Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

Introduction

Crusty Italian bread is a classic homemade loaf with a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or accompanying any meal, this bread is straightforward to make and rewarding to bake.

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 the mixture 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 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 a richer flavor, try substituting half of the all-purpose flour with bread flour.
• Add dried herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for an herby twist.
• Use a spray of water in the oven or place a pan of water at the bottom to create steam and enhance crust crispiness.

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 it in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in a toaster or in the oven wrapped in foil to restore freshness.

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 use instant yeast. If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients and reduce the initial water or skip the proofing step. Adjust as needed for dough consistency.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

The bread is done when it has a deep golden brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Using a thermometer, the internal temperature should be around 200°F for fully baked bread.

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

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This Crusty Italian Bread recipe yields a golden-brown loaf with a crisp crust and a soft, chewy interior. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or serving alongside soups and salads, this traditional bread is made with simple ingredients and baked to perfection using a hot oven and a baking stone or sheet for an authentic crusty texture.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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Main 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. Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir together until a rough dough forms that can be handled for kneading.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten for structure.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
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 thoroughly, which will help create a crisp bottom crust.
6. Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then shape it into a round loaf. Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper for easy transfer.
7. Second Rise: Cover the loaf again with the kitchen towel and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes, letting it relax and puff up slightly.
8. Score and Bake: Use a sharp knife to make a few shallow slashes on top of the loaf to allow it to expand during baking. Carefully transfer the loaf with the parchment paper onto the preheated baking stone or inverted sheet.
9. Bake the Bread: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, indicating it is fully baked.
10. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents sogginess and finishes the crust development before slicing.

Notes

• Ensure the water temperature is around 110°F to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
• Using a baking stone or inverted baking sheet helps mimic a professional bread oven by providing even heat.
• Letting the bread cool completely before slicing improves texture and crumb consistency.
• Make shallow slashes on the dough to prevent uncontrolled splitting during baking.
• Store leftover bread in a paper bag to maintain crust crispness.

Keywords: Crusty Italian Bread, homemade bread, yeast bread, rustic bread, baking bread, Italian loaf