Crusty Italian Bread Recipe
A simple and authentic Crusty Italian Bread recipe that yields a golden, crispy crust with a soft, airy interior. This traditional bread is perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or enjoying alongside your favorite Italian dishes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 medium loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons or 7g) active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Mix and knead dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add the warm water, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape and second rise: Gently punch down the risen dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place the loaf on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, cover it loosely, and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed up.
- Bake until crusty: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Just before baking, score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to allow expansion. Place the bread in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and crisp. To enhance the crust, you can add steam by placing a pan of hot water in the oven or misting the dough with water before baking.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Warm water is crucial to activate the yeast but should not be too hot to kill it.
- Allowing the dough to rise fully will ensure a light and airy crumb.
- Scoring the dough before baking helps control the expansion of the bread.
- Adding steam to the oven helps create a crispier crust.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to keep the texture intact.
Keywords: Italian bread, crusty bread, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, traditional bread, baking bread
Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/crusty-italian-bread-recipe/
