Discover the best Dutch ovens for bread baking in 2025-top-performing, high-quality picks for perfect crust, even heat, and artisan-level results.
As a seasoned chef and sourdough baker, I’ve tested countless Dutch Ovens. Here’s what you need to know and why. The best Dutch Ovens have three things in common, and trust me, you’ll want to know this BEFORE you buy.
This is because a Dutch oven is designed to withstand really high temperatures and maintain that temperature consistently during the bake.
Not all Dutch ovens are created equal. Over the years, many readers have asked me which one I recommend most, and after trying numerous options, I always come back to my favorite: these top five.
Here's why these five stand out: they feature a durable metal knob (unlike plastic, which can melt), a dark interior that won't discolor like white enamel, and are crafted from enameled cast iron for superior, even heat and longevity.
Table of Contents
my Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Staub Cast Iron 5.5 Quart Round Cocotte ($359.95 on Amazon)
- Best Budget: Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($44.90 on Amazon)
- Also Great: Lodge 6 Quart Oyster Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($79.99 at Target)
- Best Dutch Oven Alternative for Bread Baking: Le Creuset Bread Oven ($299.95 at Amazon)
- New Favorite: Great Jones Dutchess Oval Dutch Oven ($205 on Amazon)
Reviews of The Best Dutch Ovens for Bread
1. Best Overall: Staub Cast Iron 5.5 Quart Round Cocotte
This is my absolute favorite Dutch oven-and the one I used to create my Sourdough Bread recipe. I love the modern style, metal knob, dark interior, which makes it easy to keep clean! White interiors always blacken in high heat and are hard to keep white.
It has a tall metal knob that's easy to grab, and won’t melt in the oven. The chip-resistant enamel comes in many colors, and makes it durable for years to come. Another really cool feature of this Dutch oven is the self-blasting spikes that prevent moisture from seeping out. This keeps your dough at the perfect level to rise appropriately, resulting in a fluffy, delicious loaf.
It is oven-safe up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, and the lid can withstand up to 500 degrees, which is perfect for the high temperatures needed for baking bread.
The Specs:
- Safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe (hand wash encouraged)
- Unique matte black interior
- 12.9 pounds in weight
- 10.24 inches width
- 6.57 inches height
The Pros:
- Great modern design
- Metal knob
- Dark interior
- Durable
- Retains heat well
- Available in many colors
The Cons:
- More Expensive
Where to Buy the Staub 5.5 Quart Round Cocotte:
2. Best Budget: Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
If you're looking for something less expensive, the Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a great option. This lightweight Dutch oven is pre-seasoned, and the cast iron material means it'll last for years to come. Thanks to its dark interior, it's incredibly easy to clean, and it's also very lightweight.
The Specs:
- Seasoned with 100 percent pure vegetable oil
- 12.78 pounds in weight
- 10.43 inches width
- 7.14 inches height
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Sturdy handle
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Not enameled
Where to Buy the Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven:
3. Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
I also really like the Lodge 6 Quart Oyster Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It's a popular Dutch oven with a 4.8-star rating from over 38,000 Amazon reviews, and it's great for baking bread thanks to its high capacity and chip-resistant enamel.
The large handles and metal knob provide easy grip, and it retains heat extremely well. The cons are that it can be a bit heavy, and the light interior is harder to keep clean, but if you're looking for a mid-priced Dutch oven that you cook lots of dishes in, this a great option.
The Specs:
- Hand-wash only
- Safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- 13.72 pounds in weight
- 10.93 inches width
- 7.31 inches height
The Pros:
- Incredible heat retention
- Great size for most bread recipes
- Chip-resistant
- Metal knob provides easy grip
The Cons:
- Light interior is hard to clean
Where to Buy the Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven:
4. LE CREUSET BREAD OVEN
Although not technically a Dutch oven, the Le Creuset bread oven is one of the iconic cookware company's latest products, and is another excellent option for creating bakery-quality bread. It's specifically designed with a domed lid (like an upside-down Dutch oven) to trap and circulate steam, ensuring a crisp bread crust and a moist center.
The bread oven is made from enameled cast iron and has a low profile bottom that makes it easier to remove loaves, plus the unique base "indents" the bread with three signature rings for that extra visual touch.
Specs:
- Dishwasher safe (but hand washing is encouraged)
- Safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- 9.72 pounds in weight
- 9.5 inches width
- 7 inches height (with lid)
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Excellent heat distribution
- Sturdy carry handles
Cons:
- Not versatile: it's designed for bakery items (no stews or casseroles)
- Smaller capacity (1.75 quarts)
Where to Buy the Le Creuset Bread Oven:
5. Great Jones Dutchess Cast Iron Dutch Oven
This 6.75-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven features a beautiful oval shape-perfectly sized to fit a rustic sourdough loaf. It's a standout Dutch oven for bread baking and hearty one-pot meals. Beautiful, fun colors, with a matte finish and a durable brass knob.
