Description
Nothing beats the aroma of warm Crusty Italian Bread fresh from the oven. This easy bread recipe delivers a golden crispy crust with a soft and airy center that tastes just like bakery bread. Perfect for pasta night, soup season, sandwich ideas, or serving alongside olive oil and herbs, this homemade bread recipe is simple, rustic, and incredibly satisfying for any meal. This classic Italian bread is made with simple pantry staples and creates beautiful artisan-style results at home. Whether you need an easy dinner side, homemade bread for gatherings, or comforting food ideas for the week, this crusty loaf delivers flavor, texture, and warmth in every slice.
Ingredients
4 cups bread flour
1 ½ cups warm water
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add bread flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1½ hours or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough gently and shape into a round or oval loaf.
6. Sprinkle cornmeal onto a baking sheet and place the loaf on top.
7. Cover loosely and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
8. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife and sprinkle coarse sea salt over the top.
9. Bake at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
10. Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
Allow the dough enough time to rise fully for the best airy texture.
Adding steam to the oven with a small pan of hot water helps create a crispier crust.
Let the bread cool before slicing to keep the inside soft and fluffy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: crusty italian bread, homemade bread, artisan bread, easy bread recipe, rustic bread, italian loaf, bread ideas, dinner side, homemade italian bread