While it might seem simple at first, the question “what size Dutch oven is best for baking bread?” has as many answers as there are bread recipes on Pinterest. That said, if you don’t own a Dutch oven yet, or you’re just getting started, there is one size of Dutch oven that will get the job done really well.
Can I cook bread in a smaller Dutch Oven?
If you already own a smaller Dutch oven, like this 3.5-quart Mini Dutch (or you think 5.5-quarts is a bit much) then good news! You can still cook all the bread recipes that were written for a larger Dutch.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind, however. For example, if you find yourself with a lot of dough, you might want to reduce the recipe by a third to fit nicely in the 3.5-quart Dutch oven. You could also divide the dough and cook two loaves instead, one after the other.
If you do this, keep in mind that it could affect the cooking time. You can check if a loaf is done by tapping it on the bottom and listening for a hollow sound. You can also use a food thermometer — if the loaf is 190 F (or 88 C) inside, it’s done.
While many bread recipes call for a 5.5-quart Dutch oven, there are some that are written especially for the 3.5-quart, like this tasty leek and potato loaf. Another benefit of using a 3.5-quart Dutch oven for baking loaves of bread is the convenience, especially if you regularly cook for just one or two people.
