Crusty Italian Bread
Crusty Italian Bread is a delightful homemade treat that transforms your kitchen into a cozy Italian bakery. With its golden, crispy crust and soft, airy interior, each slice offers a perfect blend of crunch and pillowy goodness. This versatile bread pairs beautifully with soups, stews, or simply enjoyed fresh with olive oil. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, this recipe is sure to impress family and friends alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (480g)
- 1 ½ cups warm water (360ml)
- 2 tsp active dry yeast (7g)
- 2 tsp salt (10g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30ml)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture; stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Punch down the dough, shape it into a round loaf, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (60g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For added flavor, mix in herbs like rosemary or garlic powder. Store bread in a paper bag at room temperature to maintain its crustiness.