Is it possible to make Italian Bread in a bread machine?

How to Make Italian Bread Using a Bread Machine
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Paesano is one of the most well-known types of Italian bread. This bread is made by allowing the yeast to fully rise over the course of a few hours. This is what makes Italian bread extremely moist and helps the bread to absorb better, perfect for soaking up olive oil and tomatoes from caprese salad.

There are a lot of different types of Italian bread including ciabatta which is made from wheat flour and yeast; paidina which is made from flour, lard and slat and panettone which is a type of bread native to Milan.Loaves of Italian bread are usually shorter and thicker in shape and are usually shaped into larger round loaves.  Italian breads are normally served as an accompaniment to pasta or a main course. In Italy Italian bread is used to absorb the different flavors of olive oils and mop up thick rich pasta sauces.Italy is famous for its savory breads such as focaccia, which is a type of flatbread that is usually baked in the oven. Focaccia is often topped with herbs and other savory ingredients then drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.Making Italian bread in your bread machine is very simple. You will need the following ingredients.

different types of Italian bread


  • 4 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 1/3 cups of warm water
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon of olive oil
  • 1 packet of dry active yeast or bread machine yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon of water
  • 2 tablespoons of cornmeal


  1. Firstly place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast into the pan of your bread machine. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure to add the ingredients in the order that the manufacturer recommends. Next, select the dough setting on your machine and push the start button.
  2. Once the machine has completed its cycle you will need to deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Form the dough into two loaves. Then place the loaves with the seam side down on the cutting board and sprinkle generously with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a warm damp cloth and allow then to rise for about 40 minutes. The loaves should double in volume. Preheat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius.
  3. In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Then brush the risen bread loafs with this egg mixture. Make a quick single long cut in the center of the loaves using a very sharp knife. Make sure that your loaves aren’t sticking to the cutting board by gently shaking the board. If you find the loaves are sticking to the cutting board use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen them. Then slide the loafs onto a baking sheet with one quick and careful motion.
  4. Finally, bake your dough in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the loaves sound hollow when you tap them on the bottom.

Another great Italian bread to try making using your bread machine is Focaccia, which is thought to have originated in the Liguria region.

Bread Machine Focaccia

Bread Machine Focaccia Recipe


  • 1 cup of lukewarm water
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary
  • 3 cups of bread flour
  • 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoon of yeast


  1. Place the water, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, garlic, 1 tablespoon rosemary, bread flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the dough cycle and press start.
  2. Once the bread machine has completed its cycle, remove the dough from the bread machine and pat the dough into your baking pan. Create dimples in your dough by using your fingers. Brush the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining rosemary.
  3. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Cover your focaccia with plastic wrap while the oven preheats.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until it goes golden brown.
  5. Let it cool for at least 5 minutes before you serve it.
  6. Serve and enjoy

The center of the focaccia should be soft and springy while the crust should be very crispy. This decadent Italian bread can be served in both a sweet and savory variety and can be topped with almost anything. An Italian favorite is topping hot focaccia with fresh figs and honey, which is traditionally eaten for breakfast. Topping focaccia with fennel or garlic makes a perfect side for a pasta dish.

If you enjoy this article, we have another one that’s perfect for making Bagels using your bread machine: How to make Bagels using bread machine.

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