Easy no-knead sourdough bread that can be made using einkorn or any flour! The perfect crusty bread to go with soup or just on its own.
This einkorn sourdough bread is easier than you might think. It's almost completely hands-off once you have your sourdough starter, and is easier to digest than regular bread!
UPDATED: This was one of the first sourdough recipes I created about 5 years ago. Having crafted it now for many years, I am sharing the new and improved version with you!
My love of sourdough started with my sourdough crackers, and moved on to sourdough bread... I've even been making sourdough cookies!!
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While it can be a little tricky to get the timing right with sourdough bread, once you have it down you'll never want any other kind!
Plus, is there anything more gorgeous than a big beautiful loaf of artisan sourdough bread right out of the oven?
Einkorn Sourdough Bread
This einkorn sourdough bread is easier than you might think. It's almost completely hands-off once you have your sourdough starter, and is easier to digest than regular bread!
Just like with the sourdough crackers, you want to make sure that you have your sourdough starter aged at least 7 days.
Step 1:
Take 2 tablespoons of 100% hydration starter, mix with 1/2 cup of warm water to loosen the paste. Then add in 1 cup of einkorn flour. Mix until well combined and leave out on on the counter over night (at least 12 hours), covered with plastic wrap and then a dish towel.
The towel serves to protect the starter from the light, which can cause it to change colors... which you would then have to scrap off!
Step 2:
Once you have the sponge ready to go, mix the contents of the sponge with 1 and 1/4 cups of warm water until loosened.
Next, add 5 cups of einkorn flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well either by hand or with an electric mixer. If using a mixer, mix on low for 5-10 minutes.
This extended mixing time helps activate the gluten in the einkorn, which is much lower than other wheat.
Place dough into a buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, let rise for 6-10 hours or until size has doubled.
Step 3:
Remove dough from bowl, form into the shape loaf you want, and place it for second rise in whatever dish you will bake in. I like to bake this on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Cover with just a towel this time. Let rise for 2 hours.
Step 4:
Pre-heat oven to 425°. Slash top of bread in whatever pattern you choose, 1/4" deep, with a sharp knife. Butter top of dough, if desired.
Bake at 425° for 40 minutes, rotating bread 180 degrees halfway through baking. For a softer loaf, bake for 10 minutes at 425° and 40 minutes at 375°.
Step 5:
Wait about an hour before cutting the loaf. This allows the crumb to set, which is especially important with einkorn flour.
RELATED: Sourdough Pancakes
Einkorn No-Knead Sourdough Bread
Easy no-knead sourdough bread that can be made using einkorn or any flour! The perfect crusty bread to go with soup or just on its own.
Ingredients
Sponge
- 2 tbsp Sourdough Starter, active
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup flour (we use einkorn)
No-Knead Sourdough Bread
- Sponge
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 5 cups flour (we use einkorn)
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
Make Sponge:
Mix starter and water to loosen. Add flour and mix until well combined. Leave out on on the counter over night (at least 12 hours), covered with plastic wrap and then a dish towel.
Making Bread Dough
Mix sponge and 1 1/4 cup of water in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth.
Next, add 5 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well either by hand or with an electric mixer. If using a mixer, mix on low for 5-10 minutes.
Place dough into a buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, let rise for 6-10 hours or until size has doubled.
Remove dough from bowl, form into the shape loaf you want, and place it for second rise in whatever dish you will bake in. Cover with just a towel this time. Let rise for 2 hours.
Pre-heat oven to 425°. Slash top of bread in whatever pattern you choose, 1/4″ deep, with a sharp knife.
Bake at 425° for 40 minutes, rotating bread 180 degrees halfway through baking. For a softer loaf, bake for 10 minutes at 425° and 40 minutes at 375°.
Allow to cool for 1 hour before slicing.
Clay Huffman says
Hi! I’ve been trying to make a few sourdough loaves, over the course of a few weeks. I’ve followed this recipe and the one from Jovial, but unfortunately my bread isn’t coming out sour:/ turns out really great looking, just no tang! Do you think this could be a starter issue? Starter tastes pretty sour and gets a decent rise every night..
Victoria says
Hi Clay, it sounds like maybe your starter is still too young for a proper sour. It gets more and more sour over time. I have found that feeding 2x a day for a few weeks will really help get the sour going.
How old is your starter?
Rita Shimniok says
I just took a sourdough making class yesterday at Fermentation Fest in Reedsburg, WI. I am excited to make sourdough bread and Einkorn has been my preferred flour for baked goods. Thank you for this recipe.
I learned if you refrigerate your starter, versus letting it sit room temperature, it will have more tang. For less acidic sourdough use the warmer starter. If you are not making bread for a while refrigerate to slow it down, but several days before you plan to back remove it from the refrigerator and continue to feed it. We were sent home some wet starter from class so I am feeding it 75 grams of einkorn flour and 75 grams of 80 degree wate twice a day. With plans to bake at the end of the week. Are you baking your artisan loaf in a Dutch oven or what are you using?
Victoria says
Hi Rita! Sounds like a great class! I have an einkorn specific sourdough class that I teach too, I’m glad you had a local class to take advantage of!
For this recipe, I just bake it on a baking tray, since most people don’t have a dutch oven.
I do have a recipe for a dutch oven, cold rise loaf that’s included in my class The Art of Sourdough. It’s a gorgeous and truly delicious loaf!
You can use a dutch oven for this recipe at the same temperature and timing :-)
Linda says
I would love to try this bread…I bake exclusively with Einkorn…but I really need baker’s measurements to make a loaf consistent time and time again. Any chance you can convert this recipe to grams in the near future?
Victoria says
Hi Linda! I don’t have current plans to convert, but this recipe is VERY forgiving. I’ve made it for almost 5 years without any issues and only loosely measuring flour each time :-) I hope you get to try it!