Garlic Herb Dutch Oven Bread (Printable)

Aromatic garlic and fresh herbs infuse this rustic artisan loaf, baked in a Dutch oven for a perfectly crisp crust and tender interior.

# 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 (about 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
11 - 2 tablespoons melted butter

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, salt, and sugar. Stir in the yeast until evenly distributed.
02 - Pour in the warm water and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.
03 - Add the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley to the dough. Stir until the aromatics 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 the dough has doubled in size.
05 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape into a round loaf, tucking the edges underneath to create tension on the surface.
06 - Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Cover loosely with a clean towel and let rest for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.
07 - Place a Dutch oven with its lid in the oven. Preheat to 450°F for at least 30 minutes to ensure the pot is thoroughly heated.
08 - Carefully lift the dough using the parchment paper and lower it into the preheated Dutch oven. Score the top with a sharp knife or lame in a cross or slash pattern.
09 - Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes to create steam and develop the crust structure.
10 - Remove the lid and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11 - Remove the bread from the Dutch oven. Immediately brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with extra fresh parsley. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The Dutch oven creates bakery style crust without any special equipment or techniques
  • Fresh garlic and herbs baked right into the dough make every bite aromatic and savory
  • Most of the time is hands off rising, leaving you free to do other things
02 -
  • Letting the dough rise in a slightly warm spot really makes a difference in how quickly it develops
  • The Dutch oven must be fully preheated or you wont get that professional looking crust
  • Scoring the dough helps it expand properly while baking and creates those beautiful artisan patterns
03 -
  • Weigh your flour if possible, as cup measurements can vary and affect the dough consistency
  • The parchment paper makes transferring the dough to the hot Dutch oven completely foolproof

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