Bread Machine Italian Bread recipe. These easy step by step instructions show how to make crusty Italian bread in your machine. I make this homemade bread weekly for family!
Italian Bread Recipe For Bread Machine
One of the main reasons why I got a bread machine was because I found myself stopping at the local general store twice a week to pick up a Italian loaf. One of my first recipe goals was to make a Italian Bread that my family would love served with dinner. This bread is now made weekly in my kitchen!
We love this bread served alongside lasagna, Creamy Tomato Soup, and Slow Cooker Casseroles!
Bread Machine Recipes
If you’re new to the bread machine world you’ll want to first read the manual that came with it. Not only will the manual give you some basic recipes, but it’ll also talk about the order you should add your ingredients into the pan.
This is a important step that shouldn’t be overlooked, so please follow your bread machines ordering for the best possible bread. Most likely the order will look something like this:
- Water (Liquids)
- Flour
- Sugar
- Dry Milk (note: you don’t need milk for this recipe)
- Salt
- Butter / Oils
- Yeast
It’s important to add them in the right order as it will affect the bread quality when it’s kneading it.
I have a Zojirushi BB-SSC10 bread maker which makes 1 pound loaf sizes, perfect for my family.
If you are looking for something a little larger check out Cuisinart 2 pound bread maker. If you aren’t sure what bread maker to get, check out my bread machine guide.
Italian Bread Ingredients
Here’s the ingredients you’ll need to make this Italian Bread. The ingredients are so basic you probably already have everything in your pantry.
- water
- bread flour
- sugar
- salt
- olive oil
- active dry yeast
How to Make Homemade Bread
Time to make Italian Bread! Grab your bread machine and plug it in. Bread machines take on average 3 hours to make bread from beginning to end. The only work you’ll do is in the first 5 minutes!
Add your cold water to the bread pan. Cold water is important for this bread, so don’t use warm water.
Now add your bread flour.
Everyone has their favorite bread flour but in my opinion they aren’t all created equally. I stick with King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill, I’ll buy whichever one is on sale at the grocery store.
Next, add your sugar. You only need 1 tablespoon.
And now your salt..
And now 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Finally add your dry active yeast on top.
Now place your bread pan into the machine and close the lid. If your machine has a Italian bread setting, choose that.
If it doesn’t, just select the basic bread option. Now press start.
Now the bread will start the process of rising, kneading, rising some more and finally baking.
Here’s how it looks in the kneading process in the very beginning.
And this is after it has risen.
And this how it looks when it’s fully baked. Beautiful, isn’t it?
When it’s done baking your machine will probably let out a fun little jingle. Do a little dance because you just made delicious Italian Bread! (Want to know something really crazy? While I was typing the last line my loaf of bread finished and it started playing the jingle! How’s that for perfect timing? Now I’m worried that my bread machine is watching me!).
After it’s finished baking, your machine will most likely turn on warm mode to keep it warm. You can keep it like this, or if you’re impatient like me you’ll take it out of the machine (careful: it’s hot!) and then remove the bread from the pan. No matter how many times I bake bread I’m always amazed by how easily it slides out of the pan!
Now it’s time to cut a slice of this bread and enjoy! I love my Italian bread with a little bit of butter, or raspberry jam if I’m looking for a treat!
More Bread Recipes
If you’re looking for more bread recipes, try some of my favorites below.
- 2 Hour Crockpot Bread
- Fluffy Bread Machine Rolls
- Homemade Bread Machine Pizza Dough
- Sourdough Crockpot Bread
- Homemade Slow Cooker Bagels
- Whole Wheat Slow Cooker Bread
- Easy Garlic Knots
- Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
- Moist Jalapeno Cornbread
- Flaky Biscuits
If you’re looking for beginner bread machine recipes check out this easy bread using all purpose flour and this foolproof sandwich bread recipe.
Pin for later:
Bread Machine Italian Bread
PrintIngredients
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 2 cups bread flour I recommend King Arthur or Bob's Red Mill
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
Instructions
- Place water, bread flour, sugar, salt, olive oil and active dry yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
- If you have a Italian Bread cycle, press that. If you don't, select Basic Bread cycle. Press Start.
- The machine will now make the bread. Once it's done baking, remove from the machine and serve.
Christina says
This recipe is fantastic! Thank you for giving us the best Tasting bread in a bread machine.. believe I had tried many … This one is top notch!!
Pamela says
Thank you Christina! So happy you liked this recipe! 🙂
Chris says
Bread is great, but having to scroll through 40 ads and the history of bread isn’t fun on mobile
Donna. says
I assume that you just double everything for a 2 pound loaf??
CoraLyn Hughes says
This looks yummy… Do you think it would work with 00 Pizza Flour from Italy? Thank you!
MARIA AIELLO says
Could you tell me what kind of bread machine you have pictured here? I liked that it has a gluten free and vegan setting!
