Bread Machine Italian Bread

Craving Italian bread but donโ€™t want to spend hours in the kitchen? Me too! This bread machine Italian bread recipe is the answer! With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty bread machine, you can have a delicious loaf ready to enjoy in no time. Keep a close eye on your dough during the mixing phase, and add a touch more water if needed.

Italian bread loaf sliced open.

Bread Machine Italian Bread

This simple recipe lets your bread machine do all the work for a delicious homemade Italian loaf. Makes a 1 pound loaf.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Serving Size 12 slices

Ingredients 

  • 2 ยฝ cups bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ยพ cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder optional

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Instructions 

  • Add Ingredients. Add the water, olive oil, sugar, and salt to the bread machine pan. Sprinkle the flour on top to cover the liquid completely. Make a small well in the center of the flour and add the yeast. Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder if desired.
  • Select Cycle. Choose the basic or white bread setting on your bread machine for a 1-pound loaf. Select the medium or dark crust setting if your machine allows it.
  • Start Machine. Start the bread machine and let it run through its cycle. This should take about 2 to 2 ยฝ hours, depending on your machine.
  • Check Dough. Check your dough during the mixing phase to make sure it is not too dry. If it is too dry (like mine was), add a few teaspoons of water. Adjust as needed.
  • Cool. Once the bread is done baking, remove it from the machine and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
    overhead shot of finished bread loaf in bread machine.

Notes

  • All-purpose flour is also fine, but reduce the water by 1-2 tablespoons and add more if needed.
  • In general, I recommend following your bread machineโ€™s manual for the best order for your ingredients, but I tend to just throw things in,
  • If your machine allows for a 2-pound loaf, this will double well.
Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg

I know not everyone loves plain bread, but I do! I still love my artisan bread, like my white chocolate raspberry sourdough bread, but simple Italian bread goes with everything! Plus, itโ€™s way easier and faster with the bread machine.

close up shot of inside of bread.

This bread is excellent for toast in the morning, sandwiches for school lunches, or to make a grilled cheese! If I have leftovers, I even use them to make croutons. Seriously, this bread can be used and enjoyed however you want.

Bread Tips

  • Flour Power: Different flours absorb liquid differently. Keep a close eye on the dough during the mixing cycle, and add more water by the teaspoon if needed. You want a smooth, slightly tacky dough, not a dry ball. ย 
  • Yeast Check: Make sure your yeast is fresh! Old yeast wonโ€™t rise properly, and youโ€™ll have a dense loaf. To test it, stir a teaspoon of yeast into ยผ cup warm water with a pinch of sugar. Youโ€™re good to go if it foams up in about 5 minutes! ย 
  • Donโ€™t Overcrowd: Resist the urge to peek too often during the baking cycle. Opening the lid can cause the temperature to drop and affect the rise.
  • Perfect Crust: For a softer crust, wrap the warm loaf in a clean kitchen towel when it comes out of the machine.
  • Adjust for Altitude: Consult this article to adjust the recipe if you live above sea level.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Youโ€™ll want to pay close attention to a few key things to make this bread successfully.

overhead shot of bread machine and ingredients measured out.
  • Bread Machine. This recipe is designed for a bread machine, so youโ€™ll need one to make this loaf. They come in all shapes and sizes, and most have different settings for loaf size and crust color.
  • Bread Flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which gives this loaf a nice chewiness. If you donโ€™t have bread flour, you can use all-purpose, but you may need to adjust the amount of water.
  • Active Dry Yeast. Yeast is what makes the bread rise. Make sure yours isnโ€™t expired! You can usually find it in the baking aisle near the flour.

These key ingredients and tools will help you bake up a delicious loaf of Italian bread in no time!

Serving Suggestions

Serve toasted with butter and strawberry jam, as a side to pasta dishes, or use to make a grilled cheese and serve with tomato soup.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Absolutely! You can use all-purpose flour if thatโ€™s what you have on hand. Remember that you might need to reduce the water by a tablespoon or two since all-purpose flour absorbs liquid differently. Keep an eye on the dough while itโ€™s mixing, and add a tiny bit more water if it looks too dry.

My bread came out a little dense. What did I do wrong?

Hmm, a few things could cause that. First, double-check that your yeast is fresh! Old yeast wonโ€™t give you a good rise. You can test it by mixing a teaspoon with some warm water and a pinch of sugar โ€“ it should get foamy. Also, make sure youโ€™re measuring your flour correctly. Too much flour can make the bread dense. Finally, each bread machine is a little different, so you might need to experiment with the amount of liquid to find what works best for you.

Can I add other flavors to the bread?

Of course! This recipe is a great base for all sorts of flavors. Add chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted garlic for a savory twist. You could even add some grated Parmesan cheese!

I donโ€™t have a bread machine. Can I still make this recipe?

This recipe is specifically designed for the bread machine. If you donโ€™t have one, try my easy Italian bread recipe that you can make in the oven.

Iโ€™m always happy to help! If you have any questions about this recipe, leave a comment below, and Iโ€™ll do my best to answer it.

Storing Leftovers

Room Temperature:

  • Let your bread cool completely on a wire rack before storing it. This prevents it from getting soggy.
  • Once cool, store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • This will keep it fresh for about three days.

Freezing:

  • Slice it first, then place the slices in a freezer bag.
  • Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag tightly.
  • Frozen bread will stay good for about three months.

There you have it! Baking your own Italian bread at home is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and your bread machine, you can have a delicious loaf ready to enjoy with your favorite meals.

Italian bread loaf sliced open with a slice in bottom corner.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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