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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread: Bakery Style at Home

A beautifully baked, round loaf of crusty Italian bread with a golden-brown crust cooling on a wire rack.
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Learn to make bakery-style Italian bread with a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior. This beginner-friendly recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and delivers comforting results fast.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let this stand for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows your yeast is active.
  2. Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You want a soft, chewy texture.
  6. Lightly oil a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  7. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is your first rise.
  8. Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Shape the dough into a long, rustic loaf shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  9. Cover the shaped loaf loosely and let it rest for a second rise for 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise. For an extra crispy crust, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack while preheating to create steam.
  10. Just before baking, use a sharp knife to score the top of the loaf with a few shallow diagonal cuts. If using the steam method, carefully pour about 1 cup of hot water into the preheated shallow pan and quickly close the oven door.
  11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  12. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy this homemade Italian bread warm.

Notes

  • For the best crispy crust, create steam in the oven during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • If you prefer a softer crust, skip the steam pan and brush the top of the loaf lightly with melted butter immediately after it comes out of the oven.
  • This bread is perfect for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside pasta dishes.

Nutrition

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