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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread Recipe

Close-up of a freshly baked italian bread loaf cut in half, showing an airy, open crumb and golden crust.
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Make a bakery-quality Italian loaf at home. This straightforward yeast recipe delivers a golden, crisp crust and a soft, airy interior, perfect for dipping in olive oil or serving with dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the bowl

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
  2. Add the warm water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains.
  3. Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
  4. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is your first rise.
  5. Gently punch down the risen dough. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a tight loaf or two smaller oblong loaves.
  6. Place the shaped loaf(ves) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a prepared loaf pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  7. Let the dough rest for a second rise for 30 to 45 minutes. While it rests, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack of your oven and preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  8. Just before baking, score the top of the loaf once or twice with a sharp knife. Carefully pour about 1 cup of hot water into the shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam.
  9. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  10. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • For an extra crisp crust, you can bake the bread directly on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel instead of a baking sheet.
  • If you prefer an Italian Herb Bread variation, mix 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning and 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese into the dough during the last minute of mixing.
  • This bread pairs well with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/easy-crusty-italian-bread-recipe/