No-Knead Sandwich Bread

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No-Knead Sandwich Bread is a soft white homemade sandwich bread with a golden crust. All you need is 90 minutes of rise time and 40 minutes to bake. No special techniques or equipment needed, just a loaf pan for baking.

overhead image of No Knead Sandwich Bread in a loaf pan on a cooling rack

We’re reaching the end of bread week here on the site, and my freezer is absolutely packed with homemade bread. If you’re just jumping in, don’t miss all of the variations we made earlier this week that all come from the same, very simple no-knead bread dough – Everyday Bread, French Bread Loaves, Sheet Pan Pizza, Focaccia, and today….white sandwich bread! Like all of the homemade bread made with this recipe, no-knead sandwich bread is simple and rustic. It’s not fussy and not fancy. Just a great go-to bread that’s perfect for slicing and serving with sandwiches (like these Falafel Sandwiches) or toasting and topping with butter.

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slices of No-Knead Sandwich Bread on a white table

While we use keep store-bought whole wheat bread in the pantry or freezer, there’s nothing like a slice of classic white sandwich bread, and it’s so satisfying to bake it yourself. Not only do you get a great slice of bread, but there are few things quite as cozy as a house that smells like yeast and warm bread.

Here’s everything you need to know about making this simple, homemade, no-knead sandwich bread.

No Knead Sandwich Bread sliced on a wooden cutting board

Ingredients for No-Knead Sandwich Bread

  • All-Purpose Flour – No special flour needed here – just regular all-purpose. Any brand is fine. 
  • Kosher Salt – This recipe was tested with Kosher salt (Morton’s or Diamond Brand), so use that for the right balance of saltiness. (If using table salt, reduce the amount you use by about half.)
  • Sugar – Use regular granulated / white sugar. Don’t skip this – the dough needs sugar in order to rise.
  • Fast-Acting or “Instant” Yeast – No-Knead Sandwich Bread uses a dough that rises quickly (making it a go-to for new bread bakers or those of us who want this ready fast) and requires Fast-Acting (not “Active Dry”) yeast. See the original post for No-Knead Everyday Bread for more details on this yeast. 
  • Warm Water – The water should feel warm, but not too hot to touch. Check the package on the yeast for the recommended temperature range. I usually heat tap water in the microwave for about 90 seconds until it reaches about 120°F / 49°C.
  • Olive oil or nonstick cooking spray – You’ll need to rub or spray the inside of the loaf pan to prevent the bread from sticking.

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dry ingredients for bread in a white bowl

How to Make No-Knead Sandwich Bread

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. 
  2. Add Warm Water – Pour water over dry ingredients (check the packaging on your yeast and use water at the temperature it recommends) and stir until no dry spots remain. The dough will be very sticky, but just scrape down the sides as you stir.
  3. First Rise (60 minutes) – Cover the dough with a clean dish towel and leave it on the kitchen counter to rise until doubled in size, 60 minutes. (If your kitchen is on the colder side, let the dough rise for 75 minutes.) Don’t worry too much about getting the timing just right here – anywhere between 60 and 75 minutes will give you a great loaf of bread.
  4. Transfer Dough – When dough has nearly finished the initial rise, rub olive oil over the inside of a loaf pan (or spray it with nonstick cooking spray). Gently pour the dough into the prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to help ease the dough out. 
  5. Heat Oven – Once dough has finished the first rise, preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C.
  6. Second Rise (20 minutes) – While the oven heats up let the dough rise again, 20 minutes more. 
  7. Bake bread (40 minutes) – Bake bread until the top is golden brown and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes. If you have an instant read thermometer, that is the best way to check and see if the bread is done cooking. The bread should be 190°F / 88°C in the center.
  8. Cool Bread – Allow bread to cool for 5 minutes in the loaf pan. Then, turn it out onto a rack to cool completely. (Note: Don’t let the bread cool completely in the loaf pan or it may have a tendency to stick.)
adding water to dry ingredients in a white bowl
overhead image of a whisk in a white bowl mixing bread dough
overhead image mixed No knead sandwich bread dough in a white bowl
overhead image of No Knead Sandwich Bread dough after rising in a white bowl
pouring No knead sandwich bread dough into a white loaf pan
overhead image of No knead sandwich bread dough in a white loaf pan on a white table

How to Freeze Homemade Sandwich Bread

The easiest way to freeze homemade sandwich bread is to let it cool completely and slice it before freezing. Then you can take a few slices out of the freezer at a time and bake them as you need them. 

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no knead sandwich bread sliced on a white table
4.47 from 28 votes

No-Knead Sandwich Bread

No-Knead Sandwich Bread is a soft white homemade sandwich bread with a golden crust. All you need is 90 minutes of rise time and 30 minutes to bake. No special techniques or equipment needed, just a loaf pan for baking.
Prep: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 2 hours
Servings: 12 slices

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Loaf Pan

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour 500 grams
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt (I use Morton’s or Diamond Brand)
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoon Fast Acting or “Instant” Yeast (see note)
  • 2 cups Warm Water 473 milliliters (see note)
  • Olive oil or nonstick cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Pour water over dry ingredients and stir until no dry spots remain. The dough will be very sticky, but just scrape down the sides as you stir.
  • First Rise (60 minutes): Cover the dough with a clean dish towel and leave it on the kitchen counter to rise until doubled in size, 60 minutes. (If your kitchen is on the colder side, let the dough rise for 75 minutes.)
  • When dough has nearly finished the initial rise, rub olive oil over the inside of a loaf pan (or spray it with nonstick cooking spray).
  • Gently pour the dough into the prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to help ease the dough out.
  • Heat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C.
  • Second Rise (20 minutes): Place loaf pan with dough near the oven and let it continue to rise, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
  • Bake bread (40 minutes): Bake bread until the top is golden brown and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes. (Use an instant read thermometer if you have one. The bread is done when it reaches 190°F / 88°C in the center.)
  • Allow bread to cool for 5 minutes in the loaf pan. Then, turn it out onto a rack to cool completely. (Note: Make sure to allow the bread cool completely before slicing – if it's still warm it may compress and can give it a gummy texture in the center.)
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

Yeast – 2 1/4 teaspoon of Fast Acting or “Instant Yeast is one 1/4 ounce packet of yeast (often sold in 3-packet sets). Be sure to get yeast labeled as Fast Acting, Instant, Quick-Rise, Bread Machine, or RapidRise – any of these will work. Do NOT use “Active Dry Yeast” for this recipe; it needs to be dissolved in water before using. 
Water – Check the label on the brand of yeast you have purchased for the recommended water temperature. Water that is too hot will kill the yeast, water that is too cool will not “activate” it. Use a thermometer to check the temperature or just make sure it feels warm (but not hot) to the touch. 
Storing bread – Sliced bread can be stored at room temperature for 2 days (it’s best warmed in the toaster after the first day) or can be sliced and frozen for up to 6 months.
This recipe is adapted from No-Knead Everyday Bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $4.00
Calories: 157
Keyword: baking, bread recipe, easy bread recipe, Homemade bread, no-knead bread
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About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

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