salt. Use a dough whisk or wooden spoon to stir until a thick and shaggy dough forms. If it’s too thick you can finish mixing the dough by hand. Leave the dough in the bowl, and cover with a clean and slightly damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
- Next, activate the gluten by stretching and folding the dough for 15 seconds within the bowl. Here’s my technique (see video below): Grab the edge of the dough, stretch it up and press it down into the center of the dough, then turn the dough 1/4 a turn. Continue stretching the dough as you move in a clockwise rotation.
- Then cover the bowl with a clean damp towel, and let it rise in a warm area (75º to 85º F) for 6-8 hours. The dough should double in size and look bubbly as shown below.
Shaping the Dough for Baking
- Now let’s shape the loaf. First flour your countertop, and tip the dough from the bowl onto the countertop. Stretch and fold the dough again as you did before. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, line a medium bowl with a towel or use a banneton with linen cover (see photo), and dust heavily with flour. Transfer the dough into the bowl and let it rise for 30 – 60 minutes.
Baking the Bread
- Preheat your oven to 450º (without the dutch oven). Cover the dough bowl with a long piece of parchment paper, and turn it over onto the countertop so that the dough is on top of the parchment paper. It should hold its shape well.
- Next, slash the top of the loaf with a lame or sharp serrated knife. This will allow the steam to escape and crust to expand without cracking. Gently lower the parchment paper with the dough into the dutch oven.
- Bake the dutch oven with the bread covered for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake for another 20 minutes. Use oven mitts to carefully remove the bread from inside the pot (on the countertop using a trivet is best) and bake the loaf it directly on the oven rack for 10 minutes. This is essential to create that perfectly crisp exterior.
- Remove from the oven and let the sourdough bread cool for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips and Suggestions
A round dutch oven will give you the typical round sourdough loaf. But, you can use an oval pot instead for oval-shaped sourdough bread.
Use the same brand of flour for consistent results. I recommend King Arthur All-Purpose flour (I prefer organic), Arrowhead Mills Organic All-Purpose Flour, or Wheat Montana Premium All-Purpose Flour (I get them from Walmart).
If you prefer extra tangy sourdough bread, replace 1/4 teaspoon (up to 1/2 teaspoon) of the salt with citric acid or sour salt for a tangy kick to your sourdough.
A round dutch oven will give you the typical round sourdough loaf. However, you can use a heavy oval pot instead for oval-shaped sourdough bread.
Use a glass bowl to proof the dough. This will let you see the bubbles throughout the dough that let you know the dough is ready.
Keeping the bread warm (75º to 85º is ideal) during the bulk rise (6-8 hours) is key for proper fermentation. See the tips below for how to keep your sourdough dough warm.
Let the no knead sourdough dough rise longer (10 hours or more) for the bulk rise if the ambient temperature is less than 75º.
If your dutch oven has a dark bottom, like Lodge or Staub, use an oven-safe trivet or round silpat liner (the one I use is linked) to keep the bottom from darkening.
Suggestions for keeping the dough warm in cooler months:
- Place it above your refrigerator (if there’s room). There is typically a good bit of heat that gets trapped up above the fridge.
- Use the “proof” setting of your oven (I set mine to 85º) and set a timer.
- You can use a pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, to proof the dough. Use the yogurt setting (don’t use the warm setting – it’s too hot!) and adjust the timer for 6 hours.
- If there is a a sunny room in the house that stays warm, keep the dough covered in that area.
- Place the bowl in the oven with the door closed and light on to create a slightly warmer climate without actually turning the oven on.
Get More Sourdough Recipes!
- Sourdough Pancakes
- Sourdough French Bread
- Soft Crust Sourdough Sandwich Bread
- Sourdough Pizza Crust
- Sourdough Stuffing
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use a heavy pot with a lid to make this recipe.
When ready the dough should be about double in size, with a softer and smoother top. You should be able to see bubbles in the dough – this is where a glass bowl comes in handy.
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour 1:1 with bread flour. For a recipe that specifically uses bread flour, I suggest you check out my Easy Overnight Sourdough Bread post.
