Homemade Italian Bread is easier than you think! You'll be so proud when this delicious, crusty loaf comes out of your oven. Don't miss the video and step-by-step photos and check out all of my Italian Bread Recipes!
My goal today is to convince you to try this Homemade Italian Bread. It's so easy, crusty and delicious. I don't want you to miss out!
There's nothing like the sense of accomplishment that comes from baking your own bread, whether it be a loaf of Italian bread or Parmesan Focaccia with Rosemary.
"Did I do that?!!," you'll wonder, in your best Steve Urkel voice. Or maybe that's just me.
But, seriously. Why is it that as kids, we went to town with Play Doh and Silly Putty (now I'm aging myself), yet as adults, we shy away from making dough and shaping it into a simple loaf?
Yes, there's kneading involved. But if you have a stand mixer with dough hooks, all you need to do is throw in your ingredients and let the machine run for six minutes. By hand, you'll probably need a couple of minutes longer, but it's so therapeutic.
My son has been making this easy Italian bread for years, and kneads the dough by hand like a boss. I just use my KitchenAid (affiliate link).
And you can always make Bread Machine Italian Bread if you have that equipment.
Recipe ingredients
Yeast: Use instant or active yeast. If using instant yeast, you can just add it with all the other dough ingredients.
If using active yeast, you'll have to proof it first to activate it. Those instructions are included in the recipe card.
Flour: Use all-purpose flour or bread flour. I always use all-purpose, unbleached flour, since that's what I keep in the house.
Can you use whole wheat flour?
After being asked this question more than once, I recently tested this recipe with a 50-50 combination of all-purpose flour and white whole wheat flour. The dough had to be kneaded for at least 10 minutes in the stand mixer.
The half-whole-wheat version came out more dense than the loaves made with 100% all-purpose flour. The flavor was a little stronger, but it was a decent loaf, if you like whole wheat.
But I wouldn't recommend using only whole wheat flour for this bread. The flavor would be too strong, and the recipe would need to be adjusted in a few ways, such as adding more sugar and salt, and possibly adding vital wheat gluten.
So, although I use all whole wheat flour in recipes such as blueberry muffins, I recommend making white Italian bread with all-purpose flour. If you really want to incorporate whole wheat, you can use a 50-50 combination of flours.
How to know whether to add more flour
The only part of this recipe that requires thought is figuring out whether to add more flour. The humidity of your kitchen will be a factor.
Here's a ridiculously simple tip: If, after a couple of minutes of kneading, you touch the dough and realize it's stuck to your fingertips, you need to add more flour.
Start with an extra ¼ cup, knead it some more and see if the dough comes together. In a stand mixer, the dough should pull away from the insides of the bowl and form a ball in the center.
If you still see residue at the bottom of your bowl, add a little more flour and knead some more. Try touching the dough again.
Still sticky? Add another ¼ cup of flour.
It's not rocket science, I promise. You almost can't go wrong.
How to make Italian bread
See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe, but here's an overview.
- Mix the ingredients in bowl and knead in a stand mixer or on the counter. Add extra flour if the dough is sticky.
- The dough should come together in smooth ball. Place it in a greased bowl, covered, to rise for two hours. (You can leave your house!)
- After the first rise, the dough should have doubled in size.
- Gently punch it down. Let the dough rise again for 40 minutes, covered. (One time, I left to do errands and came back more than an hour later - no big deal.)
- After the second rise, the dough is ready.
- Shape it into a loaf (it takes about five seconds!) and place it on a lined or greased half-sheet pan (you don't need a special loaf pan!) Cut a vertical slit (or horizontal ones) in the loaf to allow it to vent and open as it bakes.
- Bake it on the center rack of your oven, with a metal pan of hot water below it.
Recipe tips
- Baking the shaped Italian bread dough with a pan of hot water below it will create steam. The steam produces a crispy crust.
