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Easy Crusty Italian Bread Recipe for Homemade Baking

A freshly baked, round loaf of Italian bread with a golden, crusty exterior, sliced open to show the airy interior.
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Bake a perfect loaf of homemade Italian bread with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, airy interior. This simple recipe is ideal for beginners and pairs well with any Italian meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 cups Warm Water (about 105-115°F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (one standard packet)
  • 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, plus more for the bowl

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture and the olive oil into the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
  4. Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the oiled bowl and turn it over once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  5. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is the first proof.
  6. Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a long, oval loaf or two smaller round loaves.
  7. Place the shaped loaf(ves) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a pizza stone. Cover loosely and let it rest for a second rise for about 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) about 20 minutes before the second rise finishes. Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam later.
  9. Just before baking, lightly brush the top of the loaf with water. Using a sharp knife, make 3 to 4 shallow diagonal slashes across the top of the bread.
  10. Carefully pour about 1 cup of hot water into the preheated shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam. Immediately place the bread in the oven.
  11. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210°F.
  12. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy this homemade crusty bread!

Notes

  • For an extra crispy crust, you can bake the bread in a preheated Dutch oven with the lid on for the first 20 minutes, then remove the lid for the remaining time.
  • If you want Italian Herb and Cheese Bread, mix 1 tablespoon of dried Italian herbs and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese into the dough just before the first rise ends.
  • This bread is best eaten the day it is baked, perfect for dipping in olive oil.

Nutrition

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