Homemade Muffaletta Bread

This post may contain affiliate links, please visit our privacy policy for details.

If there ever was a bread that you need to bake, it should be this homemade Muffaletta Bread! There’s nothing better than a simple rustic italian-style loaf. Every bite of this soft-crusted white bread may be simple, but it’s truly FULL of flavor thanks to the lightly toasted sesame seeds on top! SO. GOOD. Oh, and the best part? This recipe requires minimal ingredients and is truly the perfect sandwich bread for any and all of your needs!

About The Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of bread baking in the oven, you know? It can truly cure any mid-week blues. Especially when it’s something as simple (and delicious) as this muffaletta bread! And, true enough, this is generally a sandwich, but we thought it would be fun to share our take on the bread that the sandwich is generally made on!

If you don’t know, my mom absolutely adores anything and everything to do with bread baking. So, with our Mardi Gras theme going, she said that a muffaletta seemed like the perfect challenge.

The first thing we did was a LOT of research. Neither of us had ever really had a muffaletta before, but we wanted to do it right. What we found out is that muffaletta sandwiches are generally served on a rustic italian loaf. So, while this SOUNDS simple, it required a bit of testing to really make the perfect bread.

In the end, we wound up with a bread that is soft and FULL of flavor, but not too much to overpower any delicious sandwiches you might be making with it.

But, how?

Well, we figured out that, instead of trying to rush this recipe, if you make a biga (which is a really simple pre-fermented dough that you make the night before and stir into your final dough), it creates a wonderful depth of flavor in what would just be a plain and ordinary white bread.

It’s a very simple, very rustic, but so delicious loaf that works for any kind of sandwich you can dream up!

What is a Muffaletta?

Muffaletta is a famous sandwich in New Orleans that originated at Central Grocery! It’s generally filled with charcuterie (cured meats like ham or salami), cheeses, and an olive salad. Though, this recipe is our take on the bread that the sandwich generally served on!

Why You Will Love This Bread

• This recipe is SUPER simple and requires minimal ingredients.
• Soft, fluffy, and works GREAT for sandwiches (or snacking)!
• Naturally vegan.
• Freezes really well!

Equipment Needed

• Stand Mixer
• Glass Bowls
• Bread Proofer (optional)
• Bench Scraper
• Banneton
• Baking Stone
• Pizza Peel

Ingredients

(Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

For The Biga:

• Bread Flour
• Water
• Instant Yeast

For The Bread:

• Biga
• Bread Flour
• Water
• Kosher Salt
• Sesame Seeds

How To Make Muffaletta Bread

Step 1: Make the biga

In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, water, and yeast. Knead until the dough comes together and starts to smooth out, about 4-5 minutes.

Let rise at cool room temperature overnight.

Step 2: Make the dough and proof

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour, salt, water, and biga. Stir to combine. Mix on low speed for 3-4 minutes. Increase speed to medium and knead for 7-8 minutes, until dough is smooth.

Turn out into greased prepared bowl. Let rise at warm room temperature for 1 ½ – 2 hours, until nearly doubled in bulk.

Step 3: Shape and proof

When dough is proofed, turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Fold the bottom third of the dough up toward the top. Then, fold in the right and left corners. Finally, fold the top down to create a round. Pinch to seal.

Turn dough over and, using a bench knife and your hand, pull the dough into a tight round.

Place in banneton and let rise at warm room temperature for 1 ½ – 2 hours, or until doubled in bulk.

Step 4: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake

When dough is risen, turn out onto a piece of parchment paper. Mist or lightly brush the top with water. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees F. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until done.

What To Make With This Bread

The first answer is, of course, the traditional muffaletta sandwich! But this bread also works for any other kind of sandwich you like. From chicken clubs to ham sandwiches! The possibilities are endless and, just to be honest, this bread tastes great served alongside a Charcuterie Board!

How To Store

Once this bread is baked and cooled, you can store it a few different ways! In a zip top bag and left at room temperatures for about 1 week, in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or wrapped with aluminum foil and kept in the freezer for up to 3 months!

Expert Tips

• Be sure to read through all the directions before beginning this recipe.
• Use glass bowls for the proofing.
• If you don’t have a proofing box and you think your room temperature is too warm, you can let the dough rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours and then put it in the refrigerator overnight.
• When you’re ready to make the bread, let the biga sit out for about an hour at room temperature to take the chill off the dough before using.
• When kneading dough, aim for an internal dough temperature of 78 degrees F.
• Rice flour works the best to flour your banneton to prevent sticking.
• If you are using a proofing box with a water tray, you will not need to cover the dough to proof it.
• Remember to preheat either the dutch oven or baking stone!
• Bread should be 210 degrees when done baking.

When you make this Homemade Muffaletta Bread, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

– Still Hungry? –

Here are a few recipes may like!