Description
Learn how to make delicious Italian Bread at home with this easy recipe. This crusty bread has a soft interior and is perfect for sandwiches or to accompany your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Additional:
- Optional: cornmeal for dusting
- 1 egg white mixed with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit until foamy, about 5–10 minutes.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until dough forms.
- Knead: On a floured surface, knead dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
- Rise: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Shape and Rise Again: Shape into loaves, place on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 30–45 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush with egg wash, slash the top, and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool: Cool on a rack before slicing.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, add a pan of water in the oven while baking.
- This bread freezes well—wrap tightly once cooled.
- You can substitute half the flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
