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Few things beat the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven, especially when it’s packed with savory garlic and Parmesan.
This No Knead Garlic Parmesan Dutch Oven Bread is one of those recipes that feels impressive but is actually incredibly simple to make. The dough comes together in minutes, rises while you go about your day, and bakes into a golden artisan loaf with a crisp crust and soft, flavorful interior.
The combination of garlic herb seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and chives creates a loaf that pairs perfectly with pasta, soups, and cozy family dinners. If you already love my Dutch Oven Cheddar Bread or the bold flavor of my Jalapeño Cheddar Dutch Oven Artisan Bread, this garlic Parmesan version is another must-try variation.
It’s simple, hearty, and the kind of bread that disappears quickly once it hits the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No kneading required
- Crispy bakery-style crust from the Dutch oven
- Loaded with garlic herb flavor and Parmesan cheese
- Perfect alongside pasta, soups, and comfort meals
- Easy to customize with different herbs or cheeses
This recipe is another variation of the artisan bread method used in several of my bread recipes, including my No Knead Dutch Oven Pizza Bread.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Warm water
- Instant yeast
- Salt-free garlic and herb seasoning
- Salt
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Freeze-dried chives
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Full measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl – Allows you to combine the dough ingredients and gives the dough room to rise.
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula – Helps mix the high-hydration dough evenly.
- Dutch oven – Creates the steamy environment needed for a crisp artisan crust.
- Parchment paper or bread sling – Makes it much easier and safer to transfer the dough into the hot Dutch oven and lift the finished loaf out after baking.
- Cooling rack – Allows air to circulate around the loaf as it cools so the crust stays crisp.
How to Make No Knead Garlic Parmesan Dutch Oven Bread
This dough is intentionally high hydration, which means it will look shaggy and sticky when mixed. That’s exactly what you want.
The water activates the yeast and hydrates the flour, while the garlic herb seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and chives distribute throughout the dough to flavor the entire loaf.
Because the dough rises slowly and bakes in a covered Dutch oven, steam builds inside the pot during the first part of baking. This helps create the signature artisan bread crust while keeping the inside tender.
Once the lid is removed and the temperature is reduced, the crust finishes browning and the cheese on top lightly caramelizes, creating that irresistible golden finish.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintNo Knead Garlic Parmesan Dutch Oven Bread
This No Knead Garlic Parmesan Dutch Oven Bread is a savory artisan-style loaf loaded with shredded Parmesan, garlic herb seasoning, and chives. The simple high-hydration dough comes together with minimal effort and bakes into a golden crust with a soft, flavorful interior. It’s an easy homemade bread that pairs perfectly with pasta, soups, or served warm with butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Rise Time: 1-3 hours
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 TBSP instant yeast
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 TBSP salt-free garlic and herb seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 TBSP freeze-dried chives
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Water & Yeast – Add the yeast to the warm water and let sit while you mix your dry ingredients.
- Mix the Dough – In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, garlic and herb seasoning, salt, shredded Parmesan (except the reserved 1/4 cup), grated Parmesan, chives, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Add Water & Yeast – Pour in the warm water and yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until a shaggy dough forms and all flour is hydrated.
- Let the Dough Rise – Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for an hour, or at room temperature for 2–3 hours, or until doubled and bubbly.
- Preheat the Dutch Oven – Place a Dutch oven with lid into the oven and preheat to 450°F. Once your oven comes to temperature, immediately remove the Dutch Oven.
- Shape the Dough – Turn the dough onto parchment paper or a bread sling and and gently shape it into a round loaf.
- Transfer the Dough – Transfer your dough using the parchment or bread sling into your Dutch Oven. (The parchment / sling will stay in the dutch oven with the bread for easy removal)
- Add Topping – Sprinkle the reserved 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan and 1 tsp chives over the top of the loaf. You can also add 1 tsp of your seasoning and 1 TBSP of grated parm on this step too. (Optional)
- Bake – Cover and bake 20 minutes.
- Drop the Temp & Finish Baking – Drop the oven temp to 425°. Remove the lid and bake another 10–15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp. (If you don’t drop the temp, your bottom crust could set up too tough)
- Cool – Remove the loaf and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
-
Red pepper flakes are optional and add mild warmth without making the loaf spicy.
-
Parmesan on top creates a flavorful, lightly crisp cheese crust.
-
This dough is intentionally high hydration, which helps create a tender interior and crisp crust when baked in a Dutch oven.
Tips for Success
- If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise closer to 2–3 hours for the best texture.
- Use freshly shredded Parmesan when possible for the best flavor.
- Let the Dutch oven fully preheat so the bread begins baking immediately when placed inside.
- Allow the loaf to cool before slicing so the crumb can finish setting.
Tips for little helpers
If you’re serving this bread to kids who prefer milder flavors, simply leave out the red pepper flakes. The loaf will still have plenty of savory garlic and Parmesan flavor without any warmth.
Storage
Store leftover bread in an airtight container or bread bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
You can also slice the loaf and freeze individual pieces for quick reheating.
To refresh slices, warm them in the oven or toaster until the crust becomes crisp again.
Variations & Serving Ideas
This savory bread is incredibly versatile and pairs well with many meals.
Serve it alongside hearty soups, or comforting meals from my Easy Dinner Recipes collection.
It also makes an excellent side for pasta night or slow-cooked meals. If you’re serving it with pasta, consider making a batch of my homemade Marinara Sauce for dipping warm slices of this garlic parmesan bread.
A simple spread of Garlic Butter is another delicious way to enjoy this bread. The rich, savory butter melts beautifully into the warm crust and adds even more flavor to every bite.
If you enjoy baking with homemade dough, you might also like trying my Homemade Pizza Dough. It uses many of the same pantry staples and makes a soft, chewy crust that’s perfect for pizza night.
If you love homemade bread, you might also enjoy exploring more recipes from the Bread Recipes section of the site.
And when dinner is finished, don’t forget dessert — you can browse sweet recipes in the Desserts section or explore the full collection of All My Recipes on the site.
Final Thoughts
This No Knead Garlic Parmesan Dutch Oven Bread is one of those simple recipes that feels special every time you make it.
With minimal effort and a handful of pantry ingredients, you can create a bakery-style artisan loaf with bold garlic flavor, savory Parmesan, and a perfectly crisp crust.
It’s a recipe that fits right into cozy family dinners, weekend pasta nights, or anytime you want fresh homemade bread on the table.
& while you’re here, browse all of my Bread Recipes
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