This homemade easy Italian bread recipe has been in my family for years. It requires just 4 ingredients and minimal hands-on-time, making it a great yeast bread recipe for bakers of all levels!
I've been enjoying this easy Italian bread recipe for as long as I can remember.
As a child, I didn't realize how spoiled I was to have freshly baked bread with many of my dinners.
I also didn't realize how easy it was to make this Italian bread recipe until my Mom gave me the job of making it for the first time as a kid.
There are quite a few easy, beginner-friendly vegan yeasted bread recipes on this blog, my favorites being this Easy 4 Ingredient Whole Wheat Artisan Bread, this Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread (No-Knead!) and this amazing Irish Soda Bread recipe.
However, this Italian bread recipe is probably the bread recipe I make most often. Not only does it make Italian bread loaves, you can also use this dough recipe to make Easy Vegan Pizza Bread and even flatbread!
Let me show you how to make it with step-by-step photos and instructions!
Ingredients
Most yeasted bread recipes require just 4-5 ingredients, making them really easy to whip any day of the week. For this Italian bread recipe, you'll need just 5 ingredients which I'll list out below.
- Flour (I often use a mix of white and wheat)
- Active dry yeast
- Salt
- Sugar
- Warm water
As you can see, all of these ingredients are common items that you probably already have in your pantry!
How to make homemade Italian bread
If you're new to making bread, this Italian bread recipe is for you! It really is so easy to prepare and results in fluffy, yet hearty loaves that you'll want to make every week.
Let me show you how to make this Italian bread recipe with step-by-step instructions and photos below.
STEP 1: Mix Dough Ingredients & Pulse
Place the flour, yeast, salt and sugar into a food processor fitted with the dough hook. Pulse the ingredients together until just combined.
STEP 2: Slowly Add Water
Turn the food processor on low and stream warm water into the food processor until a ball of dough starts to form. You want all the flour to stick together without the dough being too sticky, so add the water slowly to make sure it doesn't get too wet. Once the dough has formed, stop adding in water, yet allow the food processor to knead the dough for another minute or two.
STEP 3: Proof the Dough
Place the dough into a greased mixing bowl and allow it to rest in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
STEP 4: Prepare the roll
After the dough has rested and risen a little, dump it out onto a lightly flour surface.
STEP 5: Flatten the Dough
Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough into a rectangle.
STEP 6: Roll the dough
Roll the rectangle up into a tight log.
STEP 7: Pinch the dough ends
Seal the edge of the dough and pinch the ends together.
STEP 8: Roll the log over so that the seam is face down.
STEP 9: Second Proof
Cover the log with a tea towel and allow it to rise in a warm area for 40-60 minutes.
STEP 10: Preheat your oven and bake
While the loaf is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F / 220°C. Bake the loaf for 20 minutes.
STEP 11: Cool & Serve
Allow the loaf to cool before slicing it and enjoying it warm with vegan butter or alongside a bowl of pasta!
Storage
Homemade bread always tastes the best when it is enjoyed fresh the day it is baked. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days on the counter or for 3-4 days in the fridge.
The bread will get harder and tougher the longer it sits, so be sure to zap it in the microwave to soften it back up!
More homemade bread recipes!
Below are my most popular homemade bread recipes for you to try!
📖 Recipe
Easy Italian Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour*
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups warm water**
Instructions
- Place the flour, yeast, salt and sugar into a food processor fitted with the dough hook. Pulse the ingredients together until just combined.
- Turn the food processor on low and stream warm water into the food processor until a ball of dough starts to form. You want all the flour to stick together without the dough being too sticky, so add the water slowly to make sure it doesn't get too wet. Once the dough has just formed, stop adding in water, yet allow the food processor to knead the dough for another minute or two.
- Place the dough into a greased mixing bowl and allow it to rest in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
- After the dough has rested and risen a little, dump it out onto a lightly flour surface. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough into a rectangle. Roll the rectangle up into a tight log. Seal the edge of the dough and pinch the ends together. Roll the log over so that the seam is face down.
- Cover the log with a tea towel and allow it to rise in a warm area for 40-60 minutes. While the loaf is rising, preheat your oven to 425 °F.
- Bake the loaf for 20 minutes.
- Allow the loaf to cool before slicing it and enjoying it warm with vegan butter or alongside a bowl of pasta!
jacquie says
this looks delicious but what about those of us without the resources of a food processor or dough hook? any hope for us to get homemade Italian bread?
thanks.
Faith VanderMolen says
I believe you can use your hands to knead the dough. Start with 1 cup of water and add more as needed until a dough forms. Then knead the dough for a few minutes before continuing with the recipe.
Melissa says
This looks amazing and I love the simplicity! If I don’t have a dough hook for my food processor, could I use my stand mixer? Thanks!
Faith VanderMolen says
I think a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook would work great! Let us know if you try it out and how it goes!
Rosemary says
Sorry. I meant 5 stars.
Faith VanderMolen says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Rosemary! I can't change your star rating, but I think you should be able to go back and click on the 5th star to edit your rating if you want. Thanks so much!