No knead Olive Bread Recipe - easy to make and filled with salty kalamata olives and garlic. This delicious rustic loaf made in the slow cooker is simple and delicious!
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👩🏻🍳 Olive Bread Recipe Back Story
I admit it - I don't have the patience to bake my own bread. All the kneading, and the rising, and the fuss...I just don't have that kind of time or energy.
But what's better than fresh-baked bread on your dinner table? Nothing! EXCEPT maybe fresh-baked bread that was super-easy to make and required NO KNEADING at all!
So when someone told me that it was possible to bake bread without any kneading, and using a slow cooker, I was absolutely interested!
The basic technique for slow cooker bread is to combine the flour with quick-rising yeast and water, let it rest, form it into a round and let it rest again, then place it in the slow cooker on high.
Believe it or not, you can make really good bread that way! And you can add all sorts of mix-ins for interesting combinations. For this loaf, I chose Kalamata olives and Parmesan cheese. So yummy!
I love the texture of bread that this technique yields. It is a little denser than bread made in a more traditional way, but it is not heavy or overly chewy and it is way better than store-bought!
🥘 Ingredients Needed
For a complete list of ingredients for this olive bread recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- bread flour - bread flour will give you the best texture but you can use all-purpose flour in a pinch.
- instant or quick rise yeast - great for getting quick results!
- garlic - a little bit of zing.
- Kalamata olives - adds great texture and flavor.
- Parmesan cheese - keeps the bread from drying out and adds a nutty flavor.
- cornmeal (optional) - use to keep your dough from sticking to the parchment paper.
🔪 Instructions
Please note: This is an overview of the instructions. You'll find the complete instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine the flour and yeast in a large bowl. Add the garlic, chopped olives, and Parmesan cheese and combine.
- Add the water and combine with the flour mixture. Cover the bowl and allow to sit for 1 and ½ hours.
- On a large piece of parchment paper, sprinkle flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place on the parchment, mold into a round and cover again. Allow to rest for ½ hour.
- Heat the slow cooker to high. Carefully then pick up the parchment paper and transfer the loaf to the slow cooker. Place paper towels on top of the slow cooker, and the lid over the towels.
- Cook on high for 2 hours. Cool on a rack before slicing.
👪 FAQs
Keep it wrapped in a paper bag but cover the cut end with plastic wrap. Don't refrigerate slow cooker bread, it will actually dry out the bread more. Store it in a bread box or on the countertop.
Yes, this freezes well. Be sure to allow it to cool and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Freeze up to three weeks.
It does! If you make or buy fresh bread often, a breadbox will help it keep longer.
💭 Top Tips
Another advantage to making slow cooker bread is that it leaves your oven free for other things, which is perfect for holiday meals or get togethers when you have lots of other things that need time in the oven.
💡 Serving Suggestions
Isn't this bread in the slow cooker easy to make? I think so too! If you're wondering what to serve with it - here are my favorites!
- This healthier twist on spaghetti has some hidden vegetables that make it better for you and taste better too!
- Eggplant Parmesan - made in the air fryer it eliminates a lot of the fat from frying. The slow cooker bread goes great with this meal!
- If you love Tex-Mex, then a Doritos Casserole is another great choice to serve with this olive bread recipe! With layers of chips, cheese, beans and salsa, it's a favorite even the kids gobble up!
🍞 More Bread Recipes
Looking for a yummy, easy to make bite? These pretzel bites with olive and Parmesan are seriously good. The hardest part of this recipe? Not eating them all yourself! YUMMY!
Loving this recipe? Then be sure and try this one for Slow Cooker Bread - it has Parmesan cheese and garlic - it's just so good!
This recipe for homemade artisan bread has step by step instructions if you're a beginner and looking to expand upon your bread making abilities!
Check out this story on how to make this Slow Cooker Olive Bread Recipe!
Slow Cooker Bread
Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!