Specs:
- Dishwasher safe (but hand drying is encouraged)
- Safe up to 500 degrees F
- 7.96 Kilograms in weight
- 9.75 inches in width
- 6.75 inches height (with lid)
Where to buy: $205 on Amazon
What to Know Before Buying a Dutch Oven for Bread Baking
To find the best Dutch oven for bread that caters to your own specific needs, consider the following:
- What is the size? I recommend baking bread with a Dutch oven that is between four and six quarts (Ideally 4.5 – 6 quarts). This will ensure you can bake perfect-sized loaves that expand without sticking to the sides of the oven. If you want to create different-shaped rolls or double the recipe for more people, it's worth investing in a larger option.
- Does it have a metal knob? I prefer using a Dutch oven that comes with metal top knobs (not rubber) that I can hold with ease and, most importantly, won’t melt.
- Does it have a dark interior? I hate scrubbing Dutch ovens! It is best to use a Dutch oven with a darker interior for bread baking. This will help prevent the pot from getting dark and discolored from the high heat.
- What is the best material? Pre-seasoned cast-iron Dutch ovens. Cast-iron Dutch ovens retain heat evenly and withstand high temperatures a lot better than their counterparts. They're also incredibly durable-aka, they'll last forever!
Other Great Bread-Baking Tools I Love
Aside from a Dutch oven, here are some of my favorite must-haves for bread baking:
- If You Care Parchment Paper – $5.49 on Amazon (this brand does not burn!)
- Casafina Stoneware Mixing Bowl – $73 on Amazon
- New Star Foodservice Stainless Steel Measuring Cups – $9.97 on Amazon
- Bowl and Pitcher Tea Towels – From $19 on Bowl and Pitcher
- Greater Goods Kitchen Scale – $9.88 on Amazon
- ThermoPro Instant Read Meat Thermometer – $10.99 on Amazon
Here are some optional extras that make bread baking more fun:
- Bob's Red Mill Organic White Rice Flour – $9.88 on Amazon (great for dusting)
- Zulay Kitchen Dough Whisk – $8.99 on Amazon
- 9 Inch Bread Banneton Proofing Basket – $15.80 on Amazon
- Lasenersm Dough Scrapers – $6.99 on Amazon
- Baker of Seville Bread Lame – $16.45 on Amazon
- Pecula Oven Thermometer – $6.99 on Amazon (to double check your oven is calibrated)
The Best Recipes for Dutch Oven Bread
My No-Knead Sourdough Bread recipe requires only 25 minutes of hands-on time, and is flexible and easy-but most importantly, it is foolproof!
You'll need Sourdough Starter to make the bread, which you can either buy in-store or make at home. My Sourdough Starter recipe uses simple ingredients with no special equipment and is ready in just six days.
I think you missed the best Dutch Oven for both price and quality. Please investigate Cuisinel 3/4-1/4
Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 2-In-1 Multi Cooker 3-Quart Dutch Oven & Skillet Lid Set. I bake over 4,000 loaves each year in the 16 I own and would not use trade for the most expensive. Price $49.00. Please let me know what you think/
Hi Janet- I think this looks like a really great option!
Would it be an issue if I tried baking sour dough bread in a dutch oven larger than 6 qts?
I think that should be fine!
How about a cloche bread baker? It’s made of the same material as a pizza stone.
Yes, they are great although you can’t bake in super hot heat.
Sylvia! I love your sourdough bread videos! I have a very healthy starter thanx to you and make great oval loaves in my Dutch oven. I’d like to make oblong loaves. Would you please advice as to how much dough to use and the size bread loaf baker I should get. Thank you 🤍
Hi Maria- I make oblong loves ( use our recipe for sourdough bread) in an extra large baker- 6 quart- fits nicely!
What color is your blue Staub in the first picture? I absolutely love this shade and would love to keep an eye out for one!!
Hey Rachel! It is actually grey, not blue!
My lodge Dutch oven inside surface is getting crackly looking and shedding black bits. I contacted lodge and they said baking the empty Dutch oven will cause damage to the Dutch oven. Is there something I can put in the Dutch oven while preheating to avoid that damage?
I have been baking your bread for a year or so and it turns out perfect every time! Thanks for your awesome recipe.
Thanks for your help.
Denise from Florida
I would just not preheat it- put the dough in cold and you’ll have to increase the baking time, maystart with 5 mintues more. Goal is to get your bread to 200 when you take off the lid.
I love your no knead sourdough bread recipe. I am considering purchasing the Creuset bread oven. I believe you do not preheat this dutch oven. Will this affect the bread baking if it’s not preheated, or, do I need to invest in another dutch oven?
You could just play with increasing the baking time by a few minutes?
How can I improvise if I don’t have a dutch oven?
Hi, MB – please read through the Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe- you can use a Pyrex bowl and a sheet pan, or bake in a loaf pan. 🙂
Quisenel was not mentioned and after baking 1500 loaves of sourdough in my home oven this year, I recommend them as the most economical at about $50 as well we functional.
I have not heard of this brand. Do you mean Cuisinel?
Yes. Two typos, I apologize. We own 8 of them. They are a 1/3 to 2/3s top to bottom and the frying pan type handles make them easy to use and seal in steam well. Cost below $50.
Ok I will have to try one! I have never seen these before!