1. Mix the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add the garlic and herbs if using.
2. Pour in the lukewarm water and mix thoroughly with a spoon or silicone spatula until the ingredients are combined. The dough will be sticky – this is normal.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
4. Once the dough has risen, place it in a greased baking dish (e.g. a loaf pan). You can lightly flour the top.
5. Place the bread in a cold oven and set the temperature to 200 °C (400 °F). Bake for about 45–50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
6. Once the bread is baked, remove it from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack.
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### **Serving and storage tips:**
– The bread tastes best warm, spread with herb butter or drizzled with olive oil.
– Store in a cloth bag or wrapped in paper – stays fresh for 2–3 days.
– To extend shelf life, freeze slices and reheat in a toaster.
### **Variations:**
– **Cheese:** Add ½ cup grated cheese (e.g. mozzarella, cheddar) to the dough.
– **Spice:** Add a pinch of chili pepper or chopped jalapeño.
– **Herbaceous:** Enhance the flavor with fresh herbs like parsley, basil or thyme.
– **Gluten-free:** Use a gluten-free flour blend – the texture will be different, but the flavor will still be delicious.
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**FAQs:**
No-Knead Garlic Bread – Homemade Oven-Baked Success
