Rustic Bread Recipe

Ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of Old World baking? The Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight is my absolute go-to for when I want that iconic, bakery-style loaf without any fuss. With its shatteringly crisp crust and satisfyingly tender crumb, this bread transforms a humble soup supper into a feast and elevates your sandwich game to a whole new level. Whether you’re dipping, slathering, or just tearing off a piece straight from the loaf, you’ll love how this recipe brings classic Italian comfort to your home table with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe shines with just a handful of essential ingredients, but each one plays a crucial role in creating the taste and texture we adore in Italian bread. You’ll be amazed at what these simple pantry staples can achieve when combined just right!

• All-purpose flour (3 ½ cups / 450g): The foundation of any great bread, creating a chewy, yet tender interior while giving structure to the loaf.
• Salt (2 tsp): Enhances flavor and helps control the fermentation process for well-developed taste, so don’t skimp!
• Instant yeast (1 ½ tsp): Provides reliable lift and airiness, so your bread rises beautifully every time.
• Warm water (1 ½ cups at 110°F): Activates the yeast and brings the dough together; using the right temperature is key for a perfect rise.

How to Make Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine your flour, instant yeast, and salt. Slowly stir in the warm water, mixing with a sturdy wooden spoon. The dough will look shaggy and feel a little sticky — don’t worry, that’s exactly what you want! This minimal mixing creates that signature chewy crumb Italian bread is famous for.

Step 2: First Rise

Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and set it somewhere warm (like inside your oven with the light on). Let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it’s doubled in size and bubbling with life. This is where the magic happens and your future loaf becomes wonderfully airy.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Dust a clean work surface with flour and gently turn out your risen dough. Handle it softly to retain all those precious air pockets. Shape it into a loose round loaf — no intense kneading needed! Transfer your dough onto a sheet of parchment paper for easy moving and a neat bottom crust.

Step 4: Second Rise

Drape a clean towel over your shaped loaf and let it rise one more time, about 30 minutes. While it’s puffing up, slide your Dutch oven into the oven and preheat to 450°F. Heating the Dutch oven is crucial for an epic crust — it steams the dough and bakes it evenly.

Step 5: Bake the Bread

When you’re ready to bake, carefully transfer your loaf (with the parchment paper underneath) directly into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes — this traps in steam for that blistering, artisan-style crust. Remove the lid, then bake another 10 to 15 minutes until your bread is golden-amber and crackling.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Once baked, lift the bread out and move it to a wire rack. Let it cool at least 20 minutes to finish setting — I know, the anticipation is tough! Once cooled, slice into your Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight and marvel at the rustic crumb and irresistible smell.

How to Serve Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight

Garnishes

Dress up your slices with a drizzle of grassy extra-virgin olive oil, a pat of creamy salted butter, or a sprinkle of sea salt and cracked pepper. Fresh herbs like chopped rosemary or basil can add a fragrant punch, and just a hint of freshly grated Parmesan takes things fully over the top.

Side Dishes

This bread is the ultimate sidekick to classic Italian fare: pair it with a steamy bowl of minestrone, a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or dunk generously into rustic tomato soup. For brunch or appetizers, serve it warm alongside charcuterie, olives, and tangy cheeses.

Creative Ways to Present

Surprise friends by hollowing out a loaf to make an edible soup bowl, slice and toast for garlicky crostini, or cube it for homemade croutons. Try using it as the base for bruschetta, or swirl pesto or sundried tomato tapenade on top before serving — your Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight easily adapts to every occasion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover bread fresh by wrapping it tightly in foil or a clean kitchen towel. Store it at room temperature and it’ll stay delicious and tender for up to two days — though it rarely lasts that long in my house!

Freezing

To freeze, let your loaf cool completely, then wrap snugly in plastic wrap and pop into a freezer bag. It will keep its fabulous texture and taste for up to two months. Slice before freezing so you can pull out just what you need!

Reheating

To revive that just-baked crust, spritz the loaf lightly with water and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Individual slices can be toasted straight from the freezer — perfect for quick snacks or soup accompaniments.

FAQs

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Absolutely! Bread flour gives an even chewier texture due to its higher protein content. The Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight will be a bit more rustic and satisfyingly sturdy.

How do I get that extra crispy crust?

Preheating your Dutch oven (or a heavy baking stone) and baking with the lid on traps steam, giving you an incredibly crisp crust. You can also toss a few ice cubes into a hot pan on your oven floor for an extra burst of steam.

Is it possible to let the dough rise overnight?

Yes! For a deeper flavor, cover the dough and place it in the fridge to ferment overnight. Take it out the next day, let it come to room temperature, shape, second rise, and bake as directed.

Why is my dough so sticky?

A sticky dough actually creates a more open, airy crumb. If it’s too troublesome to handle, dust your hands and work surface with a little flour, but avoid adding too much or you’ll lose that classic Italian texture.

Can I make this bread without a Dutch oven?

Definitely! Use a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet. To create steam, place a pan of water on the lower oven rack during baking. Your Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight will still come out deliciously crusty.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to bring the taste of an authentic Italian bakery into your home, this Crusty Italian Bread Recipe – Easy Homemade Delight is a must-try. With just a little patience and a handful of ingredients, anyone can bake a loaf that’s golden on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and perfect for every occasion. Go ahead, give it a go — your kitchen (and anyone lucky enough to snag a slice) will thank you!

Print