Crusty Italian Bread (Bakery-Style Loaf)

Bake a golden, bakery-style Italian loaf right at home! This quick and easy crusty bread recipe delivers a crisp exterior and soft, chewy interior—perfect for pasta night or sandwiches.

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the kitchen. And, if you’ve read my Weddings by Bella series, you know that Bella’s Aunt Rosa is keen on delicious breads, especially her Garlic Knots.

Today I’m sharing a simple recipe for homemade crusty Italian bread that tastes like it came straight from the bakery. I promise, even Aunt Rosa would approve! And, unlike the Garlic Knots, this is a basic bread without that garlic addition.

With just a few pantry staples and a little patience, you’ll have a golden loaf with a crisp crust and delicious, chewy center—perfect for serving with pasta, soups, or just a slather of butter.

What Makes it Italian Bread?

You might wonder what makes this “Italian” bread if there aren’t any herbs or cheeses mixed in. The answer is in its texture and baking style.

Italian breads are known for their crisp, rustic crusts and soft, chewy interiors—perfect for tearing and dipping into olive oil or serving alongside pasta dishes.

This recipe mimics the simple bakery-style loaves you’d find in Italy, made with just flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil. It’s a back-to-basics bread that celebrates the Italian tradition of keeping things simple, rustic, and delicious.

What are we waiting for? Let’s bake up a delicious Italian Crusty Loaf.

Italian Crusty Loaf Ingredients

If you jump to the end of this post you’ll find a recipe card you can print up. These are such simple ingredients! I’m guessing you already have most in your kitchen.

• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Note: Rapid-rise yeast is fine.

How to Make Italian Crusty Loaf

I’ve been on a roll making sourdough lately, and it’s a long (and somewhat complicated) process. I don’t mind admitting I breathed a sigh of relief when I stumbled across this recipe at The Food Journal. A bread that could be mixed and baked in just an hour or two? I was thrilled.

Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add olive oil, salt, and 3 ½ cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until a sticky dough forms. Add more flour, a little at a time, if needed.

Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough may look a bit rough at first but will come together as you knead.

Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Loaf
Punch down the dough and shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Bake the Bread
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). For a crisp crust, place a shallow pan of hot water on the bottom rack of your oven. Slash the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.

Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Step 7: Cool and Serve
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool before slicing.

Serving Suggestion

• Serve warm with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Pair with spaghetti or lasagna for an authentic Italian touch.
• Use leftovers for sandwiches or garlic bread.

How to Store Crusty Italian Bread

Homemade bread is best enjoyed the day it’s baked, but you can store your loaf to keep it fresh longer:

Reheating Tip: To bring back the crusty texture, spritz the loaf lightly with water and warm it in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes before serving.

Room Temperature: Wrap the cooled loaf in a clean kitchen towel or place it in a paper bag. This keeps the crust crisp while preventing it from drying out. Avoid plastic bags, which can make the crust soft. Use within 2–3 days.

Freezer: For longer storage, slice the bread, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven.

Suggested Add-Ins for Italian Bread

This rustic Italian bread is delicious on its own, but you can easily customize it with fun mix-ins. Try one of these for extra flavor:

• Herbs: Fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, or basil kneaded into the dough.
• Cheese: Shredded Parmesan, mozzarella, or asiago for a cheesy twist.
• Garlic: Roasted garlic cloves folded in for a savory, aromatic loaf.
• Olives: Chopped green or black olives for a Mediterranean flair.
• Seeds: Sesame seeds or poppy seeds sprinkled on top before baking.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds a chewy, tangy bite to every slice.

Each variation transforms this simple bread into something special, perfect for serving at gatherings or alongside an Italian-inspired meal.

Other Breads You Might Enjoy

If you like this recipe, you’re bound to love the following breads from my Out of the Box Baking site. (Like I said, I’ve been on quite the roll baking up sourdough!)

• Same Day Sourdough (with yeast): I call this my cheater’s sourdough, but I (personally) love both the taste and the texture. It’s not as chewy as traditional sourdough, but that’s one of the things I love about it.
• Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread: If you’re addicted to the brown bread at Cheesecake Factory, have I got a treat for you! This one is equally as delicious and can be made in your very own kitchen.
• Dave’s Killer Bread Recipe: If you love a textured bread, this one is going to make you swoon!
• Easy Challah Bread from Scratch: Simple. Delicious. And so, so perfect, any time of year!

That’s it for this post! Thanks for swinging by Storybook Kitchen! Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Author

Janice Thompson is the author and baker! She loves her time in the kitchen almost as much as she enjoys penning comedic tales for her readers to enjoy.