Pamela says
Sure, I have a Zojirushi BB-SSC10 bread maker. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/2CCfrf4
Vanessa says
This was very good in the bread machine but my machine doesn’t mix ingredients enough and I’ll need to use the oven next instead. How long should I put this in the oven for? And on 350 degrees?
Theresa says
Does this only make a one pound loaf? That was my only concern… which size to put into program. Thank you
Pamela says
Yes, it makes a 1 pound loaf of bread.
Lucy says
I am Italian. I have been looking for a bread machine recipe that makes good Italian bread. I have tried many from Pinterest. They were very good but not what I wanted. Yours is really the easiest and best recipe. I have made it many times and always turns out good. Can be used for many recipes. I want to Thankyou so very much and I will try your other recipes. This is only time I have wanted to leave a remark🙂
Ritu says
Loved it! I added rosemary, oregano, garlic powder and even some chilli flakes. Yummy…
Erica says
Made this last night and it was delicious! I was searching for a bread maker recipe that didn’t need dry milk, and worked with the stuff I already had in my pantry. Thanks for the great recipe!
Karen says
I love this recipe!! I just discovered it a few days ago and I’ve already made about 6 loaves! I have given some to family and a couple friends! They all absolutely loved it! Making some more as I type this. 😂 It smells heavenly! Nothing like homemade, fresh, baking bread!😋 ❤️
Rwford says
Made 2x in less than 24 hrs. Slice thick and add pizza sauce and toppings. Slide in under the broiler until cheese turns golden brown!
Pamela says
I love that you’re loving this recipe! Pizza bread is one of my favorites, might need to make for dinner tonight! 🙂
Barb Church says
Can’t wait to devour this bread. What an easy recipe.
Lauren says
My second recipe in the new bread machine and it came out FAB. Thank you so much for the great recipe. Printed and now in my binder!
Daphne Brooks says
We were waiting with butter when it came out of machine delicious nice soft crumb
Pamela says
Haha, I love it! Enjoy this yummy bread Daphne!
Madeline says
Can I double the recipe for my 2pound bread machine ?
Lisa H says
I loved the flavor in this bread. Can you tell me if it’s supposed to be 2lbs or less? It did look a little smaller than normal but it was amazing ! Is it possible to double this recipe in the bread maker ?
Pamela says
Hey Lisa, this makes a 1 pound loaf, which is the size of my bread machine. Glad to hear you liked this bread recipe, thank you for commenting!
Lia Reitzloff says
This tasted great but my loaf didn’t rise enough to fill my pan all the way across and it didn’t have much height either. I have a small bread machine as well.
Lia Reitzloff says
*edited*
I just read that my bread machine actually makes a 2 lb loaf so that was my mistake! I don’t know how to delete my original comment but I would give this 5 stars
Marcel says
I only have quick rise yeast. Can I use that instead of active dry yeast. Yeast is very difficult to get now in the grocery stores due to the covid19. Marcel
Rob Avallone says
Absolutely delicious. I added 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and mixed Italian seasonings all Badia brand. It was delicious and the smell while baking was driving us crazy waiting for the eating stage!
Rebecca Thoreson says
If I want to make a 1.5 lb loaf (which I what my bread machine makes) do I just multiply all ingredients by 1.5? Thank you!
Pamela says
That’s exactly right. Enjoy the bread Rebecca!
Lisa says
What size bread machine is this for? I have a 1 pound size machine, one of the original small sized ones.
Pamela says
Hey Lisa, this is for a 1 lb loaf size, so it will work perfect for your machine.
Machelle says
I used cold water even though my Oster bread maker manual said to use room temperature water. The loaf came out uneven. Why is cold water key for this recipe? Tastes great, but isn’t pretty. Thanks!
Pamela says
Hey Machelle, the cold water helps the yeast from rising too quickly, something we don’t want with bread machines as they are usually on timers. Glad to hear it tastes great! Don’t worry, all bread doesn’t need to be gorgeous, it’s the taste that matters!
Helen says
Love the looks of your Italian Bread. One of my favorites to make in my West Bend Baker’s Choice. Nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread coming out of our bread machines. Give banana bread a try. It is absolutely delicious.
Pamela says
I agree Helen, I love the smell of fresh homemade bread too! I’m going to try for banana bread next!
Mrs Earls says
I have been trying so many recipes to find my GO-TO bread and THIS IS THE ONE!!!!! I have found it!!! It is a hit with the entire family!! (Perfect for sandwiches…or buttered with a little garlic…this bread is soft and DEEEE-LISH) Thank you so much for sharing!!
Kathy says
I saw that you posted this on Facebook so I made it the following day. The bread is very delicious and has a good amount of crusty outside and soft inside. Will save the recipe to make again!
Pamela says
Hey Kathy, thanks for commenting. Glad you liked the bread!
Barbara says
ok…got it now
Pamela says
Glad you found them!
Barbara says
So … where are the AMOUNTS for the ingredients? I see the list of ingredients, but not the measurements … please!