Crusty Italian Bread: Bake the Perfect Loaf Today!

Crusty Italian bread is a classic favorite known for its golden, crunchy crust and soft, chewy interior. This simple recipe guides you through making the perfect loaf right in your own kitchen, ideal for sandwiches, dipping, or enjoying plain with butter.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
• Cornmeal for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Step 2: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Step 3: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: Punch down the dough and shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place it on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.
6. Step 6: Cover the shaped loaf with a cloth and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack to create steam.
8. Step 8: Just before baking, make a few slashes on top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
9. Step 9: Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the dough before kneading.
• Try mixing in herbs like rosemary or thyme for a fragrant twist.
• If you don’t have cornmeal, use flour to dust the baking sheet to prevent sticking.
• To achieve a crisper crust, spray water inside the oven during the first 10 minutes of baking to maintain steam.

Storage

Store the bread in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature for up to two days to maintain the crust’s texture. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To refresh the crust after freezing, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, bread flour can be used and will give the bread a chewier texture due to its higher protein content.

Why is my bread not crusty?

Creating steam in the oven helps develop a crusty exterior. Make sure to place a pan of water on the bottom rack when baking and avoid opening the oven door too early.

Crusty Italian Bread: Bake the Perfect Loaf Today!

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4.4 from 121 reviews

This Crusty Italian Bread recipe guides you through baking a perfect loaf with a crunchy golden crust and soft, elastic interior. Ideal for sandwiches or accompanying your favorite Italian dishes, this homemade bread uses simple ingredients and traditional techniques to create an authentic bakery-style loaf at home.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 servings) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast

Wet Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)

Other

• Cornmeal for dusting

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Form Dough: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
5. Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Shape it into a round or oval loaf and place it on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
6. Second Rise: Cover the shaped loaf with a cloth and allow it to rise again for 30-45 minutes, allowing the dough to puff up.
7. Preheat Oven and Prepare Steam: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack to generate steam, which will help develop a crispy crust.
8. Score the Loaf: Just before baking, use a sharp knife to make several slashes on top of the loaf. This allows the bread to expand properly while baking.
9. Bake: Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, signaling that it is fully cooked.
10. Cool: Remove the loaf from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, which ensures the crumb sets properly.

Notes

• Use warm water around 110°F to activate yeast without killing it.
• Allowing the dough to rise in a warm environment helps yeast fermentation.
• Adding a pan of water to the oven creates steam, which is essential for achieving a crusty exterior.
• Resting the bread after baking prevents it from becoming gummy inside.
• For extra flavor, you can brush the loaf with olive oil or butter after baking once cooled.

Keywords: crusty Italian bread, homemade bread recipe, easy bread dough, yeast bread, crusty loaf, Italian baking