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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread: Bakery-Style Loaf

Close-up of a freshly baked Italian bread cut in half showing an open, airy crumb structure and a golden, crispy crust.
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Bake a bakery-style Italian loaf at home with this easy recipe. You get a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior using basic pantry ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners.

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)
  • 1 tablespoon 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 the mixture becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix everything with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You want it soft but not sticky.
  4. Lightly oil a clean large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it over to coat the surface with oil. Cover the bowl 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 your first rise.
  6. Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Shape the dough into a tight loaf or two smaller loaves.
  7. Place the shaped loaf(ves) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a prepared loaf pan. Cover loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. This is your second rise.
  8. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) about 20 minutes before the second rise finishes. For extra crust, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack while preheating to create steam.
  9. Just before baking, lightly brush the top of the loaf with water or an egg wash for color. You can score the top with a sharp knife if you wish.
  10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. If you used a steam pan, carefully pour 1/2 cup of hot water into the pan and quickly close the oven door to create steam for a crispier crust.
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade Italian bread!

Notes

  • For a crispier crust, place a baking stone or heavy baking sheet in the oven while preheating. Slide the dough onto the hot surface for baking.
  • If you want a softer crust, brush the loaf with melted butter immediately after it comes out of the oven.
  • This bread is excellent for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside pasta dishes.

Nutrition

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