📋 Recipe Card
Easy Slow Cooker Olive Parmesan Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast quick rise
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ⅔ cup Kalamata olives diced
- 1 cup water
- cornmeal or additional flour to prevent sticking
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast and Parmesan cheese.3 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Sprinkle in the garlic and olives while mixing to prevent clumping.1 tablespoon garlic, ⅔ cup Kalamata olives
- Add water and stir until all of the flour mixture has been incorporated (dough will be very sticky).1 cup water
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to sit for 1 and ½ hours.
- On a large piece of parchment paper, sprinkle flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on the parchment paper, then mold into a round and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for ½ hour.cornmeal
- Remove the plastic wrap from the dough. Heat the slow cooker to high, then pick up the parchment paper and use it to transfer to the slow cooker. Lower the parchment paper into the slow cooker and tuck or cut to fit under the lid.
- Place paper towels on top of the slow cooker, then place the lid over the towels.
- Cook on high for 2 hours, then remove.
- If more of a brown crust is desired, bake at 400 degrees in the oven for 15-20 minutes (optional).
- Cool on a rack before serving.
Notes
- A great advantage to this bread is that it leaves your oven open, which means you can prepare multiple dishes at the same time.
- Store this bread in a paper bad but cover the cut end with plastic wrap. Don't keep the bread in the fridge to prevent drying out. Or, if you want to keep the bread for a longer period of time, it can be stored in the freezer.
Video
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in August 2013, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in July 2019.
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I highly recommend this recipe to my friends and workmates. It's perfect.
Barbara
Thanks for this and for the oven substitutes. I only have a 3 qt instant pot -- too small for this recipe. But I'm so going to try it! I can almost taste it!
Kristin
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it!
Gail Montero
I've never tried making bread in my slow cooker and now you've totally inspired me! Love this!
Heather
I actually love making bread but I also love a good shortcut! I had no idea you could make bread in the slow cooker. This bread was delicious! Great flavor!
Kate
I've never tried making bread in the slow cooker before - have always been dubious it could turn out well but you have totally convinced me to have a go! Love olive bread and this one looks stunning.
Beth
That bread looks perfect! I've never made bread in my slow cooker. Can't wait to give this a try!
Courtney
The whole family loved this bread! It was so easy to make - and we really enjoyed the olives!
Nancy Goodwin
I don't see any comments of anybody actually making the bread and telling us how they liked it. Would love to hear what people thought after actually making the bread! 🙂
Carole
Can this be cooked in the oven instead of the slow cooker, if so what would be the temp and time?
Kristin
I haven't done it in the oven, but you could try it! If I were to attempt it myself, I think I would set the oven at 375 degrees and bake for 30 minutes, and then check it to see if it needed more time. Good luck! 🙂
Cat
Hi, I would like to know if regular active dry yeast can be used instead of the rapid-rise type? Any kind of yeast is scarce right now, even online, and I cannot find any rapid-rise. I do realize that if I use regular yeast the rising/resting times will be longer. I just wasn't sure how the dough would be affected in the slow cooker once baking begins. Thanks!
Kristin
Hi Cat! Yes, it is really hard to find yeast right now so I totally understand - you have to use what you can find! I have not used regular yeast in this recipe myself, but I did a little research for you and here is what I found from cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/6620-yeast-types/: "To substitute active dry for instant (or rapid rise) yeast: Use 25 percent more active dry. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of instant yeast, use 1 1/4 teaspoons of active dry. And don't forget to "prove" the yeast, i.e. dissolving it in a portion of the water from the recipe, heated to 105 degrees." So you will need to switch around the recipe a little. I hope it works for you!
Cat
Thank you so much for the prompt reply and also for taking the time to research a very helpful hint. I really appreciate that!
Kristin
Oh sure thing! I hope it turns out OK! 🙂
EB
I'm making it right now. Or at least it's sitting now until transferring to crock pot. I had to add a dash of water because mine wasn't very sticky.... I might have messed up already. Will keep you posted
Kristin
I have found it is a pretty forgiving recipe so hopefully it worked out for you! 🙂