Homemade Italian Sandwich Bread

Everyone needs a simple, basic, everyday loaf and this Italian sandwich bread is one of the easiest, fluffiest, most foolproof recipes ever. The sesame seed crust looks fancy but takes zero skill, and the bread itself is so forgiving that even beginners can nail it on the first try.

The sesame seed crust looks fancy but takes zero skill, and the bread itself is foolproof. Make thick sandwiches or toast it with butter.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

I’ve said many times on here that you don’t need to activate your yeast first. Now that we all know that, I suggest using your stand mixer to knead. But if you don’t have one, you can knead by hand.

This makes 1 loaf, but it’s so easy to double or triple the recipe and freeze the other loaves for later. You can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Bread Dough

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 2 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing) (can also substitute melted butter)

Topping Loaf

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

How to Make

Step One: Mix Everything Together

Dump the flour, yeast, sugar, water, salt, and olive oil into a big bowl and mix together. If it looks too dry, add a splash more water. Too sticky? Sprinkle in some flour. Easy.

Step Two: Knead

Get your hands dirty and knead for 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy. Or use your stand mixer with the dough hook for 5-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you can stretch it thin without it ripping.

Step Three: First Rise

Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it double in size. This will take about an hour.

Step Four: Shape Your Loaf

Stretch the dough into a rectangle – about 9 by 18 inches, nothing fancy. Fold the corners in, roll it up, pinch the seams shut, and put it in your greased loaf pan.

Step Five: Second Rise

Let it puff up again for an hour. It should peek over the top of your pan.

Step Six: Bake it

Heat your oven to 350°F. Beat an egg with a tablespoon of water, brush it on top, sprinkle those sesame seeds, and bake for 40 minutes until it’s golden and sounds hollow when you tap it.

Step Seven: Cool Down

Turn it out of the pan and let it cool before you slice it.

Storage Instructions

Store in an airtight container or a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

This bread freezes well. To freeze, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving ideas

A slice of this really goes with anything.

• Toast it with homemade butter, cherry jam, or avocado.
• Make deli sub sandwiches with thick deli turkey and cheese, or Italian subs with salami and pepperoni.
• Make the kids a peanut butter and jam sandwich or grilled cheese.
• Serve alongside a bowl of tomato soup.

More Bread Recipes

• These chewy Italian sesame rolls are perfect for sandwiches, and the recipe is very similar to this bread.
• If you want a wheat bread, honey wheat sandwich bread is the way to go.
• Soft Italian bread is like those big, fat loaves from the bakery.
• And if you have a sourdough starter, you can try making crusty Italian sourdough rolls.

Printable Recipe