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4.7 from 623 votes
Crunchy, crispy, crackly whole wheat bread recipe!
No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
 

My crusty, bakery-style, aromatic and yeasty whole wheat bread recipe is must!

Course: Breakfast/Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 122 kcal
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (10oz/284g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 cup (5oz/142g) whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast or 1 teaspoon of Dry Active yeast *
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/4 cups (10 floz/282ml) water
Instructions
  1. Make the dough: In a large bowl whisk the flour, whole wheat flour, yeast and salt.

  2. In a separate bowl, combine the honey and water. Add the water mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir until you form a ball of dough and it cleans the bowl (see video above). If your dough seems very dry, add more water (do this 1 tablespoon at a time) until desired consistency is achieved.

  3. Cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 18-24 hours at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Your dough is ready when it has puffed up in volume, about double in size. 

  4. Once the dough has proofed knock the air out with your hands. 

  5. Shape the dough by transferring onto a lightly floured surface. Fold the dough in half and then fold it in half again. Shape the dough into a ball by tucking the sides underneath itself.

  6. Place the dough on a lined baking tray seam side down. Cover with cling wrap and a kitchen towel and proof for roughly 45 minutes -1 1/2 hours depending on how warm your kitchen is. You will want it to have doubled in size. (Note: Watch the above video on how to proof in a bowl)

  7. Once the dough has risen a second time, score the top with a blade or sharp knife. Bake it off at 400oF (200oC) for roughly 50-60 minutes. ( Watch for baking bread tips https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/7-common-breadmaking-mistakes/)

    Want to bake this bread in a dutch oven? I put it in at 450oF (225oC), then immediately turn it down to 400oF (200oF) and bake for 30 minutes with the lid on. Then remove lid and bake for the remaining time.

  8. Once the bread has formed a crisp golden crust you can transfer it to a wire rack and allow to cool completely to room temperature before slicing. Another tip to tell if it is fully bake is if you tip the base of the bread and it makes a hollow sound.

  9. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. This bread also freezes really well.

  10. * Dry Active Yeast needs to be sponged before use. This means allowing the yeast to hydrate in the tepid liquid you are using in your bread. It will form a sponge which you stir through before adding to the flour, this will ensure success.

Watch the Recipe Video!

Recipe Notes

Bold Baking tips: Check out my 7 Common Breadmaking Mistakes You're Probably Making 

When I bake bread I like to cover the dough with a large oven-safe bowl for the first 30 minutes. This will lock in the moisture around the bread and steam the inside. After 30 minutes remove the bowl or cover and continue to bake for another 30 minutes until golden brown all over. If you have an oven safe bowl I strongly suggest you try this method. 

Nutrition Facts
No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 122
% Daily Value*
Sodium 18mg1%
Potassium 54mg2%
Carbohydrates 26g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.