Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread (Print Version)
Rustic artisan bread infused with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs, baked to golden perfection with a crispy crust and tender crumb.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups bread flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons salt
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
05 - 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Garlic & Herbs
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped plus extra for garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
# How to Cook:
01 - Combine bread flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the yeast until evenly distributed.
02 - Pour warm water and olive oil into the flour mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.
03 - Add minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley to the dough. Stir until herbs and garlic are evenly incorporated throughout.
04 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let rise at room temperature for 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
05 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape into a round loaf, tucking edges underneath to create surface tension.
06 - Place dough on a piece of parchment paper. Cover loosely with a towel and let rest for 30 minutes while preheating the Dutch oven.
07 - Place Dutch oven with lid in the oven. Preheat to 450°F for at least 30 minutes to ensure proper heat retention.
08 - Carefully lift the dough using the parchment paper and lower it into the hot Dutch oven. Score the top with a sharp knife in a cross pattern.
09 - Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes to create steam for a crispy crust.
10 - Remove the lid and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
11 - Remove bread from Dutch oven, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with extra fresh parsley. Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crust creates this incredible shatter when you cut into it, like a professional bakery loaf but with almost zero effort
- Fresh garlic and herbs bake right into the bread, infusing every bite with flavor that feels fancy but costs pennies
02 -
- That extremely hot Dutch oven creates steam that's essential for the crispy crust, so dont skip the preheating step
- Scoring the dough isnt just for looks, it gives the bread a controlled place to expand as it bakes
03 -
- The parchment paper is your best friend for transferring dough safely into the hot pot without burning yourself
- If you dont have a Dutch oven, a heavy oven safe pot with a tight fitting lid works just as well