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Recipe Index Ā» Course Ā» Appetizers Ā» Crockpot Rosemary & Olive Oil Bread

Crockpot Rosemary & Olive Oil Bread

Published by Meaghan on October 19, 2020 | last updated on February 26, 2022.

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Haven’t baked bread from scratch before? Put your slow cooker to work, and whip up a loaf of this easy crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread. It’s simple, yet deeply flavorful. Crusty on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside- it’s perfect served with a simple schmear of butter or with seasoned dipping oils on the side.

a loaf of crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread shown sliced on a white platter with fresh herbs on the side

During the summer months, we will do anything to not have to turn on the oven! 

The extra heat is one thing we just do not need in the house when the temperature outside is in the 100’s!

So it was a total game changer when I learned how to bake a simple, rustic style loaf of bread in the bowl of my slow cooker.

It was so, so good.

Even once the heat’s gone, and the colder weather’s moved in- I still find myself reluctant to shift gears and go back to my oven.

That’s how good this rosemary & olive oil bread is!

This crock pot bread also comes in particularly handy for holidays, dinner parties, or anytime you need to free up oven space! 

Can You Bake Bread In A Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can cook just about anything in a crock pot these days, but bread? 

Absolutely!

This recipe is super simple to make too.

Honestly? I actually often prefer it over most oven-baked breads these days.

Baking the bread in the crock pot keeps all of the moisture inside the bread ensuring it’s nice and fluffy, while still giving it a crisp outer crust.

While it is fully cooked after the two hours and pleasantly crisp, the outside will still be a bit pale.

I just pop it onto a baking sheet and set it under the broiler for a minute to give it that perfect toasty finish.

Ingredients Needed

Starting is much like any other bread recipe, gather your ingredients.

For this slow cooker version, you need:

  • flour – No special flour is required for this recipe, plain old all purpose flour will do just fine.
  • yeast – You’ll need dry active yeast, the kind that needs to be activated. Instant yeast will not work.
  • water – Warm, but not hot and definitely not cold.
  • dried rosemary
  • olive oil – Extra virgin is the preferred variety, but regular olive oil will make an acceptable substitute.
  • sugar
  • salt

That’s it as far as the ingredients go. An easy list, most of which you probably have on hand in your pantry or can easily find at any local grocery store.

Making The Dough

Some bread doughs can be complicated to bring together, but this one isn’t one of them.

So don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back from trying this recipe!

To start, add the water, yeast, and sugar to a mixing bow and stir them to combine.

Let this mixture rest for 10 minutes while the yeast ‘proofs’.

a loaf of crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread shown sliced on a white platter with fresh herbs on the side

How To Tell If Your Yeast Has Successfully Proofed

While you probably don’t want to wait to test it until you’re actively in the middle of a recipe, proofing yeast is a good test of if it’s alive or not.

Alive? Yes, alive.

It’s a single-celled organism that reproduces when given food and warmth.

This rapid reproduction is what helps bread dough rise (leavening), and makes it light & fluffy on the inside when baked.

You want the yeast mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes. I recommend waiting closer to 10.

This mixture will form a creamy froth on top, and you should actually begin to see bubbles pop.

Now you’re ready to proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Add the flour, half the salt, rosemary, and olive oil to a large mixing bowl. Stir them together until completely incorporated.

The dough may be stiff, and hard to stir even with a sturdy wooden spoon.

That’s ok, get in there with clean hands and work it together and around until completely combined.

Lightly grease the inside of another large bowl.

You can use non stick cooking spray, or an additional tablespoon of olive oil.

Make sure to coat the bowl evenly.

This ensures that as it rises, no bits of dough will get stuck to any un-greased parts of the bowl.

Place your dough ball in the center of the prepared bowl.

Cover the dough bowl with a kitchen towel/dish cloth, and set the bowl in a warm, draft free area.

I actually like to use my oven (turned OFF) for this step, especially in the colder months.

Let the dough rise, undisturbed, for an hour.

How To Keep My Dough From Falling

Too dry or too wet dough is always at risk for falling during rise times.

Luckily, if you follow the recipe that shouldn’t be an issue.

However, jarring movements in the kitchen that cause the dough to shake can, and most likely, will cause the dough to fall especially at it’s peak rise.

This is another reason I swear by sticking my rising dough in my oven, where it’s a tad more insulated.

I also warn my kids off running through or anywhere near my kitchen, if possible, when bread’s rising. 

