How to Make the Perfect Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
European · Hard · 80 min · 8 servings
Baking sourdough in a Dutch oven creates an incredible crust by trapping steam during the first phase of baking. The result is a bakery-quality loaf with a crackly exterior and a soft, chewy crumb.
Why this recipe works
This Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 80 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 180 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1.25 tsp sea salt
- 0.75 cup warm water
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice flour for dusting
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix and Rest the Dough
Combine the bread flour, sourdough starter, sea salt, warm water, and honey in a large bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then cover and let it rest for 30 minutes. Perform four sets of stretch and folds every 30 minutes to build strength.
Step 2: Bulk Ferment
Cover the dough and allow it to bulk ferment at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours or until it has risen by about 75 percent and looks bubbly and airy.
Step 3: Shape and Proof
Shape the dough into a tight round boule and place it seam-side up in a well-floured proofing basket dusted with rice flour. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours for a cold proof.
Step 4: Bake in Dutch Oven
Preheat your Dutch oven at 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Score the cold dough, place it into the hot pot, cover, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until deeply golden brown.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- sourdough starter → instant yeast dissolved in warm water
- bread flour → all purpose flour
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not preheating the Dutch oven long enough which prevents proper oven spring
- Under-proofing the dough which results in a dense crumb with no open structure
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 180 calories, 6g protein, 36g carbs, 1g fat, 2g fiber.
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