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.
Cynthia McElhatten says
This is excellent bread. Love the recipe. I made it in my bread machine and used the dark setting on the crust. The only issue I have is not with this recipe but with bread machines in general. They lack character. I love making an artisan loaf’ So if having company for dinner I would take the dough out right before the second rise and shape it and bake in the over. I got the bread machine for everyday bread that is no fuss.
I love the crunch of this crust!!! It’s a keeper!
Jean says
My bread machine is asking “what size loaf?
Alli says
Just got a bread maker! This will be my first loaf! Fingers crossed
Lori says
This bread is absolutely delicious! I am going to try to turn it into a 2 lb loaf. I will post update after I try it. If it’s a fail at 2 lb it’s a winner at 1 lb. thank you!
Pamela says
Glad to hear you like it Lori! Thanks for commenting!
Theresa Brink says
Can I use all purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Alee says
This a delicious bread and I love the taste. But it doesn’t rise high enough. It gets to about half of what your photos show in height. I’ve now made it a number of times with the same problem. I am using an Italian flour sometimes or Bobs RedMill. Can you make a suggestion, please?
Thank you. Alee
Tina says
Is there a way to add cheese and olives? When do you put those in? Thanks for the help I’m new to bread machines.
Kathy Friou says
I have not made this. I need a 2 lb loaf for my family.
Cheryl Liebsch Regalado says
Can you use French cycle on the bread machine for the Italian bread cycle
S. Bell says
Went together so fast, and 3 hours later, fresh crusty
bread on the outside, warm soft goodness on the inside. Will definitely be making this again and again!
Bonnie says
Oh my goodness!!! This bread is so good!! I’m so glad that I chose this recipe. It’s very easy and so good. I made bread sticks from the recipe but I’m looking forward to doing a full loaf
Maya says
For all who wanted a different size loaf just use the scale at the top of the recipe card. I haven’t tried that yet, but will try with 3 cups of flour.
Mav says
Hi I just bought a bread maker machine and was looking for a easy beginner recipe to start my first loaf. Found yours and tried it fingers crossed! Yay! Came out nicely, waited for ant 45mins before eating. Crust was crispy and insides was soft n yummy! Thanks! Confidence gained! 😊
Janet S says
Thank you for sharing your recipe! I just got a new bread machine today and I didn’t have all the ingredients for the recipes in the book that came with the machine. I found your recipe and followed it to the letter and it turned out great!! It was my first time ever using a bread machine and your tips and directions were so helpful. Thanks again!
Christie says
Love this Italian bread recipe, would you please write it out for a 2 lb loaf ? I would appreciate it, thank you !
mK says
What size is this one for?
Tracey says
What size loaf does this make? My machine has settings for 1.5 and 2 pound loafs.
Jackie Seneci says
Do you have a recipe book to purchase
Pamela says
Hey Jackie, I don’t currently have one, but it would be fun to do one day! 🙂 Make sure to sign up for my newsletter, so you can find out when I do!
mK says
What size is this one for?
Pamela says
It makes a 1 pound loaf of bread
Jackie says
Looking forward to making this recipe thank you
Alee says
You mentioned dry milk in list of ingredients, but did not list it in adding ingredients to bread pan. So am a bit confused if it is needed or left out in error. Please comment. Thank you.
Pamela says
No, you don’t need dry milk for this recipe, please follow the recipe card ingredients. The mention of milk was just in general discussion of bread machines. Hope this helps!
Jacqueline Seneci says
Love this recipe
Christina says
I have commented on this recipe before but am curious about recommendations for Oven baking this bread
Christina says
This is always a perfect loaf of bread I make it every other day and is consistently excellent
Laura Gibbs says
This is the best breakfast I’ve ever made in my bread machine. It has wonderful chew and came out perfect.
Elizabeth says
Great recipe for the bread machine! What are the proportions for a one and a half pound loaf? Thanks!
Christie says
Love this Italian bread recipe, would you please write it out for a 2 lb loaf ? I would appreciate it, thank you !
Nora K says
I love this recipe, have been making this bread once a week, we don’t eat a lot of bread, just the perfect size, great taste…
Pamela says
I’m so happy to hear you like this bread Nora! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
JR says
This was the best bread machine bread. I just got my bread machine and tried an included recipe. It was a disaster. Then I found your recipe for Italian bread and it turned out perfect. I’d like to make the dough in the machine, but then take it out and form it into an Italian style loaf. Have your tried that? This bread will be on the holiday dinner menu whether in a bread machine loaf or an Italian loaf. Very good. Thank you.