Why You’ll Love Making This Recipe
Making crusty Italian bread at home is rewarding and surprisingly simple. With minimal ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll achieve a rustic, flavorful bread with a crispy crust and soft, airy interior. It’s versatile, easy to customize, and a great choice for beginner bakers. Plus, the smell of freshly baked bread will make your house feel inviting and warm!
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Simple Ingredients: You only need flour, yeast, salt, and water.
- Versatile Uses: Perfect for pairing with soups, pastas, or even just butter and olive oil.
- Beginner-Friendly: Detailed instructions make it accessible for new bakers.
- Customizable: Add herbs, cheese, or seeds to personalize it.
- Irresistible Texture: Enjoy a crispy golden crust with a soft, chewy inside.
This crusty Italian bread is perfect for any occasion—from casual dinners to special celebrations. With just a little effort, you can bake a loaf that’s just as good, if not better, than what you’d find at your local bakery.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups (450g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp instant yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
Equipment Used:
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Dutch oven or baking stone
- Parchment paper
- Kitchen scale (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add the warm water, mixing with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf, being careful not to overwork the dough. Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F, placing a Dutch oven inside to heat.
- Bake the Bread: Carefully place the dough (with parchment) into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover the pot and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 40 minutes
- Rising Time: 2 ½ hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Variations
- Herb-Infused Bread: Add 1 tsp of dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the dough for an aromatic twist.
- Cheesy Crust: Sprinkle shredded Parmesan or mozzarella on top of the bread before baking to add a savory, cheesy flavor.
- Whole Wheat Option: Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf.
- Seeded Bread: Add poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds to the dough for a crunchy texture and extra flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the bread in an airtight bag or container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread and thaw at room temperature when needed.
- Reheating: Reheat slices in the oven or toaster for a crisp, warm texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make this bread without a Dutch oven?
Yes! You can use a baking stone or a sheet pan instead of a Dutch oven. Just place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam for a crispier crust.
2. How do I store leftover bread?
Store leftover bread in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze it for longer storage.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe to make two loaves, just ensure you have enough space for both to rise properly.
4. What if I don’t have instant yeast?
You can substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast, but you’ll need to activate it in warm water before adding it to the dough.
5. How do I get the best crust on my bread?
Preheat the Dutch oven before placing the dough in it, and bake with the lid on for the first 30 minutes to trap steam, which helps create a golden, crispy crust.
6. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after the first rise for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the second rise.
7. Can I add herbs or garlic to the dough?
Absolutely! You can customize the dough with any herbs, garlic, or spices to suit your taste.
8. Why did my bread turn out too dense?
If your bread is too dense, it may not have risen long enough, or the dough may have been overworked. Be sure to allow for the proper rise times.
9. Can I freeze this bread?
Yes, this bread freezes well. Slice it first if you’d like to freeze individual portions, and then wrap the slices in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.
10. How can I make the bread more flavorful?
To enhance the flavor, try adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the dough or brushing the top with olive oil after baking.
Conclusion
This Crusty Italian Bread is a simple, beginner-friendly recipe that yields a loaf with the perfect combination of a crispy crust and soft, airy interior. It’s versatile, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re pairing it with a hearty soup, enjoying it with olive oil, or making sandwiches, this bread is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Happy baking!
Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Delight
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crusty Italian Bread is a simple, beginner-friendly recipe that yields a loaf with a crispy, golden crust and a soft, airy interior. Perfect for any occasion, from dipping in olive oil to pairing with pasta.
Ingredients
3 ½ cups (450g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
1 ½ tsp instant yeast
1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add the warm water, mixing with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf, being careful not to overwork the dough. Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper.
- Cover the loaf with a towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F, placing a Dutch oven inside to heat.
- Carefully place the dough (with parchment) into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover the pot and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Store leftover bread in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
For a crunchier texture, bake with a pan of water in the oven to create steam.
For added flavor, try adding olive oil to the dough or brushing the top with olive oil after baking.
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can use a baking stone or sheet pan with a pan of water for steam.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
