Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

Introduction

Crusty Italian bread is a delightful staple with a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or serving alongside soups, this homemade bread is surprisingly easy to make and incredibly rewarding.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Step 2: Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Step 3: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet in the oven to heat.
6. Step 6: Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on a piece of parchment paper.
7. Step 7: Cover the loaf with the kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Step 8: Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes on the top of the loaf. Carefully transfer the loaf (with the parchment paper) onto the hot baking stone or sheet.
9. Step 9: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a tablespoon of dried herbs like rosemary or oregano to the dough.
• Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for a chewier texture.
• To create a shinier crust, brush the loaf with olive oil before baking.
• Adding a steam source to your oven, like a pan of water, can help develop a crispier crust.

Storage

Store the bread in a paper bag or wrapped loosely in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, slice and freeze the bread in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in a toaster or oven to refresh the crust before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. Since instant yeast doesn’t need to be dissolved first, mix it directly with the flour and reduce the water slightly if necessary.

Why did my bread turn out dense?

Dense bread usually results from insufficient kneading, not letting the dough rise enough, or using water that’s too hot and killing the yeast. Make sure to knead until elastic, allow the dough to double in size, and use warm (not hot) water around 110°F.

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 122 reviews

This Crusty Italian Bread recipe yields a classic, golden-brown loaf with a crisp crust and a soft, chewy interior. Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, yeast, olive oil, and a touch of sugar, this bread is perfect for sandwiches, soups, or as an accompaniment to any meal. The dough is easy to prepare, requiring minimal kneading and rising time, and baking on a hot stone ensures an authentic crusty finish.

• Author: Toney
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 large loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast

Wet Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms that begins to come together.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten necessary for a good crust and structure.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size, ensuring a light and airy texture.
5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet inside the oven to heat, which will help create a crisp crust.
6. Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release the gas. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a piece of parchment paper.
7. Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes to achieve a final volume before baking.
8. Score and Transfer: Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes on the top of the loaf. Carefully transfer the loaf with the parchment paper onto the hot baking stone or inverted baking sheet to bake evenly.
9. Bake: Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, indicating it is fully baked inside.
10. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing to set the crumb and prevent sogginess.

Notes

• Ensure the water is at the correct temperature (about 110°F) to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Using a baking stone or preheated inverted baking sheet helps to create a crispy crust by providing even heat from the bottom.
• Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to retain the texture and prevent being gummy inside.
• For enhanced flavor, you can let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight after the first rise.
• If you don’t have a baking stone, a cast-iron skillet can work as an alternative.

Keywords: Crusty Italian Bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, baking bread, Italian bread loaf