Description
Crusty Italian Bread with golden crust and soft interior. Easy homemade recipe perfect for soups, sandwiches, and dipping in olive oil.
Ingredients
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
-
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
-
Activate Yeast: In a separate bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
-
Make Dough: Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients, add olive oil, and mix until a dough forms.
-
Knead: Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
-
First Rise: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
-
Shape: Punch down dough, shape into a loaf, and place on a baking sheet.
-
Bake: Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake for 25–30 minutes until crust is golden and bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Notes
For an extra crispy crust, place a pan of hot water in the oven during baking.
Bread flour can be used for a chewier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: crusty italian bread, italian bread recipe, homemade bread, rustic bread, easy bread recipe, artisan bread, bread with olive oil, baking bread at home