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
