Name: Crusty Italian Bread Made Simple | Bread Easy Recipes Anyone Can Master
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 180 min
Ingredients: 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast; 2 cups warm water (110°F); 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp salt; Cornmeal for dusting (optional)

Jump to Recipe

This crusty Italian bread recipe is the kind of loaf that makes you feel like you’ve just raided a village bakery in the hills of Tuscany. It’s golden, crisp on the outside, and warm and chewy inside—the kind of bread that never makes it to the basket because someone always tears off a chunk straight from the oven (guilty as charged). I’ve made this countless times and let me tell you—it’s the kind of reliable go-to that works whether you’re slathering it in butter, dunking it in soup, or using it as a sponge for your favorite pasta sauce. We’re talking real-deal comfort bread here, made with basic ingredients, no bread machine needed, and zero stress. I promise you don’t need to be some kind of culinary wizard to pull this off. All it takes is a little time, a warm spot for rising, and a decent attitude about getting flour everywhere (consider it a rite of passage). I love how this recipe lines up with so many baking trends—quick and easy recipes, vegan easy recipes, even air fryer easy recipes if you tweak the method. It gives the same vibes as homemade pretzels soft easy recipes or butter swim biscuits easy recipes—warm, inviting, and just a bit rustic in the best way. If your kitchen’s missing the smell of baking bread, this is your sign. Let’s get our hands in some dough and make something magical.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Crusty Italian Bread Recipe
3) Ingredients for Crusty Italian Bread
4) How to Make Crusty Italian Bread
5) Tips for Making Crusty Italian Bread
6) Making Crusty Italian Bread Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Crusty Italian Bread
8) Try these Bread recipes next!
9) Crusty Italian Bread
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

You don’t need fancy tools or a bread machine to pull this off
This recipe is part of the classic bread easy recipes group
Make-ahead friendly and freezer-safe
Perfect crust with a soft, chewy inside

2) Easy Crusty Italian Bread Recipe

This crusty Italian bread falls under the bread easy recipes category for a reason—it’s a no-stress, minimal-ingredient, maximum-satisfaction loaf. You start with yeast, water, flour, and salt, and you end up with something that smells like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.

I’ve been making this on weeknights when I want to feel a little extra fancy without doing anything complicated. The dough takes a nap (aka rises), you punch it down like it said something rude, and then it puffs up into two proud loaves of rustic glory. It’s great for newbies and seasoned bakers alike.

Whether you’re serving it with pasta or just eating slice after slice standing over the kitchen counter (we’ve all done it), this bread delivers. It’s in the same family of comfort as quick and easy recipes, sweet easy recipes, and even works as a base for creative twists like air fryer easy recipes if you get bold.

3) Ingredients for Crusty Italian Bread

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast — This little packet of magic is what gives your bread lift. Proof it in warm water and watch it bloom like a happy science experiment.

2 cups warm water (110°F) — Not too hot, not too cold. Think “baby’s bath water” warm. This helps wake up the yeast.

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour — The backbone of the bread. Go with all-purpose flour unless you’re a pro with alternatives.

2 tsp salt — Just the right amount to bring the flavor to life. Without it, your bread will taste flat and sad.

Cornmeal for dusting (optional) — Adds texture to the bottom and keeps your loaves from sticking to the pan. Totally optional but worth it.

4) How to Make Crusty Italian Bread

Step 1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it gets foamy and bubbly.

Step 2. Stir in the salt and flour one cup at a time. Mix until you get a sticky dough that holds together.

Step 3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Use the heels of your hands and get into it—it’s therapeutic.

Step 4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 90 minutes or until it doubles in size.

Step 5. Punch down the dough (gently!) and divide it into two loaves. Shape each one and place on a baking sheet lined with cornmeal.

Step 6. Let the shaped loaves rest for 30 to 45 minutes. They’ll puff up a bit more. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425°F.

Step 7. Make a few shallow slashes across the top with a sharp knife. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Step 8. Cool on a wire rack. Then grab some butter or olive oil and prepare to be very pleased with yourself.

5) Tips for Making Crusty Italian Bread

Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area. Think above the fridge or inside your oven with the light on. Too cold and it’ll sulk.

Don’t skip the slashes on top. They aren’t just for show—they help the bread rise properly in the oven.

Stick to all-purpose flour if you’re new to bread baking. Bread flour will give you more chew, but all-purpose keeps it easy and soft, perfect for fans of homemade pretzels soft easy recipes.

6) Making Crusty Italian Bread Ahead of Time

You can make the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the fridge. This helps develop flavor and saves time on baking day.

Let the chilled dough come to room temperature before baking. Give it a little patience and it’ll rise up again like a champ.

This approach is great if you’re meal prepping or planning for guests. Bread easy recipes don’t get more convenient than this.

7) Storing Leftover Crusty Italian Bread

Store leftover bread in a paper bag or wrapped in a towel. Plastic traps moisture and makes the crust soft—not what we want.

If you want to freeze it, let it cool completely first. Then wrap it tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag. It’ll last for months.

To reheat, pop the bread in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. It’ll come back to life, crust and all.

8) Try these Bread recipes next!

9) Crusty Italian Bread