Substitute up to 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour with bread flour, but I do not recommend using all bread flour as this yields a denser loaf. Also, add 1 Tablespoon of vital wheat gluten to get a higher rise.
Store sourdough in a sealed bag or container and keep it at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Sourdough Bread in a Dutch Oven Recipe
Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
Equipment
- dough whisk - optional
- 4 to 5 quart Dutch oven with lid
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (50 grams) sourdough starter (fed within last 12-24 hours)
- 1 ½ cups (350 grams) filtered water (about 100º F)
- 4 ¼ cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour (see recipe notes for using bread flour or whole wheat flour)
- 1 ½ teaspoons (9 grams) fine salt (I prefer using sea salt)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the sourdough starter. Add in water and use a dough whisk or a wooden spoon to stir until dissolved. Stir in the flour and salt until a shaggy looking dough forms. Finish mixing dough by hand in the bowl until all the flour has been absorbed. Cover the bowl with a clean, damp kitchen towel and let the dough rest for 30-45 minutes.
- Lightly flour your countertop. Pull the dough from the bowl with a dough scraper or by hand onto the countertop. Stretch and fold the dough for 15 seconds (see video below): grab the edge of the dough and bring it straight up it about 4 inches and tuck it into the center of the dough. Then, turn the dough 1/4 a turn. Continue this process until the dough has come full circle and it has tightened.Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a damp towel (or plastic wrap if you live in a dry area) and and let rise at room temperature or a warm area (72º to 80º F) for about 10 hours to ferment. Do not refrigerate the dough. The dough should double in size and look bubbly on the surface and under the dough when fermented.
- Lightly flour your countertop. Pull the dough from the bowl and shape the dough by stretching and folding it again. Let the dough rest 10 – 15 minutes. Line a medium sized bowl with a towel, or use a banneton bowl with linen cover (see photos), and dust heavily with flour. Let dough rise in it for 45-60 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 450º (without the dutch oven). Cover the dough bowl with a long piece of parchment paper, about 20 inches long, and turn it over onto the countertop (see video). Slash the top of the loaf with a lame or sharp serrated knife. Gently lower the parchment paper dough into a heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid. NOTE: If using a Dutch Oven with a dark interior, I recommend insulating the bottom with a round silicone sheet underneath the parchment paper. You can also place the pot on a baking sheet. This helps the bottom crust of the bread from getting too dark in color.
- Place the covered pot in the the oven and bake the bread covered for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake 20 minutes. Using oven mitts, carefully remove the bread from the pot. Bake it directly on the oven rack for 5-10 minutes to crisp the exterior (if needed). To ensure your bread is cooked through you can check the internal temperature. It should be 195ºF to 205ºF.
- Let cool for at least 1 hour before serving.
Video
PREVIOUS
Megan says
This is the best sourdough recipe! I’ve tried a lot!!!! Thank you for all the best tips and tricks!
Maria Agosto says
Can I used spring water for the started or it has to be purified water?
Thank you!
Renae says
Hi there! You should be able to use spring water. The point of using filtered water is to avoid chlorine that could be in tap water, and I doubt that spring water has chlorine.
Tamela says
Love this!!! My daughters sent this to me, and I tried it. It has worked great!!!
Renae says
I love hearing this! Thank you.
Colleen Malecek says
I live in MN where it’s very cold in the winter.. can I use my proofing oven over night if I leave the door slightly open?
I’ve tried it in the oven with the light on and on top of the fridge to no avail.
I love the over night concept but have to get my proofing right.
I appreciate any help or suggestions you can offer!!
Thank you!
Colleen
Renae says
Yes, I think you could use your proofing oven. Even here in California, it has been difficult with my sourdough overnight rise as we keep our house at 63º to 65º at night. I have been tempted to let it rise in my wall oven at 85º overnight. Instead, I have been letting it rise about 12-14 hours for the fermentation bulk rise. I’ve been testing this recipe with whole wheat flour, so I have been making bread regularly these last few weeks.
Andy says
I’ve failed at making bread over the years, mainly due to not having enough patience and not paying attention to the details.
This method worked for me, twice so far and is so easy, I am ecstatic. If I can do it it must be impossible to get wrong.
Renae says
I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear this!