- To test whether your bread is done: Wearing oven mitts, turn over the loaf of bread when it's out of the oven. With ungloved fingertips, tap the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow, it's done.
How to serve it
When the bread cools...you'd better have some dipping oil ready.
It's perfect for entertaining, so I included it in this collection of 63 Italian Appetizers. Use it to make Italian Bread Pizza.
And, you have to try this crusty Italian bread with some of our favorite Italian side dishes!
Of course, you can make slab sandwiches or enjoy Homemade Turkey Lunch Meat on sliced Italian bread. You haven't lived until you've had a "sangwich" with Pan-Fried Eggplant, Italian Chicken Cutlets, or Italian Peppers in Oil!
For breakfast, slice it into thick pieces and make Italian Bread French Toast.
And if you have some leftover bread that's drying you can make bread crumbs. You won't believe how delicious they taste!
Frequently asked questions
Store the Homemade Italian Bread at room temperature, wrapped in plastic and then placed in a brown bag. It's best eaten by the next day or so for freshness.
Yes! The best way to keep Italian bread fresh is to freeze it. Slice it into portions first, then place it in a sealed, zip-top bag in the freezer.
Just do it!
Friends, making this Homemade Italian Bread is easier than lots of things in life.
- It's easier than changing a tire.
- Easier than driving a stick shift.
- Easier than filling out back-to-school paperwork.
- Easier than mowing the lawn.
And many readers tell me this is the best Italian bread recipe they've tried.
So go for it!
More bread recipes
Be sure to try this Artisan Italian Bread, Homemade Pizza Dough with Beer and these Quick Hamburger Buns (ready in 40 minutes). And during the holidays, you can make panettone (Italian Christmas bread).
But, if you insist you're not ready for yeast breads and kneading dough, you can crank out this 5-Ingredient Beer Bread in under an hour. And don't forget quick breads like zucchini bread or banana bread!
Enjoy!
If you try this Homemade Italian Bread, be sure to leave a comment and rating!
Homemade Italian Bread
Video
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (use up to four cups if needed; see notes)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (see notes if using active dry yeast)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
For Serving:
- olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add three cups of flour and the remaining dough ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer, if you have one. Otherwise, use a large mixing bowl.
- If using a stand mixer with dough hooks, start the machine on "stir," then switch to a low speed to knead the dough for six minutes.
- If kneading by hand, stir with a spoon, then knead the dough on a clean, floured work surface for at least six minutes.
- After a couple minutes of kneading in your mixer or by hand, check to see if the dough is sticky. Touch it with your fingertips and pull them away.
- If there is dough residue on your fingertips, you need to add more flour. Add ¼ cup extra flour and knead some more.
- Check again to see if the dough is still sticky. If so, add more flour, ¼ cup at a time, until your dough comes together in a smooth ball and isn't sticky. It should pull away from the inside of the bowl of your stand mixer.
- When you are done kneading, grease your mixing bowl with cooking spray (you can use the same bowl without cleaning it first.) Place your ball of dough in the greased bowl and roll it around to coat it a bit with the oil.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for two hours at room temperature.
- After two hours, peel back the plastic and gently punch down the dough. Cover the bowl again with the plastic wrap and let the dough rise for another 40 minutes.
- When your dough is almost done rising, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Make a steam bath so your crust will be crispier. Fill a 9x13 metal pan or cast iron pan halfway with hot water. (Avoid using a glass pan, if possible, because it could shatter.) Wearing oven mitts, place the pan with the hot water on the bottom rack of your oven.
- When the dough is risen, place it onto a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. (If you have neither, you can lightly grease your pan with cooking spray.)
- Shape your dough into a loaf about 10 inches long and four inches wide. Use a straight-edged knife to score the dough (make a long vertical slit or horizontal slits along the surface of the dough) to allow venting. Place the pan with your dough on the middle rack of your oven.
- Bake initially for 10 minutes at 425 F.
