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Easy No-Knead Crusty Italian Bread with Bakery-Style Crunch

Close-up of a thick slice of crusty italian bread showing an open, airy crumb structure.
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Bake authentic, bakery-style crusty Italian bread at home using simple pantry staples. This easy, no-knead recipe delivers a golden, crackling crust and a soft, chewy interior, perfect for dipping in olive oil or making hearty sandwiches.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
  2. Pour in the cool water and mix with a wooden spoon until just combined. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Do not knead.
  3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. This long, slow fermentation develops flavor.
  4. After the long rise, lightly flour a work surface. Gently scrape the dough out of the bowl. Fold the dough over itself a few times to form a rough ball.
  5. Place the dough ball on a piece of parchment paper. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  6. About 20 minutes before the second rest ends, place a Dutch oven with the lid inside your oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius).
  7. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Use the parchment paper as a sling to lower the dough into the hot pot.
  8. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and crisp.
  10. Carefully remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For an extra crackly crust, you can lightly spritz the inside of the oven walls with water during the first 15 minutes of baking (before removing the lid).
  • This recipe is ideal for making bread for soup dipping or the best Italian sandwich bread.
  • If you do not have a Dutch oven, you can bake this on a baking stone, placing a pan of hot water on the bottom rack to create steam.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cravybite.link/crusty-italian-bread-recipe-easy-homemade/