This no-rise, no-fuss, delicious slow cooker bread recipe is packed with basil pesto and probably one of the most flavorful bread recipes you will ever make!
Line a 6-quart slow cooker with parchment paper and set aside.
Place yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add water and continue to stir until combined. Add in the flour, olive oil, basil pesto, and salt; stir with a wooden spoon until well incorporated and a shaggy dough begins to form.
Turn out the dough onto a floured working surface and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. IF the dough is sticky, add a little more flour, about one tablespoon at a time.
Place the ball of dough in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the top with dried parsley and salt.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until golden on the bottom. The internal temperature of the baked bread should register at 200˚F.
Remove the bread from the slow cooker together with parchment paper and place on a baking sheet.
Place the bread under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Remove the bread from the oven and set it on a cooling rack. Let rest until completely cooled before cutting and serving.
Broiling Step: The slow cooker won't brown the bread. For a golden crust, transfer it to a baking sheet and broil for 4 to 5 minutes.
Check the Temperature: Ensure the bread's internal temperature hits 200°F to confirm it’s cooked through.
Cooling Time: Let the bread cool thoroughly before cutting. The internal steam helps cook the bread from the inside, even after it's out of the oven. Cutting it early can halt this process, creating undesirable chewy, gooey texture and structural integrity.
Measurements: It’s crucial to highlight that "3-3/4 cups" indicates 3 full cups plus an additional 3/4 cup, totaling 3.75 cups, and not 3 instances of 3/4 cups. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding has led several readers to make a bread that was gooey, undercooked, and chewy.
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: crock pot bread recipe, crock pot recipes, slow cooker bread recipe, slow cooker recipes