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A rustic, artisan-style loaf of homemade tomato basil bread cooling on a wooden cutting board, with fresh basil leaves nearby.

Savory Tomato Basil Bread (That's Impossibly Easy to Make)

An incredibly easy recipe for homemade Savory Tomato Basil Bread. This artisan-style loaf is packed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan, featuring a soft, chewy interior and a perfect golden crust. A must-try for bread lovers!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3.5 cups All-Purpose Flour plus more for dusting
  • 2.25 tsp Instant Yeast 1 standard packet
  • 1 tsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1.5 tsp Salt
  • 1.25 cups Warm Water around 110°F or 43°C
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 0.5 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil drained and finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup Fresh Basil loosely packed, chiffonade
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 Wire cooling rack

Instructions
 

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
  3. Form Dough: Add olive oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Add Flavorings: Gently fold in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese until just combined.
  5. Knead: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  7. Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  9. Cool: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Steam Tip: For an extra crispy crust, place a small oven-safe pan with hot water on the bottom rack of the oven during baking.
Storage: Store cooled bread in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid the refrigerator.
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