Italian Restaurant–Style Bread

Warm, soft, and brushed with buttery goodness, this Italian restaurant chain has a delicious style of bread that is the kind of loaf everyone reaches for first at the table.

If you’ve ever wished you could recreate that famous Italian bread served at popular restaurants, this homemade version delivers the same irresistible texture and flavor, without leaving your kitchen.

Made with simple ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, butter, sugar, and salt, this bread is surprisingly easy to make from scratch.

The dough comes together quickly, rises beautifully, and bakes into a tender, fluffy loaf with a lightly golden crust, and served and is often served with Italian dipping oil and herbs.

Whether served with pasta, soups, or enjoyed warm with butter, this classic Italian table bread tastes just like the kind you’d expect from your favorite Italian dining experience.

Why You Will Love This Italian Restaurant–Style Bread Recipe

• Soft, fluffy texture with a tender crumb
• Classic Italian bakery flavor
• Easy to make, even for beginners
• Uses pantry staples you already have
• Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
• Perfect for dipping oils
• Customizable with herbs, cheese, or garlic

Tips for Making Classic Holiday Stuffing

• Warm liquids matter: Milk should be warm, not hot, to activate yeast properly
• Don’t over-flour: Too much flour can make bread dense. Add flour gradually
• Knead until smooth: Dough should be soft and elastic, not sticky
• Give it time to rise: A warm, draft-free spot helps the dough rise beautifully
• Brush with olive oil: Brushing olive oil on top adds flavor and crunch

Mix-ins:

1. Garlic butter: Mix minced garlic into melted butter
2. Italian herbs: Rosemary, oregano, basil, or thyme
3. Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, or asiago
4. Olives: Chopped black or kalamata olives
5. Seeds: Sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top
6. Sweet version: Add honey or cinnamon sugar for a twist

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Italian, American

Yield: 20

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Italian Restaurant–Style Bread

This is a copycat bread recipe from a popular Italian restaurant chain, often served with dipping oil.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinInactive time: 1 H & 30 MTotal time: 2 H & 10 M

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water, it should read 110 degrees using an instant-read thermometer
• 1/2 cup warm milk (same 110 degrees)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 package)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, almost melted and very soft
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing before baking or use olive oil spray
• Dipping Oil
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (crushed)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring the milk and water to 110 degrees in the microwave it takes around 25 seconds. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the temperature.
2. The baking temperature for the oven should be at 400 degrees preheated oven, and two pans need to be greased, as this will make two 9-inch loaves.
3. Add the 110 temperature (checked by an instant-read thermometer) of milk and water into a large heavy-duty mixing bowl.
4. Add the yeast and the milk mixture to the yeast and let it set for 10 minutes.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, salt, and butter to the milk mixture.
6. Place on medium speed and add 1 cup of flour at a time until all 3 cups of AP flour are evenly blended, around 3 to 4 minutes.
7. On a floured board, knead until smooth for around 5 minutes.
8. Place in an oil spray bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise until doubled in size.
9. Punch down and add to two prepared 9-inch loaf pans.
10. Brush with oil and let rise again until it reaches the top of each loaf pan.
11. Bake until golden brown with a pan of water in on a different rack in the oven; this allows the crust to get crispy and keeps it from sinking. (around 25 minutes at 400 degrees).
12. Bread can be frozen up to 3 months. Best served fresh the first day, and makes fantastic toast!
13. Dipping Oil Directions
14. Place all the herbs and seasoning in a small shallow bowl and mix evenly together.
15. Pour oil in the dish.
16. Dip the bread into the oil with seasoning and herbs when serving.

Notes

Mix-ins:

1. Garlic butter: Mix minced garlic into melted butter
2. Italian herbs: Rosemary, oregano, basil, or thyme
3. Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, or asiago
4. Olives: Chopped black or kalamata olives
5. Seeds: Sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top
6. Sweet version: Add honey or cinnamon sugar for a twist

Tips for Making Classic Holiday Stuffing

• Warm liquids matter: Milk should be warm, not hot, to activate yeast properly
• Don’t over-flour: Too much flour can make bread dense. Add flour gradually
• Knead until smooth: Dough should be soft and elastic, not sticky
• Give it time to rise: A warm, draft-free spot helps the dough rise beautifully
• Brush with olive oil: Brushing olive oil on top adds flavor and crunch

Nutrition Facts

Calories

141

Fat (grams)

8 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2 g

Carbs (grams)

16 g

Fiber (grams)

1 g

Net carbs

15 g

Sugar (grams)

1 g

Protein (grams)

3 g

Sodium (milligrams)

160 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

4 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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