Cheapest Bread Recipe

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Of course! The cheapest bread recipe is a classic No-Knead White Bread. It uses just 4 simple, inexpensive ingredients and requires almost no hands-on effort. It’s famously forgiving and bakes into a beautiful, crusty loaf that looks and tastes artisan, for pennies.

The Ultimate Cheap & Easy No-Knead Bread

This method uses time instead of kneading to develop the gluten, resulting in a fantastic, holey crumb and a crisp crust.

Yield: 1 large loaf
Cost per loaf: Extremely low (likely under $0.50)

Ingredients

· 3 cups (360g) All-Purpose Flour (plus more for dusting)
· 1 ½ cups (350ml) Warm Water (just warm to the touch, not hot)
· 1 ¼ tsp (7g) Active Dry Yeast or Instant Yeast
· 1 ½ tsp (9g) Salt

(That’s it! No eggs, no milk, no butter.)

Instructions

Total Time: 2.5 – 18 hours (mostly waiting)

Step 1: The 5-Minute Mix (Day 1 – Evening)

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.
  2. Pour in the warm water.
  3. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hand until you have a shaggy, sticky, and wet dough ball. There should be no dry flour spots. It will look messy and shaggy—this is perfect!
  4. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel.

Step 2: The Long, Slow Rise (The “Secret” Step)

  1. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. Overnight is perfect. The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles and it has more than doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape & Second Rise (Day 2 – Morning)

  1. Generously flour a work surface and your hands. The dough will be very sticky.
  2. Gently scrape the dough out onto the floured surface. With floured hands, fold the dough over itself a few times (north, south, east, west) to form a rough ball shape.
  3. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a plate or small baking sheet and generously dust it with flour or cornmeal. Place the dough ball seam-side down on the parchment.
  4. Cover it loosely with the plastic wrap or towel and let it rise for another 1 to 2 hours, until it’s puffy and almost doubled.

Step 4: Bake

  1. While the dough is on its second rise, place a Dutch oven with its lid (or any heavy, oven-safe pot) into your oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Let the pot heat for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven. Take off the lid.
  3. Using the parchment paper as a sling, gently lower the dough into the screaming hot pot. You can score the top with a sharp knife or razor blade for a more professional look (make a shallow ½-inch cut).
  4. Put the lid back on and place the pot in the oven.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on.
  6. Remove the lid and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the crust is deeply golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
  7. Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This is crucial for the texture!

Why This is the Cheapest & Best Method

· 4 Ingredients: Flour, water, yeast, salt. That’s it.
· No Special Equipment: You don’t need a stand mixer, bread machine, or even a baking stone. A simple bowl and a heavy pot are all you need.
· The Dutch Oven Trick: The pre-heated pot with a lid creates a steamy environment that mimics a professional bakery oven. This gives you an incredible, crisp crust and a soft, airy interior you can’t get from a simple baking sheet.
· No Kneading: Saves time and effort.

Money-Saving Tips & Variations

· Buy in Bulk: Flour and yeast are dramatically cheaper when bought in larger bags or jars.
· No Dutch Oven? No Problem. Use any heavy, oven-safe pot with a lid (like a cast-iron combo cooker). If you don’t have one, you can bake it on a preheated baking sheet. Place a pan of boiling water on the rack below to create steam.
· Make it Whole Wheat: Substitute 1 cup of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and more fiber. You may need a tiny bit more water.
· Add Flavor for Free: Stir in a handful of rolled oats, sunflower seeds, or some dried herbs into the dry ingredients for a different loaf every time.

This bread is perfect for toast, sandwiches, or just eating with a bit of butter. Enjoy the incredible satisfaction of baking your own delicious, affordable bread

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