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.

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (3)

  • 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.

Rustic Bread Recipe with Instant Yeast (4)

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

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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

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 is the ratio of instant yeast to flour for bread? ›

1.4% of the weight of flour you are using (for example, 14g yeast per 1kg of flour) fast-acting yeast. 1% for dried yeast. 2% for fresh yeast.

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

If a recipe using instant yeast calls for the dough to “double in size, about 1 hour,” you may want to mentally add 15 to 20 minutes to this time if you're using active dry yeast.

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.

Do I need to let bread dough rise if I use instant yeast? ›

Some recipes call for a “double rise” or letting the dough rise in two different phases. With instant yeast, you typically will only need to let it rise once. Instant Yeast will raise a loaf in a hurry and may yield a more light and airy bread.

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.

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.

How much instant yeast per loaf? ›

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.

Can you add instant yeast directly to flour? ›

Instant yeast can be added directly to flour and other dry ingredients - there is no need to 'proof' the yeast in warm water first (although it won't hurt the yeast if you do 'proof' it).

Does instant yeast need to rise twice? ›

Rapid-rise yeast has two time-saving advantages over active dry yeast: It does not need to be dissolved in water before mixing, and it requires only one rise after shaping. Simply add the dry yeast to the flour mixture. Heat the liquid ingredients to 120°-130° (rather than 110°-115° for dissolving active dry yeast).

Can I leave dough out overnight to rise? ›

Yes! If a recipe calls for proofing bread dough overnight in the refrigerator, it can be proofed on the counter at a warmer temperature for a shorter period. Rather than placing the dough in the refrigerator overnight, leave it covered on the counter for 1 to 4 hours until it's ready to bake.

Can I leave bread to rise overnight? ›

When you put your dough in the fridge it slows the yeast activity down. It takes ten times longer for dough to rise in the fridge than it does at room temperature. This means you can put your dough in the fridge overnight or whilst you are at work and come back to it when you are ready.

What kills instant yeast? ›

Too Hot to Survive. Regardless of the type of yeast you use, if your water reaches temperatures of 120°F or more, the yeast will begin to die off. Once water temps reach 140°F or higher, that is the point where the yeast will be completely killed off.

What kills yeast in bread? ›

Ultimately, if you've waited for a bit and your dough isn't rising and you think your yeast is dead, don't blame the salt: Yeast can lose its effectiveness if it's improperly stored, or if it's combined with water that's too hot (over 139°F).

What happens if you use instant yeast instead of active dry 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?

What happens if you accidentally add too much yeast? ›

For example, if there is too much yeast, the bread may collapse during baking due to the release of too much gas. Not enough yeast will result in a dense loaf of bread. The type of yeast also determines how quickly the bread will rise. Active dry yeast and fresh yeast are commonly used in baking.

Does adding more yeast make bread fluffier? ›

Perfect Your Yeast Levels

Carbon dioxide is responsible for all the bubbles that make holes in bread, making it lighter and fluffier. Because gas is created as a result of yeast growth, the more the yeast grows, the more gas in the dough and the more light and airy your bread loaf will be.

Can too much yeast cause bread to collapse? ›

Too much yeast will cause the bread to rise too fast and become too open, leading to collapse. Your recipe looks like the right amount.

Will adding more yeast make bread rise more? ›

The more yeast, the more gas is produced and the more quickly your dough rises. You may therefore think it best to add more yeast if you'd like to get your dough to rise as quickly as possible. However, whilst your dough may rise quickly, the dough will likely have less flavour and may even taste slightly of yeast.

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