Bread Machine Italian Bread
Craving Italian bread but donโt 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.

Bread Machine Italian Bread
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
Want To Save This For Later?
You'll join my email list which you will love. And if you don't, unsubscribe in one click. โค๏ธ
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.
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 machineโs 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.
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, itโs way easier and faster with the bread machine.

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.
Key Ingredients and Tools
Youโll want to pay close attention to a few key things to make this bread successfully.

- Bread Machine. This recipe is designed for a bread machine, so youโll 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 donโt 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 isnโt 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!
Troubleshooting and Help
Absolutely! You can use all-purpose flour if thatโs 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 itโs mixing, and add a tiny bit more water if it looks too dry.
Hmm, a few things could cause that. First, double-check that your yeast is fresh! Old yeast wonโt 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 youโre 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.
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!
This recipe is specifically designed for the bread machine. If you donโt have one, try my easy Italian bread recipe that you can make in the oven.
Iโm always happy to help! If you have any questions about this recipe, leave a comment below, and Iโll do my best to answer it.
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.


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.