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Two golden-brown loaves of crusty Italian bread with fresh basil leaves, resting on a wooden board.

Crusty Italian Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Delight

A simple recipe for homemade Italian bread with a crispy crust and soft interior, perfect for any meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 slices
Calories 2500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp instant yeast
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add warm water, mixing with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
  • First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
  • Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf, being careful not to overwork the dough. Place it on parchment paper.
  • Second Rise and Preheat Oven: Cover the loaf with a towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450°F with a Dutch oven inside.
  • Bake and Cool: Place the dough in the preheated Dutch oven, cover, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for 10-15 more minutes until golden. Let cool before slicing.

Notes

For a crisper crust, bake using a preheated Dutch oven or a ceramic pot with a lid.
Keyword bread