1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 375 F (190 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. This ensures your bread bowls will bake evenly and release easily.

2. Slice the Sourdough Loaf: Place your round sourdough loaf on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice the loaf into 4-6 equal-sized thick slices, depending on how large you want your mini bowls to be. Aim for slices that are about 1.5 to 2 inches thick. Each slice will become one bread bowl.

3. Hollow Out Each Bread Slice: Take one slice of sourdough. Using your serrated knife or a small paring knife, carefully cut a circle or square shape about 1/2 inch from the crust, going about two-thirds of the way down into the bread. Do not cut all the way through the bottom. Then, use a spoon to scoop out the soft interior bread from the center, leaving a sturdy wall and bottom. Save the scooped-out bread pieces (the “guts”) – they make excellent croutons or dippers!

4. Brush with Oil or Butter: Arrange the hollowed-out bread bowls on your prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush the inside and outside of each bread bowl with olive oil or melted butter. This adds flavor, helps create a golden crust, and prevents the bread from drying out too much. If desired, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt or garlic powder over the brushed surfaces for extra seasoning.

5. Bake Until Golden and Toasty: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread bowls are lightly golden brown and slightly crisp around the edges. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning. The goal is to warm them through and give them a nice texture.

6. Prepare the Bread Pieces (Optional): While the bowls are baking, you can lightly toast the scooped-out bread pieces on a separate small baking sheet for 5-7 minutes, or until golden and crunchy. These make perfect dippers for your soup or dip.

7. Fill and Serve Immediately: Once the bread bowls are baked, carefully remove them from the oven. Fill them with your favorite warm dip or soup right before serving. The warmth of the bread will complement the filling beautifully.