Old World Bread
A rustic, hand-shaped loaf inspired by ancient baking techniques, with a crackling crust and soft, airy crumb. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 65 minutes pairs bread flour, warm water, (instant or active dry) yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1.25 cups warm water
- 1 tsp (instant or active dry) yeast
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp, softened butter
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups bread flour, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp yeast. Make a well in the center and add 1.25 cups warm water. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 2: Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size. Punch down the dough, shape into a round loaf, and place in a floured baking sheet.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Brush the loaf with 1 tbsp melted butter, then bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and the crust is crisp. Let cool slightly before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Old World Bread take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Old World Bread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bread flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Old World Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Old World Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Old World Bread?
French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this old are incredible.