Sometimes I’m more successful at that than others, luckily this dough’s pretty hardy- even during this process.

ball of crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread dough shown in the bowl of a parchment paper lined slow cooker

When the hour has passed, transfer the dough ball to a clean lightly-floured surface.

Lightly flour your hands too, and roll it gently to shape into a loaf/ball that resembles a traditional loaf.

Let the dough rest, and rise for another 20 minutes.

Line the crockpot with two separate pieces of parchment paper, each facing a different way and coming up and over the outer edges.

Basically so the whole inner bowl is covered with a thin layer of parchment paper.

Gently transfer the dough ball to the center of the crockpot, and sprinkle the remaining salt & rosemary evenly out overtop.

Drape a dry dish cloth, or a layer of paper towels out over the top of the crockpot, and then cover with the lid which will secure them in place.

This will help capture any condensation, preventing it from falling onto the bread- ensuring a crusty (not soggy) result.

Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step, small as it may seem.

Cook the bread on high for 2 hours.

After the two hours, remove your dough from the crockpot. This is most easily, and safely, done by lifting it out by the parchment paper handily draped over the outer edges.

You can let the bread rest, and once cooled- slice it using a serrated bread knife to serve.

a loaf of crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread shown sliced on a white platter with fresh herbs on the side

Getting A Crispier Crust

While your loaf of rosemary & olive oil bread is done, and delicious, at this point- it will still be fairly pale.

I like to take one extra step to get that crunchy, golden brown crust I love.

Transfer the loaf of cooked bread to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Place it in the oven under the broiler for 3- 5 minutes, just until that crunchier darker crust is achieved. 

Watch the bread carefully during this time to prevent over-browning, or burning. Leaving the oven door cracked will help monitor, along with staying close by.

To Serve

Let the bread cool almost completely, just until slightly warm to the touch before slicing and serving.

This will help with more uniform, sturdy slices.

The bread can be served as is, or with softened butter for spreading.

Also, an extra drizzle of olive oil or some seasoned dipping oil on the side makes an excellent choice!

Homemade bread doesn’t have to be hard, not even for a novice baker.

Take your slow cooker to new heights with a batch of our crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread. 

It’s good all by itself, and an excellent addition to any dinner.

Whether it’s just for the family, or for guests- it will impress.

sliced crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread shown buttered and served on a white platter

Other Easy Homemade Bread Recipes To Try

  • Dill Pickle Bread
  • Fool Proof French Baguettes
  • Crescent Rolls

If you’ve tried this CROCKPOT ROSEMARY & OLIVE OIL BREAD, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

 
sliced crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread shown buttered and served on a white platter

Crockpot Rosemary & Olive Oil Bread

Haven't baked bread from scratch before? Put your slow cooker to work, and whip up a loaf of this easy crockpot rosemary & olive oil bread. It's simple, yet deeply flavorful. Crusty on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside- it's perfect served with a simple schmear of butter or with seasoned dipping oils on the side.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Bread, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Rise Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Parchment paper
  • Paper towels or a clean dishcloth

Ingredients

  • 3½ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 packet dry active yeast 2¼ teaspoons
  • 1¼ cups warm water
  • 4 tsp dried rosemary divided
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt divided
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix together the water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 10 minutes. The mixture should become bubbly.
  • Stir in half of the salt (1/2 teaspoon), half of the rosemary, the 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and all of the flour. Mix until fully combined. Work it together with your hands, if necessary.
  • Lightly grease a large bowl and place the dough in. Cover it with a kitchen towel/ dish cloth and leave the dough in a warm, draft-free area. Let it sit and rise for 1 hour.
  • Remove the dough from the bowl and gently roll it into a ball on a floured surface. Let it sit for another 20 minutes.
  • Set the crock pot to high. Line the crock pot with two pieces of parchment paper, leaving at least 2 inches hanging out of each side of the crock pot. Place the dough in the crock pot and sprinkle it with the remaining salt and rosemary.
  • Drape paper towels or dish cloth over the top of the crock pot and then place the lid on. This should capture any moisture that would sit on the lid and prevent it from dripping back onto your bread.
  • Cook the bread for 2 hours, and remove from the crock pot. It will most likely still be a bit pale on the outside. It tastes great this way, but I like to put mine on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put it under the broiler for a quick 3 - 5 minutes to get a crunchier, darker crust.
  • Let cool before slicing. Serve with extra olive oil drizzled on top or with dipping oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @4sonsrus or tag #4sonsrus!

recipe originally posted June 9, 2014

recipe adapted from Host The Toast

 

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4sonsrus about us graphic

Hi! I’m Meaghan

Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas. I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Lori says

    June 9, 2014 at 11:24 am

    I can’t believe you were able to make this in a crockpot! That’s fantastic! Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • 4 Sons 'R' Us says

      June 14, 2014 at 5:07 pm

      I never cease to be amazed at all the things my crockpot can do. Bread being our latest joint venture.

