If you love the smell of warm, herby bread baking in your kitchen but want an easy, calm way to make it, this Instant Pot rosemary bread is perfect for you. The first time I made it, the scent of rosemary filled the whole house, and the process felt effortless.
This recipe is simple, comforting, and gives you a homemade loaf that tastes rustic and fresh with very little work.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe works because the Instant Pot creates the perfect warm place for the dough to rise. Using the Yogurt setting ensures the yeast can do its job slowly and evenly, giving the bread a soft inside and great flavor. You don’t need special equipment or bread-making skills - just a bowl, a pan, and your Instant Pot.
The rosemary and olive oil add a deep, earthy aroma and a delicate, savory taste. When baked at high heat, the crust becomes beautifully crisp while the center stays tender. It’s the kind of bread that feels bakery-quality but is actually very easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Active dry yeast - Helps the dough rise. Instant yeast can be used too.
Warm water - Activates the yeast and brings the dough together.
Flour - Forms the structure of the bread. All-purpose or bread flour both work.
Fresh rosemary - Gives the loaf its wonderful herbal aroma; dried rosemary works too.
Salt - Balances the flavor and enhances the rosemary.
Tips
- Let the yeast sit for the full 10 minutes so it becomes bubbly and active.
- Use a well-oiled pan so the dough doesn’t stick after rising.
- If the dough feels too sticky, dust your hands with flour when shaping it.
- Slash the top lightly - it helps the bread open beautifully as it bakes.
- For extra flavor, brush the crust with olive oil right after baking.
How to Serve
This rosemary bread shines on its own because the scent and flavor are already rich and warm. Slice it while it’s still slightly warm, and you’ll notice how soft the inside is compared to the crisp crust. It goes well with many meals or works beautifully as a simple snack.
For specific ideas, try it dipped in olive oil and balsamic, used as a base for garlic toast, or served beside creamy pasta or soup for a comforting dinner.
FAQs
Can I add other herbs?
Yes 🙂 thyme, oregano or basil mix well with rosemary.
Can I rise the dough overnight instead?
You can keep the mixed dough in the fridge overnight and rise it later in the Instant Pot.
Can I bake it only in the oven?
Yes. Bake at 450°F for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
More Bread Recipes
Instant Pot Rosemary Bread
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 cups flour
- 1½ tablespoon rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbs sugar
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir warm water, dry yeast and sugar. Set aside for 10 min.
- After 10 minutes, add oil, rosemary, salt and flour. Stir till the flour is incorporated into the mixture. The dough may be a little sticky and it's fine.
- Take cake pan or springform pan and spray it with olive oil. Place your dough inside.
- Cover the lid and set the Instant Pot to 4 hours (Yogurt program).
- Once done, open the lid and take out the dough. Gently shape it into a ball (or any other shape you like).
- Brush with olive oil and sprinkle the rosemary on the top.
- Slash the bread making a cut about ½ inch deep. (I like it that way as you can see in the image. But this step is optional.)
- Bake in the oven or using Air Fryer Lid or Mealthy Crisplid at 450°F for 30 minutes until the bread get a crispy crust.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Notes
- Let the yeast sit for the full 10 minutes so it becomes bubbly and active.
- Use a well-oiled pan so the dough doesn’t stick after rising.
- If the dough feels too sticky, dust your hands with flour when shaping it.
- Slash the top lightly - it helps the bread open beautifully as it bakes.
- For extra flavor, brush the crust with olive oil right after baking.
- If you don't have an Air Fryer Lid, just bake at 450°F for 25–30 minutes in the oven until golden brown.
I have a yogurt setting, but my screen reads “boil” when I push it. Is that what I want?
Yes! When making yogurt, it says boil because it boils the milk to the correct temp, but that's the same setting we want to use for this recipe.
I don’t have the crisp, but a vortex. I’m worried about baking the bread in that, but you state can cook in the oven, can you advise temp and timings please
I have the instant pot duo crisp. Can I do this with the sous vide function instead of the yogurt function?
I don't know if that will work since I think it requires liquid?
Is the bread baked in the cake/springform pan or just on a flat surface sans pan?
Great question! I like to bake it in a Dutch oven or cake pan, but you should also be able to use a large baking sheet, it just might spread a bit.
Can I use bread flour or 00 flour?
Yes, you could use bread flour. I would use a little less-- about 2.75 cups so the dough isn't too dry.
Steps 3-4: Do you add any water to the instant pot?
No you do not need to add any water at that time, it's just proofing the dough, allowing it to rise in a warm, moist environment.
Looks and sounds amazing, can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing!
I'm glad you think so, of course! 🙂
Would it be possible to bake this with the airfryer lid on bake setting? If so, how long and would it be best to cover with foil for most of the bake?
If you havent tried it, what would be the reasons why not.
I haven't tried it, but I think it would be possible. I would lower the temperature a bit (400) and check it after 20 minutes. If it's browning too quickly, you could cover the bread with foil at that point. If you try it, let me know how it turns out 🙂
Why not cooking this bread at Broil in the Instant pot instead of the oven?
I made this in the oven for a crispy crust, but you could try cooking it in the Instant Pot, I just don't think it would develop a crispy crust.
Several people asked what setting to use if they do not have a yogurt setting. Could you please help by answering this question?
I answered this on another comment but wanted to make sure you saw my response: instead of using the instant pot for this step, place a pan of boiling water in the bottom of your oven (turned off) and place the pan of dough on top and shut the oven door. This will create a similar effect as the yogurt setting. The warm setting is a little too warm and may kill the yeast.