9 Easy Crusty Bread Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Written by Sarah in Other's

When the chaos of a busy week hits, the last thing you want is to fuss over complicated meals. These 9 easy crusty bread recipes are perfect for adding comfort and flavor to your weeknight dinners without consuming all your time. You can whip them up quickly, and they pair wonderfully with all kinds of dishes, making your weeknights feel a little bit more special.

1. Rustic No-Knead Bread

A simple bread that requires minimal effort.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

Process:

  1. Mix the flour, yeast, and salt in a bowl. Add water and stir until well combined.
  2. Cover and let it rise for 12–18 hours at room temperature.
  3. Shape into a loaf, let rise for another hour, and bake at 450°F (232°C) for 30 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Add herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor!

2. Quick Focaccia

A delightful bread perfect for dipping.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Olive oil

Process:

  1. Mix all ingredients and knead for a few minutes until smooth.
  2. Spread into a greased baking dish, make dimples with your fingers, and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Let rise for 30 minutes and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Top with cherry tomatoes or olives before baking.

3. Herb-Crusted Breadsticks

Perfect for snacking or as a dinner sidekick.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon dried herbs (like oregano or basil)

Process:

  1. Combine ingredients and knead into a dough. Let it rise for an hour.
  2. Roll into sticks and place on a baking tray.
  3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Wrap with prosciutto before baking for a savory twist.

4. Cheesy Garlic Bread

Ideal for pairing with soups and salads.

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf of crusty bread
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (like mozzarella)

Process:

  1. Mix butter and garlic, then spread on the sliced bread.
  2. Top with cheese and wrap in foil.
  3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until melted.

Make it Unique:
Add chili flakes for a kick!

5. Olive Oil Bread

A fragrant bread perfect for dipping.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Process:

  1. Blend all ingredients and knead until smooth.
  2. Let rise for an hour, shape into a loaf, and place in a baking dish.
  3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 30 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Mix in chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes.

6. Sweet Potato Artisan Bread

A nutritious twist on classic bread.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sweet potato (mashed)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Process:

  1. Combine ingredients to form a dough and knead for 5 minutes.
  2. Let rise for an hour and shape it into a round loaf.
  3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Add nuts or seeds for crunch!

7. Spinach and Feta Bread

A savory option for a tasty side.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup spinach (chopped)
  • ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)

Process:

  1. Mix flour, yeast, and water, then fold in spinach and feta.
  2. Let rise for an hour, shape into a loaf, and transfer to a baking pan.
  3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Use fresh herbs like dill for added flavor.

8. Rye Bread

Hearty and full of flavor—perfect for sandwiches.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rye flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Process:

  1. Mix flours, yeast, salt, and water to form a dough.
  2. Knead for 5 minutes and let rise for 1 hour.
  3. Shape into a loaf and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Add caraway seeds for that authentic rye flavor.

9. Herb Butter Baguette

An aromatic addition to any meal!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Herb butter (1 stick softened butter mixed with herbs)

Process:

  1. Combine flour, yeast, and salt, then mix in water to form a dough.
  2. Let rise for an hour, shape into a baguette, and then let rest for another 30 minutes.
  3. Bake at 450°F (232°C) for 20 minutes, then spread with herb butter immediately after.

Make it Unique:
Try adding crushed garlic to the herb butter for an extra flavor punch!

Take a break from the weekday hustle and dive into these crusty bread recipes. Each offers an easy, satisfying way to enhance your family meals or treat yourself after a long day. So roll up your sleeves and get baking!

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