I swear, once you make this bread, it becomes dangerous… because suddenly buying bread from the store starts feeling unnecessary. It is that easy.
No kneading, no eggs, no butter, no complicated steps. Just a few basic ingredients, one bowl, and a little waiting time while the dough does its thing. That is it. No mixer, no special skills, no “I hope this works” drama.
And the best part? It comes out so good. Soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and smelling so amazing that waiting for it to cool feels like a personal challenge.
This is the kind of recipe I love sharing with a friend because it is cheap, simple, and honestly hard to mess up. Perfect for breakfast, soup, sandwiches, or just tearing off a warm piece and eating it standing in the kitchen like we all do.
If you enjoy easy homemade recipes like this, leave a little thank you in the comments so I know to keep sharing more.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional on top:
- a little dried rosemary
- a little thyme
- a sprinkle of flour
How to Make This Easy Bread
Start by taking a big bowl and adding the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Give it a quick mix so everything is evenly combined.
Now pour in the warm water and olive oil. Mix it all together with a spoon or spatula until you get a sticky dough. It will not look smooth and fancy, and that is completely fine. This is not that kind of bread. This is the easy, lazy, delicious kind.
Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 and a half hours. You want it to look puffy and doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, transfer it gently into a greased or floured baking pan, round dish, or skillet. No need to knead it. Just shape it a little with your hands if needed.
If you want, dust a little flour on top and add some rosemary or thyme. You can also make a few light cuts on top with a knife so it bakes up beautifully.
Let it rest again for about 20 minutes while your oven preheats to 400°F / 200°C.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf looks beautiful and baked through.
Take it out and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Or do what most of us do and cut into it too early because it smells too good to ignore.
Little Tips From My Kitchen
Use warm water, not hot, because hot water can ruin the yeast and then everybody gets disappointed.
If the dough feels very sticky, you can sprinkle in a tiny bit more flour, but do not overdo it. A soft dough gives you soft bread.
This bread is perfect with butter, jam, cheese, soup, olive oil, or even just plain while it is still warm.
You can also add garlic powder or mixed herbs if you want a little extra flavor.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I really love about this bread is that it does not ask for much. No expensive ingredients, no long list, no mixer, no kneading workout. Just simple ingredients turning into something warm, homemade, and really comforting.
It is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you did something special without actually working that hard, and honestly, those are the best recipes.