Quick and Easy 20-Minute Rustic Bread Recipe
This quick and easy no-yeast bread recipe produces a soft, crusty loaf in just 20 minutes of baking. Using basic pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking powder, and oil, it’s perfect for busy days when you want fresh homemade bread without the wait. The bread has a rustic look with shallow slashes on top and pairs wonderfully with soups, sandwiches, or simply butter and jam. You can customize it with herbs, cheese, or spices to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 6-8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the bread from sticking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute these ingredients and help form the dough quickly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the warm water and oil into the dry mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft dough forms, even if it looks slightly shaggy at first.
- Knead Lightly: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1 to 2 minutes. You want to bring the dough together and smooth it slightly but not develop a gluten network like yeast bread.
- Shape the Dough: Shape the dough into a round or oval loaf depending on your preference for rustic appearance or easier slicing.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Transfer the shaped dough carefully onto the prepared baking sheet. Pat the top lightly to smooth it but keep a rustic look.
- Slash the Top: Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow slashes across the top. This helps the bread bake evenly and gives an artisan appearance.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the interior finish setting and prevents crumbling.
Notes
- Always use fresh baking powder for the best rise and texture.
- You can substitute half the flour with whole wheat for a heartier loaf, adding a splash more water if necessary.
- For garlic & herb bread, add 1 tsp dried herbs and 1/2 tsp garlic powder to the dry mix and brush the top with olive oil before baking.
- Cheesy bread variation: fold 1/2 cup shredded cheese into the dough before shaping.
- Spicy twist: add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the dough.
- You can bake this bread in a standard 8×4-inch loaf pan; increase baking time by 2-3 minutes as needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days; freeze well for up to 2 months.
Keywords: quick bread, no yeast bread, easy bread recipe, homemade bread, fast bread, baking, rustic bread, simple bread
