Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (2024)

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ByAnn Drake

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This rustic bread recipe, baked in a cast iron skillet, pairs perfectly with soups & salads for a delicious and easy dinner. Uses instant yeast.

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (1)

When the COVID-19 quarantine happened last spring, America started baking bread. It was something we could do at home, it was comforting, and who doesn’t love fresh baked bread? This resulted in flour shortages, and at one point, yeast was literally impossible to find. I, like so many others, jumped on the band wagon, and started baking. I concentrated mostly on quick breads, but when I could finally get some yeast, I tried my hand at making this rustic skillet bread. It’s very easy, there is no kneading, and it’s incredibly delicious!

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (2)

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Rustic Bread Recipe Tips

  • Even though this rustic bread recipe is super easy, it does take some time. Believe me, it’s worth it! From start to finish, it takes just under 3 hours. Most of the time involves either rising or baking, so you can definitely be doing other things.
  • You can, of course, use regular yeast. I like the instant yeast because it eliminates the proofing step. (The proofing step is when the regular yeast and warm water are combined. It takes about 10 minutes for the regular yeast to activate.)
  • I used a 12 inch cast iron skillet, but a 10 inch skillet would work. I don’t have a 10 inch skillet, but my guess is that after the second rise, the loaf would be taller, because it has less room to spread out. CLICK HERE FOR MY CAST IRON SKILLET.

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  • In regards to the warm water…I did a little research. The package of instant yeast recommends a water temperature range of 120 to 130 degrees F. Google was all over the place, with the suggested temperatures falling anywhere from 105 degrees F to 130 degrees F. Personally, I have never measured the temperature of the water. I turn on the faucet, and wait until it feels very warm…almost to the point where I can’t hold my finger under the water. Although not scientific, this method has always worked for me.
  • The best way to slice this round loaf is to first cut it into quarters. After that, slice each quarter. It’s a large loaf, so this makes it easy to wrap and freeze part of the loaf to enjoy later.
  • To freeze: wrap the quarters in plastic wrap or press-n-seal. Put the wrapped quarters in a resealable freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • If you would like to add a savory touch, chop up some fresh rosemary or thyme. Sprinkle the herbs on top of the loaf before baking, but after the olive oil step.

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More ideas!

This bread makes the most delicious toast. Make sure to slice it the appropriate width so it fits in your toaster. My favorite way to eat this bread as toast is with a little butter, topped with organic peanut butter.

Another amazing thing you can do with this rustic bread is make bread pudding. This bread is delicious the day it’s baked, and very good the next day. After that, it tends to harden, especially the crust. This is the perfect time to cut the leftover bread into chunks and make this rustic bread pudding recipe.

Skillet Bread Recipe

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4.85 from 13 votes

Author: Ann Drake

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Rising time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 55 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package RapidRise Instant Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons) (I used Fleischmann's)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 cups warm water (Between 120 and 130 degrees F)
  • 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and the package of yeast.

  • While still mixing, slowly pour in the warm water.

  • Mix well. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl with a spatula.

  • In one cup increments, add the remaining 3 cups flour, mixing well between additions.

  • The dough will come together and release from the paddle attachment.

  • Cover mixing bowl with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place. The dough should double in size.

  • After the rising period, scrape the dough out of the bowl on to a floured surface. It's helpful to flour your hands as well.

  • Using as much flour as needed so it doesn't stick, shape the dough into a large disc.

  • Place the disc in a 12 inch cast iron skillet that has been brushed with olive oil.

  • Cover with a towel, and let rise again for 30 minutes.

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Lightly brush 2 tablespoons of olive oil on the top of the dough.

  • Using a sharp knife, slit the dough in 4 places.

  • Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.

  • Optional: rub the end of a stick of butter on top of loaf immediately after removing from the oven.

Like this recipe?Follow me at @onsuttonplace

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (6)

Unlike the 4 Ingredient Round Bread I shared here several years ago, this rustic bread recipe can be enjoyed fresh from the oven in just a few hours. If you give it a try, and like it, I invite you back to leave a 5 star review on the recipe. I would really appreciate it!

Until next time…

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (7)

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (2024)

FAQs

Can you use instant yeast to make bread? ›

The amounts vary from recipe to recipe, but in general, you'll need 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast for one loaf of bread. With instant yeast, you can skip the activation in water/sugar and directly add the yeast to the dry ingredients in your recipe (e.g., flour, etc.).

