Easy Spanish Bread Recipe [Pitufo Bread]

Aren’t you tired of always eating the same style of bread? Or spending hours preparing artisan bread and then having a giant block of bread that never ends?

Fortunately, there is a Spanish bread recipe that comes to the rescue. This is the famous Pitufo (smurf) bread recipe, which we will tell you about its peculiar name later on.

Not only is it the best bread, but it is also super easy to make and it is one of the best recipes to start making homemade bread if you have never done it before. 

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In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this Spanish bread recipe so keep reading.

Background of the Dish

If you are looking for what to eat in Malaga, you will undoubtedly come across the famous Pitufo bread, which gets its name from none other than the Smurfs (the cartoon with the friendly little blue creatures).

This is because in the mid-1900s a baker in Malaga was looking to make a small bread roll, to make it more suitable for children. 

Also, the Smurfs already existed, so the name was adopted almost immediately.

This recipe became one of the most chosen loaves of bread in Spain, not only by children but also by adults. 

Everyone noticed how practical it was to have a small bread without the need to buy a giant one.

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Things You’ll Need for Spanish Bread Recipe – Pitufo

To make this Spanish bread recipe you only need yeast, flour, water, oil, and a pinch of salt. 

Also, prepare your arms to knead (or use a machine and save yourself the exercise). 

If you want to try other Spanish recipes we recommend the chicken empanada or the Spanish Migas.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (400 gr) bread flour
• 1 cup (250 ml) lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 10ml olive oil
• Pinch of salt

How to Make Spanish Bread Recipe – Pitufo – Step by Step Guide

1. To make this Spanish bread recipe you have to put the dry yeast in warm water (not in all the water in this recipe, just a little more after the yeast is covered) until it activates (foams or bubbles at the top). If this doesn’t happen after 10 minutes, you have to repeat it because it means that your yeast was bad.

2. The next step in this easy rustic white bread recipe is to put all the ingredients in a large bowl and knead for 5 minutes. You can also take a large clean tray (or your clean countertop), make a crown with the flour, put the salt on the edge, and in the center pour the oil and the yeast water mixture, in addition to the rest of the water (also you will have to knead for 5 minutes).

3. Then let stand for 10 minutes. Repeat this process two more times. Transfer the dough to a floured tray or an allowance and give a few laps until it forms a ball.

4. Cut the dough into portions of about 110 grams and form balls with them. In the same way, let the rustic white bread rest for an hour in a warm place.

5. Now take each ball and form the bars, rolling on themselves and sealing with the palm of your hand at the end. Roll on the table with both hands on them to finish shaping them and place them on a floured kitchen cloth. Put plastic wrap on top so they don’t dry out and wait 45 minutes.

6. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 220°C.

7. The final step in this artisan bread recipe is to take the pitufo bread, place it in a baking tray lined with parchment paper, make the cuts with a knife on the top and bake for 10 minutes at 220°C. Then for another 25 minutes at 190°C.

8. After that time the Bread rolls should be ready. Take them out of the oven and wait for them to warm up or cool down before serving.

Substitution of Ingredients

For this round bread recipe, there are not many changes in the ingredients that you can make since there are basically 4 main ingredients: yeast, flour, water, and oil. 

Anyway, there is a bit of room for improvisation.

You can make this rustic loaf recipe using gluten-free flour. In that case, you will have to add a little more oil and make sure that the yeast is also gluten-free.

You can make the bread dough with fresh yeast instead of dry. You would have to use 15g of fresh yeast for this recipe. 

Or you can also buy flour that comes already prepared to make bread.

If you don’t plan to use them as a breakfast recipe, you can also add other seasonings or herbs. 

For example, you can add dried parsley and garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped cooked onion, chopped ham pieces, etc.

Tips on Serving Spanish Bread Recipe – Pitufo

If you make this recipe then you will have the star ingredient for the perfect Spanish breakfast.

However, it is one of the best bakery recipes, because you can serve it as a sweet or savory side dish.

For example, it can be breakfast if you spread cream cheese or jam on top. It can be somewhat salty if you use it as the bread for your serranito sandwich, or to accompany a good Andalusian gazpacho.

This Spanish bread is noble so serve it however you want, once you try it you will want to always have pitufos for all your meals.

How to Store Spanish Bread Recipe

Pitufo bread is one of the best breakfast foods, mainly because you can store it however you want. 

If you follow this Spanish bread recipe step by step, you can store it at room temperature or in the freezer.

To store rustic bread at room temperature, just cover it with a clean kitchen towel, or put it in a clean plastic bag to prevent it from drying out too quickly and hardening. 

If it hardens you can heat it in the oven or make toast (or the classic Spanish torrijas recipe).

This Spanish bread can also be frozen. You just have to let it come to room temperature, store it covered with a plastic bag or plastic wrap, and freeze it for up to 30 days.

You should defrost it in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

Recipe Card: Spanish Bread Recipe

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