- Lower your oven temperature to 400 degrees F, and bake your bread for 30-35 minutes more. Check if your bread is done by removing the pan from the oven. Wearing gloves, flip over the loaf. Take off one glove and tap the underside of the bread with your fingertips. If the bread sounds hollow, it is done. If not, bake it a little more.
- When the bread is done, let it cool on a wire rack until it's no longer hot. Slice the bread and serve with oil, salt and pepper for dipping, if you wish.
- Store the bread at room temperature, wrapped in plastic and then placed in a brown bag. It is best eaten by the next day or so for freshness. If you wish, you can slice the loaf and freeze it in a freezer bag.
Notes
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Adapted from my son's recipe, which he'd adapted after seeing it online years ago. Originally published on August 26, 2017 and updated now with process photos and additional text.)
Dawn G says
This is a wonderful and easy recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. It produced a nice crisp crust with a decadent soft interior that was absolutely perfect! I did give it a very light coat of butter when it came out of the oven by just running a light pat of butter over the upper crust which softens it ever so slightly for my husband who has trouble tearing into a hard crust. The butter adds a nice little flavor and aroma to the bite. I also put cornmeal on the tray before baking for the bottom crust because it is just a thing for me with Italian bread. Now that I have found this recipe, I think we will be skipping the store bought from here on out. It keeps nicely too the next day if kept in a ziplock after it has cooled. Thank you again for this outstanding recipe!
Mamma C says
Hi Dawn - I'm so happy you enjoyed this Italian bread! I appreciate all your feedback. The butter sounds wonderful.
Gail says
Great recipe. Taste was amazing too. I did leave the temp. at the 425 for the whole time. Just checked it was ready because it is light when lifted. When i did the score across the bread, i made sure I went right to the ends of the bread to give it a full open look. My yeast had been in freezer for a while but pulled some out to get to room temp and did what you suggested at bottom of page and it worked well. Thanks for sharing. The only problem I can see is now that we have to stay home I may eat more bread then I probably should.
Mamma C says
Hi Gail - I think we're all eating too much bread lately! I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Ann Hilner says
I’m supposed to use 1/4 cup of water to proof my yeast. Should I still use 1 1/4 cup in the recipe? Oh and my yeast says to add 1 tsp sugar so only add 1 to the dough
Mamma C says
Hi Ann - I would keep the total ingredient amounts the same as the recipe. So, if you use 1/4 cup of water to proof the yeast, use one cup in the rest of the recipe. If you use one teaspoon of sugar to proof the yeast, use one teaspoon later in the recipe.
Ann Hilner says
Thank you that was very helpful. I made it without the extra 1/4 cup of flour and 1 teaspoon of sugar. It turned out fantastic. Sliced and in the freezer for a lasagna dinner on Saturday. I may have to make another loaf.
Mamma C says
Hi Ann - That's great to hear! Enjoy.
Jodi says
Can this be made with wheat flour instead?
Mamma C says
Hi Jodi - I haven't tested this with whole wheat flour. You might be able to use half all-purpose and half white whole wheat flour and just knead the dough longer. However, if trying it with 100% white whole wheat flour, you might need to add a little vital wheat gluten. I can't give you any concrete advice, since I haven't tried it.
Rachel K says
My family and I love this bread! I am planning on bringing some to a friend who is recovering from surgery. She doesn't need a large loaf so I'm going to try making two smaller loaves from the same recipe. Fingers crossed!
Mamma C says
Hi Rachel - I'm so glad your family loves this Italian bread! It's sweet of you to make it for your friend. The smaller loaves might need less time in the oven. Just keep an eye on them.
Dennis Willis says
Howdy
We tried your recipe today... and love it.
We are thinking about getting a bigger mixer now that we have a recipe we like. We are going to see if you have other bread recipes now too. It would be nice not to be dependent on store bought bread in the future.