What is the difference between rustic bread and artisan bread? ›

Although a little vague like artisan bread, the general consensus is that rustic bread is not shaped with a pan and it is only made with simple ingredients such as just flour, water, salt, and yeast (or starter). Rustic bread is usually baked at a higher temperature which results in a thicker crust.

What not to do with instant yeast? ›

One time when you might not want to use instant and active dry yeasts interchangeably is when you're baking bread in a bread machine. Since bread machines use a higher temperature to raise dough, substituting instant for active dry yeast 1:1 may cause bread to over-rise, then collapse.

What happens if you add too much instant yeast to bread? ›

This can affect the bread by adding a "yeasty" taste if you put too much into the dough. General amounts of yeast are around 1 - 2 % of the flour, by weight. Too much yeast could cause the dough to go flat by releasing gas before the flour is ready to expand.

What happens if I use instant yeast instead of active yeast? ›

Active dry and instant yeasts can be substituted for one another at a 1:1 ratio. Active dry yeast will take about 15 to 20 minutes longer to rise than instant yeast. To encourage active dry yeast to start its activity without having to proof, just use very warm water in your dough mixture (120-130°F). What is this?

Can you use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast for bread? ›

Can I use active dry and instant yeasts interchangeably? Yes, they can be substituted for one another 1:1. We've found that active dry yeast is a little bit slower off the mark than instant, as far as dough rising goes; but in a long (2- to 3-hour) rise, the active dry yeast catches up.

Why is my rustic bread so dense? ›

A “tight crumb” aka small holes in the interior of your bread can be the result of different factors: under-fermenting, over-fermenting, and a lack of gluten development.

What is a farmhouse bread? ›

noun. British. a large white loaf, baked in a tin, with slightly curved sides and top.

How do you know when rustic bread is done? ›

HOW TO TEST BREAD FOR DONENESS
  1. CHECK THE BREAD'S INTERNAL TEMPERATURE. Insert a kitchen thermometer an inch or two into the middle of your bread and read the internal temperature. ...
  2. CHECK THE BREAD'S COLOR. ...
  3. CHECK THE BREAD'S TEXTURE. ...
  4. TAP THE BOTTOM OF THE BREAD. ...
  5. TESTING WITH A TOOTHPICK.

What is the disadvantage of instant dry yeast? ›

Additionally we want to tell you some disadvantages of using instant dry yeast that make fresh yeast your best choice: Instant dry yeast is not easily distributed in the dough. The instant dry yeast must be placed at the beginning of kneading.

Is instant yeast bad for your gut? ›

Excellent For Gut Health

Yeast has been linked to positive effects on the gut microbiota. Research suggests that certain strains of yeast, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, act as probiotics and contribute to a balanced gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.

What kills instant yeast? ›

130° F—140° F (55° C–60° C) Yeast cells die (thermal death point).

How long do you let bread rise with instant yeast? ›

Mix until a warm slurry forms, then add that to your dough. You may add a bit more flour until your desired dough consistency is reached. Do not over-knead your dough. Allow your dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30 to 45 minutes.

How much yeast do I need for 2 cups of flour? ›

For each cup of flour (125 g), that is 1.5 g of instant yeast, or 1/2 teaspoon. For salt, I add 2% of the flour weight or 2.5 g per cup or about 0.4 teaspoons of table salt if all else is unsalted.

Why is my bread not rising with instant yeast? ›

Yeast is too hot Yeast may have been dissolved in water that was too hot, or the liquid ingredients in the recipe may be too hot, causing the yeast to die. Yeast needs to be warm - not too hot, not too cold. Yeast is too cold If the other ingredients are too cold, it could cause some of the yeast to die.

Can you put instant yeast directly into dough? ›

How to Use Instant Yeast In Baking. Unlike active dry yeast, instant yeast can be added straight into the dry ingredients of a recipe. Though you can proof it beforehand, this is not a required step, and doing so will not impact the activation process.

How do you activate instant yeast for bread? ›

Sprinkle the packet of yeast or the amount of yeast granules that the recipe calls for and a pinch of sugar into the warm water. Let it sit for five to ten minutes. If it's still active, it should turn foamy. Combine with dry ingredients.

Is instant yeast the same as regular yeast? ›

Instant yeast undergoes the same culturing and drying process as active dry yeast, except it is milled into even finer granules before packaging, eliminating the need for dissolving it in water before using.

Is instant dry yeast the same as active dry yeast? ›

A Quick Primer

Dry yeast comes in two forms: active and instant. "Active" describes any dry yeast that needs to be activated prior to use, while "instant dry yeast" describes any dry yeast that's ready for use the instant you open the package.

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