Spelt Bread Loaf (No-Knead)

Name: Spelt Bread Loaf (No-Knead)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 350 min
Ingredients: 3 cups (450 g) white spelt flour (See Note 1); 1 tsp instant dry yeast (See Note 2); 1 tsp sugar (See Note 3); 1 1/2 tsp coarse kitchen salt (See Note 4); 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (See Note 5); 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) water - at room temperature

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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In the culinary world, there are few things more satisfying than making your own bread, and my No-Knead Spelt Bread Loaf is truly delicious. It is a simple recipe that could not be easier to make as it requires no more than 10 minutes of hands-on time. As well, it contains just 6 ingredients, including water. That is all you require to make this hearty, full of flavour bread.

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Why we love this recipe:
Ingredients in this recipe:
Step by step instructions:
Tips for success and FAQs:
More delicious recipes for you to try:
Spelt Bread Loaf (No-Knead)

Why we love this recipe:

One of the great advantages of using spelt flour is that it doesn’t like to be handled too much. The gluten in spelt flour is more fragile, so it is important to take care to not over-work or over-mix the dough. Bread making does not get easier than this!

We love this easy Spelt Bread Loaf because:

Spelt is an ancient grain. According to Wikipedia, it has been cultivated since approximately 5,000 BC and has not been genetically modified.

It is suitable for vegans.

The bread has a lovely flavour.

It is delicious toasted.

Just basic ingredients, all readily available in the supermarket, is all it contains.

The long fermentation helps develop flavour in the bread.

We do not pre-heat the oven. We place the dough directly into a cold oven.

It is a basic, rustic loaf, ideal for beginner bread bakers.

Although our Spelt Bread does contain gluten, many find it much easier to break down and digest than wheat gluten. It is not suitable for coeliacs.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

White Spelt Flour – As with wheat flour, spelt comes in two forms, white and wholegrain. I have used organic white spelt flour which is similar in appearance and texture to regular plain/all-purpose flour and has a mild flavour.

Instant dry yeast – You can add this yeast directly to the dry ingredients. You do not need to activate it first.

Water – I use filtered water as it is believed that chlorinated water may slow the growth of yeast or even stop it from working altogether.

Sugar – A small amount helps activate the yeast.

Olive oil – Helps keep the dough moist and adds to the texture as well as the flavour.

Salt – Without salt, the bread will be bland. I use coarse sea salt in the dough, not table salt, which is finer and stronger.

Three slices of bread sitting on a wooden board.

Step by step instructions:

Steps 1-4 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - adding the ingredients to a bowl, mixing the ingredients with water, the dough in a bread tin, and covered in cling film ready to rise.

Line a loaf tin with non-stick baking paper.

Add the spelt flour to a medium-sized bowl. Add the yeast, sugar, olive oil and salt to the flour.
Make a well in the centre and slowly pour in the water, stirring as you pour. Continue to mix for a minute or two, until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Turn the dough into the prepared loaf tin. Using a dampened spatula, gently smooth the top of the bread.
Upturn a large bowl to cover the loaf tin and set aside to proof. Alternatively, tent a large plastic bag above the tin, ensuring that it will not touch the dough as it rises.
After about 5 hours, the dough will have doubled in size and be bubbly and soft.
Transfer the loaf tin to a cold oven. Turn the oven to 200 degrees C (400 F) and cook the loaf for 40 minutes.
Turn the bread out of the tin onto a cooling rack. Tap the base and if it sounds hollow the bread is cooked. Leave to cool on the wire rack.

Overhead shot of loaf of bread sitting on a rack.

Tips for success and FAQs:

Spelt bread tends to dry out more than wheat bread, so to compensate, the dough contains more moisture than bread dough which is kneaded. As the dough is very soft, it does not hold its shape. To compensate, it is necessary to bake the bread in a tin to provide structure.

Unless you are certain that your baking tin is non-stick, I strongly recommend you line it with non-stick baking paper. Leaving some overhanging also helps to remove the bread from the tin.

Does spelt flour contain gluten?

There has been some confusion as to whether spelt flour contains gluten. A few misleading articles have caused some people to believe it does not. However, this is not correct; spelt flour does contain gluten. It is easier to digest than wheat and is sometimes suggested as an alternative for some people who have a mild sensitivity. However, I must emphasise that it is not suitable for people with coeliac disease or many people with gluten intolerance.

Can I add salt at the same time as the yeast?

Yes, you can do this. If you add all your ingredients at the same time and immediately start mixing, the salt will not have time to interfere with the growth of the yeast. I still like to keep them separate when I add them to the bowl. However, you don’t want to add salt to the top of the yeast and set it aside for a while or it may kill the yeast.

Can I use active dry yeast?

Yes, you can. However, you will need to activate it first. To do this, dissolve the yeast and the sugar in a little warm water. It must not be hot, or it may destroy the yeast. Set it aside for 10 minutes, or until it bubbles. Then, add it to the flour with the remaining ingredients and follow the rest of the recipe as listed. If it does not bubble, this means the yeast is dead and you will need to start with a new packet.

Can I use half wholemeal and half white spelt flour?

Yes, you can. I have tried it, but I personally prefer the milder flavour of the white flour. As well, using the combination of flours made the bread less crusty. If you decide to use both, you may need to add a small amount of additional water as wholemeal flour absorbs more moisture than white.

How long does the Spelt Bread Loaf last and can it be frozen?

As with most homemade bread, it is at its best the day it is made. Store it, well covered, in a plastic bag or airtight container for up to 4 days. If the weather is humid, store it in the fridge to prevent the growth of mould. To freeze the bread, when the loaf is cool, cut it into slices and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Overhead shot of loaf of bread with some slices cut.

More delicious recipes for you to try:

Like our Spelt Focaccia, our Spelt Bread Loaf is delicious with many things. Here are some of our favourites:

Treat yourself and your loved ones to an easily prepared, homemade, loaf of bread. It is a simple loaf with great flavour and is ideal for family meals. Enjoy it freshly baked with some good quality butter or extra virgin olive oil. As well, it makes lovely toast, perfect to serve for breakfast or to accompany a bowl of homemade soup. The bread made from this ancient grain is certain to become a regular at your table.

Alex xx