This Instant Pot Bread Proofing Technique Is Genius

Gather the ingredients. The Spruce / Diana Rattray In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. If desired, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar. Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly and then add the lukewarm water and olive oil. Mix well. The dough will be a bit shaggy. The Spruce / Diana Rattray Oil the inner pot of the Instant Pot inner pot with a few teaspoons of olive oil. Choose the yogurt setting and make sure it is on the lowest setting, which is "less," or about 88 F. Place the dough in the pot. Cover the pot with a towel and place the glass lid or a plate over the top. Set the timer for 3 1/2 hours. The Spruce / Diana Rattray The Spruce / Diana Rattray When the time is up, scrape the dough out onto a floured surface and sprinkle more flour over it. Use a bench scraper or your floured hands to gently shape the dough into a relatively smooth ball. Handle the dough as little as possible to avoid deflating. Wipe out the inner pot. The Spruce / Diana Rattray The Spruce / Diana Rattray Transfer the dough ball to a floured sheet of parchment paper. Use the ends of the parchment paper to lift the dough into the Instant Pot. Once again, choose the yogurt setting and set the timer for 30 minutes. Replace the cloth and lid or plate. The Spruce / Diana Rattray About 15 minutes before the 30 minutes is up, place a covered 4-quart (or larger) Dutch oven or casserole in the oven and preheat to 450 F. Note: If the Dutch oven has a non-metal knob, remove it or replace it with a metal knob. The Spruce / Diana Rattray Carefully take the Dutch oven out of the oven and place it on a rack. Remove the cover. Use the ends of the parchment paper to lift the dough into the hot Dutch oven. Cover the pot and return it to the oven. The Spruce / Diana Rattray Bake the bread, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to bake for about 12 to 15 minutes longer, or until golden brown. The Spruce / Diana Rattray Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then remove to a rack. Cool completely before slicing. The Spruce / Diana Rattray