Homemade Italian Bread Recipes – Focaccia, Ciabatta & More

Bread Recipes - Great Italian and various bread recipes. - ItalianCookies.com

Discover the Heart of Italian Baking

Hey there! We’re so glad you found your way to our cozy corner of the web. Here, we roll up our sleeves and dive straight into the world of artisan Italian bread recipes. Each loaf we share has its own story—and we’re here to help you bake that story into something delicious.

From cherished traditions to bold, rustic flavors, we blend the best of Italy’s baking heritage so you can create something truly special in your own kitchen. Picture this: the light, airy crumb of a fresh ciabatta or the golden, savory crunch of just-out-of-the-oven focaccia. Tempting, right?

We keep it simple on purpose. Every recipe uses honest, wholesome ingredients that feel good and taste even better. And whether you’re brand-new to baking or already a seasoned pro, our clear steps and helpful tips will guide you every step of the way.

So why wait? Bring that warm, inviting Italian bakery vibe right into your home. Let’s bake some magic—one crusty, satisfying bite at a time.

Breads

Friselle con pepe

Friselle con pepe, the savory, peppery biscuits of southern Italy, trace their roots to humble beginnings in the sun-soaked regions of Puglia, Calabria, and Campania. Originally crafted as a durable food for farmers and travelers, these twice-baked rings were designed to last – dry, crunchy, and full of bold flavor. The addition of black pepper (and sometimes fennel seeds or…

Breads

Grissini Italian Breadsticks

Grissini Italian Breadsticks, the slender and crispy breadstick beloved across Italy and beyond. Tracing their origins to the late 17th century in the region of Piedmont, specifically in the city of Turin. Legend says that they were created by a local baker at the request of a physician. This was for the young Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy, who…

Breads

Mozzarella in Carrozza

Mozzarella in Carrozza, which translates to “mozzarella in a carriage,”. A classic Italian comfort food with humble origins in southern Italy, particularly in the Campania region. Created as a way to repurpose leftover mozzarella and stale bread, turning simple ingredients into a delicious and satisfying dish. The recipe involves placing slices of mozzarella between two pieces of bread, often slightly…

Breads Desserts Holidays

Panettone

Panettone is a classic Italian Christmas cake with deep roots in Milanese tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages. Its origins are surrounded by legend, with one of the most popular stories attributing its creation to a Milanese baker named Toni, whose apprentice supposedly invented the sweet bread by accident—hence the name “pan di Toni,” or “Toni’s bread.” Historically, panettone…

Breads

Italian Bread

The origins of Italian bread date back to ancient times, with roots that stretch to the Roman Empire. Bread has been a dietary staple for people across all social classes. Early breadmaking became influenced by the availability of local grains and regional climates, leading to a diverse array of bread styles throughout the country. In medieval Italy, communal ovens became…

Breads

Ciabatta Bread

Ciabatta bread is a relatively modern Italian bread that was created in the early 1980s by a baker named Arnaldo Cavallari in the Veneto region. Its invention was a response to the popularity of French baguettes and aimed to provide Italians with a similarly light, airy bread suitable for sandwiches. The name “ciabatta,” which means “slipper” in Italian, refers to…

Breads

Focaccia

Focaccia bread has ancient roots that trace back to the Etruscans and early Romans, making it one of Italy’s oldest bread varieties. Originally cooked on a hearth or hot stone, focaccia—derived from the Latin word focus, meaning hearth—was a simple flatbread made with flour, water, and olive oil. It was often used as a base for meals or as an…

Not the Whole List: Just the Best Breads to Begin

I know this isn’t a full list of all the incredible breads Italy has to offer, just a handful of favorites to get you started on your Italian baking journey. I hope these recipes bring a little taste of Italy to your kitchen.