The Le Creuset Bread Oven takes home baking to the next level of delicious and beautiful. Crafted from our legendary cast iron for superior heat distribution, this purpose-built shape with its domed lid traps and circulates steam to create bakery-quality results. The matte black interior enamel is easy to clean, while the low-profile base promotes even browning and produces a golden, crispy crust marked with our hallmark three rings.
Le Creuset partnered with world-renowned Tartine Bakery and bread baking authority, Chad Robertson (author of Bread Book) to show how effortlessly easy it is to bake like the experts at home with the Bread Oven.
Shop
Crafted from Enameled Cast Iron
An icon of culinary perfection, the Le Creuset Bread Oven is crafted from enameled cast iron just like our legendary Dutch Ovens. The exceptional heat distribution and retention properties of our cast iron create the ideal conditions for baking not only bread, but all manner of sweet and savory baked goods, roasted meats and vegetables, and more. Oven-safe up to 500°F, the colorful exterior enamel is easy to clean and available in a wide variety of our iconic colors to coordinate with the rest of your Le Creuset collection.
Low-Profile Base
The low-profile base makes it easy to place dough in the Bread Oven and score it before baking, and then remove the beautiful loaves after they are baked. Raised interior ridges in the base raise the dough slightly to promote even browning and reduce sticking - no parchment necessary. The raised ridges also imprint the Le Creuset name and hallmark three rings in the bottom of the loaves to create a fun, joy moment.
Domed Lid
Designed more like a traditional bread cloche, the enameled cast iron domed lid fits tightly onto the base. This traps steam and heat inside the pot which creates the perfect environment for a crispy crust to form, and maximum rise and spring – it’s the best way to simulate a bakery steam oven at home. The radiant heat also keeps the temperature more consistent inside the Bread Oven to help minimize temperature fluctuations inside your oven. The result is bread with a perfect, golden brown crust and tender, interior crumb with maximum flavor.
Matte Black Interior Enamel
The interior of the Bread Oven features our matte black satin enamel for a richer crust color, easy cleaning and less sticking. It also won’t show oil stains or marks that are a natural result of baking. Similar to Le Creuset skillets and grill pans, the enamel will develop a patina over time to enhance baking performance and creates a more non-stick surface with every use. While the Bread Oven is dishwasher-safe, we recommend hand-washing – check out our guide for how to wash our matte black satin enamel pots and pans for an easy how-to.
Ergonomic Knobs and Handles
Every aspect of the Bread Oven design was carefully considered, and the knobs and handles are no exception. Large Signature loop handles help safely transport the vessel to/from the oven, even when wearing bulky oven mitts. And the generously sized ergonomic knob is strategically placed on the top of the domed lid for easy removal – no need to wrestle with awkward handles when attempting to remove the hot lid while baking.
How to Make Bread Oven Bread
Here is a step-by-step guideline for making a simple kneaded bread in the Le Creuset Bread Oven – be sure to also reference our recipe for Basic Bread Oven Bread for more detailed instructions on how to get started baking at home with the Bread Oven.
- Mix the ingredients – Whisk together flour, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl.
- Knead until smooth and elastic – Add water and stir to combine. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, and stretches to the point of transparency.
- First rise – Cover the bowl with a pot lid or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size.
- Shape the dough – Turn out the dough and lightly knead to release the gas. Shape the dough into a tight ball by rolling it on a work surface between your palms.
- Second rise – Lightly brush the base of the Bread Oven with a little oil. Place the dough in the center of the base and cover with the domed lid. Allow the dough to rise until roughly doubled in size again.
- Bake the bread – During the last 15 minutes of rising time, preheat the oven to 450°F. Score the bread, cover and place in the hot oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and reduce the oven temperature to 375°F. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes.
- Allow the bread to cool – Carefully remove the bread from the base and cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
