Description
This easy homemade crusty Italian bread features a golden, crispy crust and soft, chewy interior, perfect for any meal or as a standalone treat.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups (450g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp instant yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add warm water, mixing with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let the dough rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a round loaf. Place it on parchment paper.
- 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.
- Place the dough (with parchment) into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Add herbs like rosemary or thyme for an aromatic twist.
- Top with Parmesan before baking for a cheesy crust.
- Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf.
- Store in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or toast as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
