on Jun 25, 2021, Updated Oct 17, 2023 My grandma was one of ten children who worked tirelessly to provide for her siblings. When you come from a poor country or don’t have much, you can always rely on a few basic ingredients such as flour, salt, water, and yeast. With these few staples, your bellies were always full, and you were able to feed a lot of people on a very modest income. We were raised measuring ingredients using coffee mugs, and life was incredibly simple. Anyone can make bread with this recipe. If you are capable of adding a few simple ingredients to a bowl and stirring it up, you are capable of making bread – it is just that easy!
Why You’ll Love No Knead Olive Bread
🍞 Easy Homemade Bread: Enjoy baking your own bread without the hassle of kneading. This recipe is so beginner-friendly that you can’t mess it up! 🤤 Crispy & Chewy: This bread has a perfectly crispy crust and is warm, soft, and chewy on the inside. 👪 Family-Friendly: Loved by all generations, this bread is a hit with kids and adults. 🌿 Mediterranean Flavor: Chopped olives add a wonderful Mediterranean twist with saltiness and extra flavor.
How To Prepare No Knead Olive Bread
✨ Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour and salt. Add the active dry yeast and warm water. Stir until the dough comes together. 🫒 Fold in the Olives: Add in the olives and fold them (or mix) into the dough. 🕐 Cover and Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for a minimum of 5 hours at room temperature. During this time, the dough will rise and develop flavor. 🥖 Shape the Dough: Shape the dough (don’t knead it!) into a round loaf on a floured surface. 🍽️ Bake: Carefully place the dough into an oven-safe dish lined with parchment paper. Cover it with the lid, place it in a ❄️ cold oven, turn the oven on to 450°F (230°C), and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown. The timing will depend on the oven so be sure to keep an eye on it. 🌡️ Cool and Enjoy: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack (or dig into it hot). Once it’s cooled, slice and savor your homemade olive bread.
Substitutions and Variations
This Bulgarian-inspired No Knead Olive Bread has deep-rooted traditions. With a bit of creativity, you can make it your own.
Flour: You can use whole wheat flour or a mixture of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for a heartier loaf. Add Herbs and Spices: Enhance the flavor by adding herbs 🌿 like rosemary, thyme, or spices such as garlic powder or onion powder to the dough. Try some seeds and Nuts: Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or chopped nuts (like walnuts or sunflower seeds) on top of the bread before baking for added texture and flavor. Shape Variations: Experiment with different shapes – make rolls, 🥖 baguettes, or even stuffed bread with your favorite fillings. Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour 🌾 blend and ensure your yeast is gluten-free if you’re following a gluten-free diet. Use Sourdough Starter: Use one cup of sourdough starter in place of the yeast. Be sure to let it rest and ferment for at least 6 hours.
Best Served With
My No Knead Olive Bread pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, including soups and stews, cheese and butter boards, and more. Some of my favorite soups to enjoy with this bread:
Pastina Soup Greek Lemon Soup The Best Lentil Soup Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup Healthiest Cream of Hidden Veggie Soup Hidden Veggie Meatball Soup Chicken Noodle Soup
Try it With My Favorite Boards
Viral Butter Board With Goat Cheese Holiday Butter Board Holiday Charcuterie Board Holiday Cheese Board
Other No-Knead Recipes
If you like this no knead bread, try some of my others:
No-Knead Gluten-Free Bread My Viral No-Knead Peasant Bread No-Knead Foccacia No-Knead Cheddar Bread
Common Questions