      Reply
  2. Joanna says

    June 9, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Crockpot bread?!?! Whhhaaaa??!?! Sounds amazing and so simple!! BTW, you have something waiting for you at @https://foodgurly.com/2014/06/09/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/ , go check it out!! šŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • 4 Sons 'R' Us says

      June 14, 2014 at 5:12 pm

      Isn’t the whole idea just awesome?! Also,thank you again so much for the award!!

      Reply
  3. Joanna says

    June 9, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    @ https://foodgurly.com/2014/06/09/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/

    Reply
  4. Joanna says

    June 9, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    There we go! šŸ˜‰

    Reply
  5. Audrey says

    June 9, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    I love rosemary, what a fun way to use it in bread! I’ve been wanting to make olive bread or cake, this will fulfill two things on my “to do” list!

    Reply
    • 4 Sons 'R' Us says

      June 14, 2014 at 5:13 pm

      Let me know if you give it a try! This bread is fully infused with the herb and it’s wonderful spread with some butter, or eaten with some Italian-style dipping sauce.

      Reply
  6. apuginthekitchen says

    June 9, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Who would have known, crock pot bread. Love how easy this is and great to crisp it in the oven for a few minutes. Looks perfect.

    Reply
  7. mommasangelbaby says

    June 9, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    AMAZING!! I’m so glad I found you and this recipe on Recipe Sharing Mondays! I LOVE the slow cooker, especially during the Summer when I DON’T want to turn on my oven. I’m looking forward to trying this. I’m also hoping you will stop by my recipe link party, The Yuck Stops Here to share this yummy recipe as well as any others you may have. You can find this week’s party anytime after tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 8pm ET at https://mommasangelbaby.com/?p=2628. Hope to see you there! HUGS

    Reply
  8. Taylor-Made Ranch Homestead says

    June 10, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    OMGoodness – I love all things rosemary, and I have a very special relationship with my slow cooker during the summer months! Thanks for sharing! (visiting from the Wonderful Wednesday hop)

    ~Taylor-Made Ranch~
    Wolfe City, Texas

    Reply
  9. Sinfully Tempting says

    June 13, 2014 at 11:20 am

    I have never even attempted to make bread in my crockpot. That’s about to change! Thanks so much for sharing this, happy Fiesta Friday! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  10. acasadisimi says

    June 13, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    looks delicious! thanks for sharing! greetings from Italy^
    simi

    Reply
  11. Fae's Twist & Tango says

    June 13, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    Happy Fiesta Friday #20, Meaghan! I never knew one can bake a bread in a crackpot. Sounds wonderful for the party! Thank you and Yum! šŸ˜›

    Reply
  12. chefjulianna says

    June 14, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Wow, how cool is that? I just happen to have a crockpot and I would love to try your recipe!

    Reply
    • 4 Sons 'R' Us says

      June 14, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      Isn’t it?! My crockpot & I have a very special bond, especially in the summer. And, of course, we love bread so this was a dream come true for me. Let me know if you try it!

      Reply
  13. apuginthekitchen says

    June 14, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    Incredible!! Thanks for bringing this delicious crock pot bread, ahhhhmazing!!

    Reply
  14. Evelyn @ My Turn for us says

    June 15, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Great idea!! I am totally pinning and sharing on FB later this evening!!

    Hugs from Freedom Fridays

    Reply
  15. CJ Huang says

    June 16, 2014 at 7:26 am

    What a great way to enjoy fresh “baked” bread without heating up the oven in this hot weather. šŸ™‚ Stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds if you get a chance (open until Wednesday midnight)!

    Reply
  16. cookingwithauntjuju.com says

    June 17, 2014 at 11:04 am

    Bread in a crockpot – I love using my bread machine but have never tried it this way. Love the rosemary in it šŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. Miz Helen says

    June 17, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    We will just love this Bread, it looks fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
  18. becky says

    April 18, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    This is so easy and so good!

    Reply

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Welcome to 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

Hi! I’m Meaghan. Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas.

I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot.

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