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Easy Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Bakery Style Loaf at Home

Cross-section view showing the airy, open crumb structure of a freshly baked Italian bread loaf.
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Bake bakery-quality Italian bread with a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior. This simple recipe is perfect for beginners and ready in a few hours, making it ideal for serving with pasta or making sandwiches.

Ingredients

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  • 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 1/4 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 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. Stir in the olive oil.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  6. Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a rustic loaf or place it in a lightly greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  7. Cover the shaped loaf loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it looks puffy.
  8. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam later.
  9. Before baking, brush the top of the loaf lightly with water. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife if desired.
  10. Place the loaf on the center rack. Pour about 1 cup of hot water into the shallow pan on the bottom rack to create steam, then quickly close the oven door.
  11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  12. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • For an extra crispy crust, spray the sides of the oven with water twice during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • If you want a softer crust for sandwiches, skip the steam pan and brush the loaf with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
  • This bread is excellent served warm with olive oil for dipping.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbymia.com/easy-crusty-italian-bread-recipe-bakery-style/