crusty Italian bread
A rustic Italian bread with a crackly crust and soft, airy crumb. Perfect for dipping, sandwiches, or enjoying on its own.
Ingredients
- - 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- - 1 tsp sea salt
- - 1.5 cups warm water
- - 2 tsp instant yeast or active dry yeast
Instructions
- 1️⃣ In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and yeast.
- 2️⃣ Pour in warm water and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- 3️⃣ Cover loosely and let rise at room temperature for 2–3 hours.
- 4️⃣ Shape gently into a round loaf and score the top.
- 5️⃣ Preheat oven to 450°F with a pizza stone and a bowl of water for steam.
- 6️⃣ Bake for 30–45 minutes until golden brown.
- 7️⃣ Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For added flavor, incorporate herbs like rosemary or olives.
- Let the loaf cool on a wire rack to keep the crusty texture.
- Let the loaf cool on a wire rack to keep the crusty texture.