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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread: Bakery Style Loaf

A split image showing a golden-brown, scored Italian bread loaf and a close-up of its airy, open crumb structure.
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You can bake a bakery-style Italian loaf at home with this easy recipe. It results in a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior. This recipe is perfect for beginners and uses simple pantry ingredients.

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 your yeast is active—give yourself a kudos for starting strong!
  2. Add the flour, salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You are building great texture here!
  4. Lightly oil a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. 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 first rise is where the magic happens.
  6. Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Shape the dough into a tight loaf or oval shape.
  7. Place the shaped loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a lightly oiled loaf pan. Cover it loosely again.
  8. Let the dough have a second, shorter rise for about 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) during the last 15 minutes of this rise. For an extra crispy crust, place a shallow pan on the bottom rack while preheating to create steam later.
  9. Just before baking, lightly brush the top of the loaf with water. If using the steam method, carefully pour 1 cup of hot water into the preheated shallow pan on the bottom rack and quickly close the oven door.
  10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy the aroma filling your kitchen!

Notes

  • For a truly bakery-style crust, place a pizza stone or baking steel in the oven while preheating.
  • If you want a softer crust, skip the steam pan and brush the loaf with melted butter immediately after it comes out of the oven.
  • This bread is fantastic for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside pasta dishes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchnkudos.com/easy-crusty-homemade-italian-bread-recipe/