Italian Rustic Bread Recipe You Must Try

Hey y’all! Today, we’re diving into a mouthwatering recipe for some seriously scrumptious rustic Italian crusty bread. This warm, crusty loaf is perfect for soaking up all your favorite sauces or just slathering with some good old butter. Let’s get into it and make something magical in the kitchen!

Rustic Italian Crusty Bread

Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. This recipe is simple and oh so satisfying, and trust me, your family is gonna love it!

Rustic Italian Crusty Bread ### Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
Extra flour for dusting

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Give it a good stir to mix everything together.
Pour the warm water into the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon to mix until a shaggy dough forms. Don’t worry about being neat; just get it all combined.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest at room temperature for about 12-18 hours. Yes, you read that right—patience is key for that crusty goodness!
After the long wait, your dough should be bubbly and have doubled in size. Dust your work surface with flour, and gently scrape the dough out onto the floured surface.
With floured hands, fold the dough over on itself a couple of times to shape it into a ball. Be gentle, you don’t wanna deflate all that air.
Transfer the dough onto a piece of parchment paper and cover it with a towel. Let it rise for another 1-2 hours until it puffs up a bit more.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven (lid on) inside to preheat as well for about 30 minutes.
Once the dough is ready and the oven is hot, carefully remove the Dutch oven. Lift the dough with the parchment paper and place it inside the hot pot. Cover it with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, take off the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the bread is beautifully golden brown and crusty.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes (if you can resist!).

And there you have it! A fabulous rustic Italian crusty bread that’s sure to impress the crowd. Slice it up and enjoy it fresh, or store it for a later craving. Trust me; you won’t regret giving this a try!