Italian Bread Bowls

4.5
(633)

This bread bowl recipe makes eight little bread bowls that are perfect for serving up your favorite winter soups. When I have time to bake them, I like to fill them with a thick, hearty potato soup. They can be frozen for up to one month if desired.

164
high angle looking at an Italian bread bowl
164
164
164
Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 bowls
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

  • 2 ½ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

  • 1 tablespoon cornmeal

  • 7 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 large egg white

  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients gathered to make Italian bread bowls

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Dissolve yeast in 2 1/2 cups warm water in a large bowl. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

    yeast dissolved in a bowl of warm water

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Meanwhile, lightly grease a large bowl. Lightly grease two baking sheets and dust with cornmeal. Set aside.

  4. Add 4 cups flour, oil, and salt to yeast mixture; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined after each addition.

    flour, oil, and salt mixed together with yeast mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. When dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Place dough into the greased bowl and turn until coated. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.

    dough kneaded and placed in a greased bowl to double in size

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Punch dough down and divide into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 4-inch round loaf; place four loaves onto each prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 35 minutes.

    dough divided and rolled into round loaves

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  8. Whisk egg white and 1 tablespoon water together in a small bowl. Brush 1/2 of the egg wash over loaves.

    loaves brushed with egg wash

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Brush loaves again with remaining egg wash and continue to bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 more minutes. Cool on wire racks.

    loaves baked and then brushed with egg wash

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Make bread bowls by cutting a 1/2-inch thick slice from the top of each loaf. Scoop out bread in the center, leaving a 3/4-inch thick shell.

    bread scooped out from inside of the loaves

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Fill bread bowls with hot soup and serve immediately.

    bread bowls filled with soup

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

869 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

439 Calories
5g Fat
85g Carbs
13g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 439
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Sodium 594mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 85g 31%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 13g 25%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 5mg 30%
Potassium 161mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.