The easiest homemade bread recipe is the kind of recipe everyone should have in their kitchen. It requires no kneading, no eggs, and no butter, yet it produces soft, fluffy, golden bread that tastes even better than store-bought. This simple method works for beginners, busy people, students, and anyone who wants fresh bread without effort. The dough comes together in minutes, and the rest of the work is done by time and heat.
This loaf cooks directly in a skillet or pan, making it a perfect recipe for those who do not have an oven or prefer fast stovetop cooking. With only a handful of affordable ingredients—flour, yeast, water, sugar, oil, and salt—you can make warm and fresh bread anytime, even on a tight budget. The texture is light, soft, and slightly chewy, making it great for sandwiches, breakfast, or dipping into soups and sauces.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon yeast
Warm water as needed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Start by bringing all your ingredients to room temperature. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix gently so the yeast is evenly distributed among the dry ingredients. This ensures even rising and prevents clumps.
Add warm water slowly while stirring. The water should be warm but not hot. Add just enough water to create a sticky dough. The goal is a loose, soft dough—not too firm and not too runny. Because this is a no-knead recipe, the dough will appear slightly wet, which is completely normal.
Once the mixture comes together, add the vegetable oil. Mix briefly to incorporate. The oil helps develop a soft texture and prevents the dough from sticking too much.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise for about one hour. During this time, the dough will become airy and bubbly. The rise is important because it develops the bread’s structure and flavor.
After rising, prepare your pan by brushing it lightly with oil. Pour the dough directly into the pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to spread it gently and evenly. Do not press too hard; keep the dough light so it stays fluffy.
Cover the pan and let the dough rest for ten to fifteen minutes. This short rest helps relax the dough and gives it a better rise during cooking.
Set the pan over very low heat and cover it. Let the bread cook slowly. You will notice small bubbles forming on the surface as the dough cooks from the bottom. After several minutes, check the underside. When the bottom turns golden, it is time to flip.
Gently flip the bread using a wide spatula. Cover the pan again and let the other side cook until golden. The cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the dough and the heat level, but typically takes around twelve to fifteen minutes total.
Once both sides are golden and cooked through, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool slightly. The bread will feel light and soft when pressed.
Texture and Flavor
The texture of this no-knead bread is surprisingly tender despite the minimal ingredients. The interior stays fluffy, with small air pockets that make it perfect for spreading butter, cheese, jam, or honey. The outer layer develops a beautiful golden crust thanks to the pan’s heat.
Because the recipe contains no eggs or butter, the bread has a clean, neutral flavor that pairs well with both savory and sweet fillings. It is a great everyday bread for sandwiches, breakfast toast, or dipping into olive oil, soups, and sauces.
Why This Recipe Works
This bread works because the rising time replaces kneading. Yeast creates air bubbles that develop the structure naturally, making the dough light without physical effort. Cooking the loaf in a pan traps heat inside, creating a mini-oven effect that cooks the bread evenly.
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Tips for Best Results
Use warm—not hot—water to activate the yeast properly.
Let the dough rise fully; patience makes softer bread.
Keep the stove at low heat to avoid burning the bottom.
Use a nonstick pan for easiest cooking and flipping.
Add herbs, garlic powder, or sesame seeds for extra flavor.
Variations
Whole wheat version: Replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour.
Garlic bread: Brush with garlic butter after cooking.
Cheese bread: Add grated cheese on top for the last minutes of cooking.
Herb bread: Add oregano, thyme, or rosemary to the dough.
Storage
Store the bread in a sealed bag at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze slices and reheat them in a pan or toaster. The bread stays soft even after reheating.