Italian Bread

There’s nothing more welcoming than a basket of warm Italian bread on the table. Soft, squishy and encased in a golden crust, Italian bread can easily soak up sauces and oils into its tender crumb. Whether we’re dipping a slice into nice olive oil, scooping up the leftover red sauce on our plate or accidentally filling up before dinner, we’ll look for any excuse to bake a few loaves.

Want to learn how to make Italian bread at home? Our recipe includes in-depth, step-by-step instructions for baking Italian bread that will make any nonna proud.

What makes Italian bread unique?

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Italian bread is super soft and absorbent, making it perfect for scooping up sauces and for dipping in olive oil. This homemade Italian bread has a thin crust that’s not too hard or crunchy, so it works really well for making sandwich recipes, too!

Ingredients for Italian Bread

• Active dry yeast: Make sure you’re grabbing active dry yeast and not instant yeast. They are very different types of yeast, and will not work in the same way. If you’re new to baking yeast breads, familiarizing yourself with how to use yeast will give you the confidence to make bread like a pro.
• Sugar: Don’t skip or reduce the sugar. It helps feed and fuel the yeast, and adds a tiny bit of browning power to the bread.
• Salt: We only need a tiny bit of salt in this Italian bread recipe to amplify its flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Homemade Italian bread should be soft and tender, which is why we opt for all-purpose flour instead of bread flour.

Directions

Step 1: Create the dough

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In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 3 cups of all-purpose flour. Beat the ingredients on medium speed for three minutes. Stir in the remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Editor’s Tip: Test the yeast before adding the flour to see if your yeast is still active. If the mixture becomes nice and foamy, you’re good to go. If it doesn’t, toss the mixture and double-check the yeast package’s expiration date. You may need to buy fresh yeast.

Step 2: Knead the dough and let it rise

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Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until it’s smooth and elastic, six to eight minutes.

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Place the dough in a bowl that’s been greased with olive oil, turning once to grease the top. Cover the bowl with storage wrap or a clean, damp tea towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about one hour.

Editor’s Tip: You’ll know your dough is kneaded enough when you’re able to stretch a piece between your fingers until it’s very thin, making a sort of windowpane. If it tears, the dough needs to be worked more.

Step 3: Shape and proof the dough

After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down, pressing some of the air out of it with your knuckles. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured worktop and divide it in half. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place each loaf seam side-down onto a greased baking sheet. Cover the loaves with storage wrap or a clean, damp tea towel and let them rise until they have doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Bake the bread

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Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F. With a sharp knife, score the bread by making four shallow slashes across the top of each loaf. Bake the loaves until they’re golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the loaves from the pans and place them on wire racks to cool them completely to room temperature.

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Recipe Variations

• Top with sesame seeds: Before slashing the loaves, brush an egg wash on top and sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds on top. We love the extra crunch and rustic look this simple topping gives.
• Mix in dried herbs: Whisk in a few teaspoons of dried Italian herbs into the flour for an herbaceous and savory note.
• Top with cheese: If you’re anything like us, you look for any excuse to add more cheese into your life. Before scoring the bread, brush the bread with an egg wash, then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded asiago cheese on top.

How to Store Italian Bread

To store Italian bread, first let the loaf cool completely to room temperature. The best way to store bread is in a bread box. It creates the perfect humid environment so the loaf stays crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. If you don’t have a bread box, wrap the loaf in storage wrap or transfer the loaf to a gallon-sized resealable bag. Keep the bread at room temperature for up to five days. Also, don’t put your precious bread in the fridge. That’s the quickest way to dry it out!

Can you freeze Italian bread?

Yes, you can freeze Italian bread. Allow it to cool completely to room temperature, then wrap it in a layer of storage wrap and place it in a resealable bag. Store it in the freezer for up to three months, then let it thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours.

You can also slice the bread before freezing it, so you can enjoy just a few pieces at a time. If you’re pre-slicing, wrap the sliced bread in a double layer of storage wrap and place it in a resealable bag and into the freezer.

Italian Bread Tips

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What do you eat with Italian bread?

Italian bread is amazing dipped in olive oil or used to sop up thick sauces. It pairs well with basically any Italian recipe, especially a flavorful Bolognese or a saucy chicken dish like chicken cacciatore.

My dough is taking forever to double! What’s going on?

Dough will rise slower or quicker depending on the temperature of your kitchen. When proofing homemade Italian bread, place it in a warm, humid environment if you can. It will help the yeast create carbon dioxide, which encourages the dough to expand.