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Easy Crusty Homemade Italian Bread: Bakery-Style Loaf

Close-up of a freshly baked italian bread slice showing an open, airy crumb and golden, dusted crust.
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You can bake bakery-style Italian bread at home with this simple recipe. It delivers a golden, crunchy crust and a soft, chewy interior using basic pantry ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners.

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 1/2 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 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. Add the flour and salt 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 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Noah says the gluten structure needs this time to develop for a good chew.
  4. Lightly oil a clean large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it over to coat the surface with oil. 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 is the first rise.
  6. Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Shape the dough into a tight loaf or two smaller loaves.
  7. Place the shaped loaf(ves) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a prepared loaf pan. Cover loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy. This is the second rise.
  8. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If you like a very crusty exterior, 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 and quickly close the oven door.
  10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  11. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy the aroma of fresh baked bread!

Notes

  • For an extra crunchy crust, mist the oven walls with water a few times during the first 10 minutes of baking.
  • If you want a softer crust for sandwiches, skip the steam pan and brush the loaf with a little milk before baking.
  • This bread is excellent for dipping into olive oil or serving alongside pasta dishes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/easy-italian-bread-recipe-crusty-loaf/