Rustic Crusty Bread Recipe

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Rise Time- 2-4 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 45- 4 hours 45

Easy and quick Italian crusty bread recipe you can make at home. No knead, no machine, with only 2-4 hour rise time. (If you put it in a warm place, it will rise faster.) Made with active dry instant yeast, flour and water and baked on a hot pizza stone.

• 1 package instant dry yeast 1/4 oz
• 6.25 c all purpose flour + more for dusting
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 3 c warm water

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl or your kitchen aid mixer add the flour, salt and yeast. Use a spatula or the paddle attachment and mix to combine.
2. Pour in the warm water and keep mixing until everything is incorporated and a soft dough has formed. It will still stick to the bottom of the bowl and that is OK. 
3. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap loosely and a tea towel. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours.
4. Preheat your oven to 450”F with a pizza stone inside for about 45 minutes before baking the bread. Fill an oven proof bowl with 2 inches of water and place it on the bottom rack. This will create the steam that will cause the crust to become crispy as it bakes. 
5. Sprinkle some flour on your kitchen counter and dump the bread dough on it. Flour your hands to help it out of the bowl as it might be sticky. 
6. With floured hands fold the dough onto itself forming it into a round ball. Do not knead it, do not handle it anymore than you need to. Use a sharp knife and lightly carve an X in the top of the loaf or just make a few cuts across.
7. Place the bread dough on top of a lightly floured pizza peel or cardboard and gently slide it on top of the hot pizza stone.
8. Bake the bread for about 45 minutes until golden brown all over and cooked through.

Recipe Notes

Make sure you don’t forget the add the dish with water in the oven to create steam If you are after an extra crusty loaf!