Crusty No Knead Einkorn Bread Recipe (Dutch Oven)

If you’ve been searching for an easy einkorn bread recipe, this no-knead version is the perfect place to start. Einkorn flour is an ancient grain with a nutty flavor, golden color, and lighter gluten structure, which many people find easier to digest than modern wheat.

With just four ingredients – flour, water, yeast, and salt- you’ll bake a crusty, flavorful loaf that looks bakery-worthy but takes hardly any hands-on work. This bread is perfect for beginners, and the Dutch oven method ensures a beautiful rise and golden crust every time.

Bread made with einkorn flour

Making homemade bread couldn’t be easier with this no knead recipe. We’re using einkorn flour today, friends!

Are you new to the ancient grain einkorn? 

Read What Is Einkorn and learn all about this amazing ancient grain that hasn’t been changed.

I’ll share a few things below that you’ll want to know about einkorn wheat, but if you’d like a more detailed dive into this perfect healthy flour, be sure to check out the blog post about it.

Einkorn is an old heirloom wheat variety.

It is grown mostly in European countries and this ancient grain is prized because of the lower levels of gluten and that it still holds a non-GMO status.

The plant has tighter tusks and smaller berries than traditional wheat and can withstand growing in tough conditions.

Einkorn flour is not gluten-free, however, it has a weak gluten structure than modern wheat varieties which makes it easier to digest for those with gluten sensitivities. Einkorn lacks the gluten proteins that often trigger gluten sensitivity.

People with celiac disease or an extreme allergy to gluten should still avoid einkorn because it does contain gluten.

Making einkorn bread at home

I’ve been making homemade bread for years now and am such a fan. It’s actually EASY!

It tastes better because it is super fresh.

You can control the ingredients. 

You impress those around you.

Why not give homemade bread a try?

This crusty einkorn bread recipe is based on my crusty no knead dutch oven bread. The original recipe uses white flour, but here we swap in einkorn flour. 

That recipe has served me for many, many years and still works every time. 

I wanted to make the original recipe slightly healthier, so I’ve been using einkorn flour. We love this loaf just as much as the original!

Why use einkorn flour?

Einkorn flour is perfect for no knead recipes because makes a more sticky dough than traditional all purpose flour or whole wheat flour bread. 

Because of its weaker gluten structure, it does well with less mixing. Because einkorn does not have as much gluten as modern-day wheat can be easier to digest.

Einkorn flour is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than white flour and also naturally contains essential nutrients.

Baking with einkorn flour

Baking with einkorn flour can sound trickier because the dough becomes more sticky, but it’s truly not! 

Simply follow the steps in the recipe and you’ll find the dough comes together really easily.

In fact, I prefer the no-knead method because it is less work and I love the texture of this bread. It is not dense bread and such a simple recipe!

What you’ll need for no knead einkorn bread

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• All purpose einkorn flour – The star of the recipe! Einkorn is an ancient wheat that behaves differently than modern flour. It absorbs water differently and creates a slightly denser, golden loaf with a nutty, rich flavor.
• Sea salt – Just enough to enhance flavor and balance the natural sweetness of the flour.
• Active dry yeast – You can use active dry or instant yeast. This provides the rise, since einkorn has weaker gluten strands and benefits from yeast for structure.
• Water – Lukewarm water helps the yeast activate and hydrate the flour evenly.

How to make no knead einkorn bread

Step 1: Mix the einkorn flour, sea salt, and yeast together in a large bowl. Combine water until fully mixed.

Step 2: Cover the dough with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and allow it to sit in the mixing bowl for a minimum of 3 hours up to 12 hours at room temperature or in a warm place for the dough to rise.

Step 3: When it’s time to bake, place the dutch oven in the oven and turn the heat to 450 to heat the dutch oven. You’re going to let it heat up for 1 hour.

Step 4: After 30 minutes of heating, take a spoon and scrape around the edges of the dough to deflate slightly, and let the dough rest for 30 minutes. 

Step 5: After the dutch oven has heated for 1 hour, and the dough has rested for 30 minutes after scraping down the edges, carefully remove the heated dutch oven from the oven, take the lid off and pour the dough into the pan. Place the lid on and bake for 25 minutes.

Step 6: After 25 minutes, remove the lid and allow the bread to bake and crusty up for 5 more minutes.

Step 7: When done baking, remove the loaf from the dutch oven and place it on a wire rack to cool.

Watch me make this recipe!

Watch below, or head over to YouTube to watch me make this recipe!

What size dutch oven works best for einkorn bread?

For this loaf, a 2.5-3-quart oval dutch oven works best (updated to a smaller size as it works better!)

If you use a larger round dutch oven, just know your loaf may be a little flatter and the cooking time could be a little less by using a larger pot.

Can You Make Einkorn Sandwich Bread?

Yes – this no knead einkorn dough works wonderfully as sandwich bread! Instead of baking in a Dutch oven, simply line a loaf pan with parchment paper and transfer the dough in.

• Loaf size: Use one standard bread pan for a larger loaf, or divide the dough into two smaller pans for perfectly portioned loaves.
• Bake time: About 25–30 minutes, depending on your oven and pan size.
• Doneness check: For best results, use a kitchen thermometer — your bread is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F.

The result is a soft, sliceable loaf that’s ideal for sandwiches, toast with peanut butter, or even as the base for homemade French toast with maple syrup.

Can You Use Quick-Rise Yeast?

This recipe is written with active dry yeast, but if all you have is quick-rise (instant) yeast, you can absolutely use it! The beauty of this no knead einkorn bread recipe is that it’s very forgiving.

Quick-rise yeast simply works faster, which means your dough will puff up more quickly. I use the same amount as active dry yeast, but my minimum rise time shortens to about 2 hours. After that, you can still let the dough sit out longer for even more flavor development.

That’s what makes this recipe so approachable – you don’t have to monitor it closely. Just mix, let it rise, and bake when you’re ready.

Can you substitute whole wheat einkorn flour?

Yes, you can! I’ve tested this recipe using whole wheat einkorn flour, and it works beautifully – the loaf comes out hearty, flavorful, and just as simple to make.

If you’d like to try it, I have a full recipe with step-by-step instructions right here: Easy No Knead Whole Wheat Einkorn Bread.

If you give the whole wheat version a try, let me know in the comments how it turned out for you!

Storage & freezing einkorn bread

Yes – you can absolutely freeze einkorn bread! Here’s how to keep it fresh:

• Cool completely – Let the loaf cool fully before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.
• Store at room temperature – Keep in a bread bag or airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze for later – Place the cooled loaf (whole or sliced) in a freezer-safe bag, press out excess air, label with the date, and freeze for up to 6 months.
• Defrost easily – Set the loaf or slices on the counter for a few hours. To refresh, pop in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes until warmed and crusty again.

Pro tip: This recipe can be doubled or tripled if you have multiple pans. Bake once, stock your freezer, and enjoy fresh homemade einkorn bread any time you like!

Looking for another einkorn recipe? Try one of these!

• Whole wheat einkorn bread
• Pumpkin einkorn bread
• Sausage and kale pizza with einkorn crust
• Mini einkorn pizza bites
• No sugar banana cake

Happy Baking! If you try this no knead einkorn bread recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published March 2020. Updated October 2025.