How to Make Italian Bread | Basic Easy Italian Bread Recipe

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour is more nutritious, while all-purpose flour is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier, while vegetable oil is usually cheaper.

Activate the yeast by mixing 1 cup of hot water with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture.

Start mixing in flour, beginning with about 1 cup, using a wooden spoon.

Add salt after mixing in some flour, then continue adding flour until the dough comes together and is fairly sticky.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Form the dough into a ball and coat it with olive oil in a bowl.

Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and a damp cloth, and let it rise for about an hour.

Punch down the risen dough, shape it into a foot-long loaf, and place it on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

Cover the loaf loosely with plastic wrap and a damp cloth, and let it rise for another 20-30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit about 15 minutes before baking.

Make slits on top of the loaf with a serrated knife before baking.

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens