Stovetop Soft Fluffy Bread (Printable)
Soft, fluffy bread made without an oven. Ready in under 2 hours using just a skillet.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons instant dry yeast
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for greasing
06 - 1 cup warm water (110°F)
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute yeast evenly.
02 - Add warm water and olive oil to the dry mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
05 - Punch down the risen dough to release air. Shape into a round loaf by tucking edges underneath.
06 - Grease a heavy-bottomed skillet or nonstick pan generously with olive oil. Place dough in the center.
07 - Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook over the lowest heat setting for 15 minutes. Check occasionally to prevent burning.
08 - Carefully flip the bread with a spatula. Cover and cook another 12–15 minutes until golden brown and hollow when tapped.
09 - Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing to prevent gummy texture.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- No oven required, which means fresh bread is possible in any kitchen or season
- The whole process takes under two hours from start to finish
- That bottom crust gets impossibly crispy in ways most home ovens can't achieve
02 -
- Low heat is non-negotiable, high heat will burn the bottom before the inside cooks through
- A tight-fitting lid creates the oven-like steam environment needed for proper rising
03 -
- Use a cast iron skillet for the most even heat distribution
- Don't lift the lid during the first 15 minutes or you'll lose the steam