Easy French Bread
I always wanted to make homemade French bread, but thought it would be difficult. Wrong! Our Rustic French Bread is as easy to make as it is delicious to eat.
I have always been intimidated by making fresh bread, but as soon as I made this recipe I was immediately mourning lost time. It is so easy!
It takes less than an hour start to finish to make both loaves. I love that the recipe makes two loaves, so perfect to share with friends or neighbors.
Plus, absolutely nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread. You won't regret trying this recipe.
The Best French Bread Recipe
If you love bread as much as I do, you absolutely need my Grandma's Famous Crescent Roll recipe, too. Or if sweet breads are what you prefer be sure to check out our yummy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or our Lemon Zucchini Bread recipes.
Back to this delicious homemade French bread. I have always been intimidated by making fresh bread, but as soon as I made this recipe I was immediately mourning lost time. Guys, it was so easy! It takes less than an hour start to finish to make both loaves.
I love that the recipe makes two loaves, so perfect to share with friends or neighbors.
Easy French Bread ingredients
- Water
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Oil
- Flour
- Butter
How to make Easy French Bread
Below you will find a picture tutorial and step by step instructions. There is also a video in the recipe card if you'd like to watch the whole process unfold.
Top Left - Add hot water, yeast and sugar to a large mixer and let rise.
Top Right - Once your mixture puffs up and the yeast is activated, add in your oil, salt, butter and flour. Add flour gradually and mix to combine. If dough is too sticky, add a little bit of flour at a time until the dough pulls off the sides of your mixer. You don't want dough to over mix, but you want it to be well incorporated. 2-3 minutes is typically perfect.
Bottom Left - Divide dough in half and shape into two loaves.
Bottom Right - Make diagonal scores across the dough to give the loaves room to grow and expand in the oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
When bread is done remove from oven and immediately butter the top of each loaf.
Pro Tip: The lack of rise time in this recipe causes the bread to be a little more dense than French bread you would buy at the grocery store. If you would rather have your bread be a little more airy you can allow the loaves to rise after you shape them and before you put them in the oven. If you do let them rise spray some Saran Wrap with cooking spray and cover the loaves with it so the tops don't harden or dry out during rising.
Easy French Bread Recipe tips
Use High-Quality Flour: The quality of flour significantly impacts the texture and flavor of your French bread. Opt for high-quality bread flour, which has a higher protein content, providing structure and chewiness to the bread. If bread flour is not available, all-purpose flour can be used as well, although the texture may be slightly different. Just ensure that your all purpose flour is not old or expired.
Create Steam in the Oven: Professional bakeries often use steam injection ovens to achieve a crispy crust on French bread. While home ovens may not have this feature, you can still create steam to mimic the effect. Place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven or use a spray bottle to mist the oven walls with water just before placing the bread inside. The steam helps to create a moist environment, allowing the bread to expand fully during baking and develop a crisp, golden crust.
How to serve this Quick French Bread Recipe
Serve this delicious bread with our delicious honey butter, homemade raspberry jam, or with one our favorite soups like this delicious chicken noodle recipe.
How to store a French Bread Loaf
To store a homemade French bread loaf, first ensure that it has cooled completely to room temperature after baking. Once cooled, wrap the loaf tightly in a clean kitchen towel or linen cloth to protect it from exposure to air, which can dry out the bread. Avoid using plastic wrap, as it can trap moisture and cause the crust to become soggy.
Store the wrapped loaf in a bread box or a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you need to store the bread for a longer period, you can freeze it. Slice the loaf before freezing to make it easier to thaw individual portions. Wrap the sliced loaf tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Frozen French bread can be stored for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, simply remove the desired number of slices from the freezer and let them come to room temperature, or reheat them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy.
French Bread Recipe Easy FAQs
French bread differs from regular bread primarily in its minimalist ingredients of flour, water, salt, and yeast, omitting added fats like butter or oil, resulting in a distinctive flavor and texture. It boasts a crisp, thin crust and chewy interior crumb.
A French loaf and a baguette share similarities in terms of their basic ingredients and baking techniques, but they differ primarily in their shape and size. A baguette is a long, slender loaf with a rounded or slightly tapered shape, typically measuring about 2-3 inches in diameter and 24-30 inches in length. Its iconic shape facilitates even baking and creates a high crust-to-crumb ratio, resulting in a crisp crust and airy interior crumb.
In contrast, a French loaf, also known as a "pain de campagne" or country bread, tends to be wider and shorter than a baguette, with a more rounded or oval shape. French loaves often have a denser crumb and a chewier texture compared to the airy interior of a baguette. While both are beloved staples of French cuisine, the distinction in shape and texture makes each suitable for different culinary uses, with baguettes being ideal for sandwiches and French loaves complementing hearty soups or as a side for meals.
French Bread Recipe (Easy!)
Video
Equipment
- Large Bowl or Mixer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add hot water, yeast and sugar to a large mixer and let rise.
- Once your mixture puffs up and the yeast is activated, add in your oil, salt, butter and flour. Add flour a gradually and mix to combine. If dough is too sticky, add a little bit of flour at a time until the dough pulls off the sides of your mixer. You don't want dough to over mix, but you want it to be well incorporated. 2-3 minutes is typically perfect.
- Divide dough in half and shape into two loaves.
- Make diagonal slices across the dough to give the loaves room to grow and expand in the oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Happy bread making,
xo,
This recipe was so easy to follow and the results were amazing! Best French bread I've ever made.
This french bread was delicious! So soft and tender on this inside!
I am so bad at making homemade bread but somehow, I pulled this off! Yay. Your tips were so helpful. Spread some Nutella on it and enjoyed it for breakfast today.