Description
This Crusty Italian Bread is a rustic, golden-crusted loaf with a chewy interior and artisan-style flavor. Made with just a handful of ingredients and baked in a Dutch oven, it’s the perfect beginner-friendly recipe that delivers bakery-quality results at home.
Ingredients
3 ½ cups bread flour
1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ½ cups warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or fennel seeds (optional for topping)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix together the bread flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring to form a shaggy dough. Add olive oil if using.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.
4. Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a round loaf.
5. Place the dough on parchment paper, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for another 1 to 2 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside for at least 30 minutes.
7. Carefully transfer the dough (with parchment paper) into the hot Dutch oven.
8. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
9. Remove the lid and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
10. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use bread flour for best results—its higher protein content creates a stronger structure and better chew.
Always preheat the Dutch oven for at least 30 minutes to ensure that signature crunchy crust.
Don’t skip the cooling period—cutting too early makes the interior gummy and deflates the texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Crusty Italian Bread, Homemade Bread, Artisan Bread