Dutch Oven Garlic Rosemary Bread (Printable Version)

Aromatic crusty bread baked in a Dutch oven with garlic and rosemary, featuring golden crust and soft interior.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 1/4 cups bread flour
02 - 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Aromatics

06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

→ For Dusting & Baking

08 - Extra flour or cornmeal for dusting

# How To Make:

01 - Whisk together bread flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl until thoroughly blended.
02 - Pour in lukewarm water and olive oil, stirring until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Gently fold in minced garlic and chopped rosemary until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
04 - Cover bowl with plastic wrap or damp towel. Let dough rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours until doubled in size.
05 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. With floured hands, gently shape into a round ball without deflating.
06 - Place dough seam-side down on parchment paper. Cover loosely and let rise 30-45 minutes until puffy.
07 - Position Dutch oven with lid in cold oven. Preheat to 450°F for at least 30 minutes to ensure thorough heating.
08 - Carefully remove preheated Dutch oven. Lift dough using parchment paper and lower into the hot vessel.
09 - Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes to create steam and develop crust structure.
10 - Remove lid and continue baking 12-15 minutes until crust achieves deep golden brown color.
11 - Transfer bread to wire rack. Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing to preserve interior texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crust gets impossibly crunchy while staying tender inside, no fancy techniques needed
  • That moment you lift the lid and golden steam billows out feels like pure kitchen magic
02 -
  • Do not skip preheating the Dutch oven, because that initial blast of heat is non negotiable for proper oven spring
  • Resist the urge to add more flour during shaping, as sticky dough actually yields better texture and a more open crumb
03 -
  • Roast the garlic cloves in a little olive oil before mixing them in for a sweeter, milder flavor
  • The Dutch oven technique works because it creates a mini steam oven, trapping moisture that keeps the crust crisp

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