We did modify the instructions a bit for a quicker rise:
In a microwave, (or any place you can control heat loss), put a bowl with boiled water next to, but not touching the bowl of dough that you want to proof. It will cut down on the time you need to proof.
The times that worked for us:
One hour for the first rise.
Reheat the water.
Thirty minutes for the second rise.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k1pvke2bmskpzco/ItalianBread.jpg?dl=0
Dennis Willis says
Sorry... thirty minutes for the second rise. I can't see a way to edit my first post.
Mamma C says
I was able to edit that. Thanks!
Mamma C says
Hi Dennis -I'm so happy to hear you love this Italian bread recipe! You might like my Panettone recipe, which is Italian Christmas bread. I also have a Focaccia recipe. Enjoy!
Chrissy says
I would like to make 2 or 3 loaves, should I double the recipe or just keep doing one batch at a time? I would like to cook 2 loaves at one time, does that change the cooking time?
Mamma C says
Hi Chrissy – You could probably double the recipe and then just divide the dough in half after the second rising. The bread needs to be baked on one rack with the pan of water on the rack below. You might not have room to fit two loaves on one rack, unless you have two quarter-sheet pans.
Teresa says
Wonderful and very pretty, I made the dough in the bread machine, punched it down and just closed the lid for the second rise. Formed and baked from there. The steam bake created a professional looking loaf! I also used bread flour and it was delicious. I will try with AP flour next time
Mamma C says
Hi Teresa - Thanks for reporting back! I'm glad to hear it worked when you made the dough in the bread machine. This recipe does make a beautiful loaf of Italian bread.
Maryann Haliw says
Thank you for this bread recipe... it was delicious with some creamy butter, only problem is, is that I should have made at least 2!! I just started making bread again now that I have time, and trying to find an easy recipe. So far this is the easiest and best!!😋
Mamma C says
Hi Maryann - I'm so glad you enjoyed this Italian bread recipe! Thanks for letting me know.
Brenda Brunner says
Hi Andrea!
That's my sisters name (pronounced the same also).
Thank you for your recipe! It's in the oven now. I just turned down the temp. I can't believe it raised in the oven, not needing to let the loaf raise first!
My husband has been wanting homemade italian bread. I have not found a good recipe. I've been using my bread machine, but, this time did all by hand.
I'm just having salad with it and dipping it in olive oil with minced garlic and parmesan 😋
I've been trying to eliminate carbs, but, Jay had to try this! I figure if I only have the bread with salad, it's not so bad. ..lol.😉
Thanks again!
Brenda
Mamma C says
Hi Brenda - I like how you think! I hope you enjoy the bread!
Brenda Brunner says
It was great!
Who would've thought that the way to get crusty bread is to use the steam?! Genius!
I thought you had to oil it or use egg wash.
It was chewy. I kneaded it for about 15 minutes while I was continuing to add an extra 1/2 cup of flour. Does kneading add extra chewiness? I'm making it again today since it's almost gone. I will try the bread machine this time on dough cycle. I guess I will just leave it in the machine for an extra hour since the rise cycle is only 1 hour.
Do you think it would work on parchment paper on pizza stone?
Thanks again for this great recipe!
Mamma C says
Hi Brenda - I'm wondering if your bread needed to bake longer. I'd try that and see if it's better. You should be able to bake it on parchment on your pizza stone. I'm glad you enjoyed the bread!
Nancy says
Would it be ok to use bread flour in this recipe? I bought bread flour for my bread machine and after realizing it was broken I want to try my hand at the old fashioned way (using my kitchen aid mixer of course)!
Mamma C says
Hi Nancy - You can substitute bread flour, although I haven't tried it myself. The texture might be a bit denser with the bread flour.
Nancy Buckley says
Thank you! I’m making my first 2 loaves today with my regular flour and will try the bread flour for comparison! Thank you for your quick reply 🙂
Mamma C says
You're welcome, Nancy!