The BEST homemade french bread recipe made in just 90 minutes! So easy to make and comes out golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and chewy on the inside.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.
Homemade bread is one of my favorite things to make. It can seem a bit intimidating at first, but this easy French bread recipe is a great place to start. Like my Italian bread recipe, it has a quick rising time and takes about 90 minutes from start to finish.
If you’re a beginner to bread baking, make sure to check out my artisan bread and my easy homemade breadsticks. Both are so simple along with my favorite dinner rolls and French bread rolls!
Easiest French Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy french bread recipe, this is it! You’ll have 2 beautiful loaves in 90 minutes. The actual time you’ll be working will only be about 15 minutes, the rest of the time will be patiently waiting for the dough to rest/rise. This homemade french bread is golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and slightly chewy on the inside. We love to serve it with a bowl of warm soup and the first time I made it, my husband said “this bread is SO good, where did you get it?” He thought I picked it up from our local bakery. It is just that good and really so easy to make. You’ll never want to buy store bought french bread again.
I absolutely love making bread and rolls of all kinds. There’s something so satisfying about making them in your own kitchen. The smell is unbelievable. We love to serve this homemade french bread with softened butter, honey and/or strawberry jam. So so good. Trust me when I say, this is the best french bread recipe!
How To Make Homemade French Bread
- Proof the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until it has begin to foam.
- Mix and let rest. Place 2 cups of flour into a large mixing bowl with the salt. Stir in the yeast mixture and begin to knead by hand or using a dough hook and stand mixer. Add 1/2 cup of the remaining flour at a time until the dough is smooth but not sticky. Rub the olive oil around the dough ball and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Shape and let rise again. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll one half into a rectangle. Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a cylinder. Turn both ends in and pinch the seams closed. Round the edges and place onto a baking sheet. Repeat with the second dough ball. Let rise for 30-45 minutes. Make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf.
- Bake in oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Brush the top of the homemade french bread with melted butter if desired. Slice and enjoy! :)
Baking Tips
- The key to the perfect consistency is to knead in flour a little at a time, until the dough becomes soft and not sticky.
- If using a bread dough hook to knead the dough, knead the last couple of minutes by hand.
- Let the dough rest a minute during the mixing process (this allows the gluten to relax).
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot by the window or on top of the stove.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and then press down with your finger tips to remove any air pockets.
- Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough and any extra bubbles.
- Roll the dough into a loaf and then make sure to tuck the ends under and pinch all the seams together tightly to create a nice seal.
- For a crispier/shinier crust, brush on egg wash (1 egg white (whisked) with a teaspoon of water) before baking.
- For a softer and more flavorful crust, brush with melted butter right when it comes out of the oven.
Favorite Ways To Enjoy
- Top with butter, garlic herb butter, honey, cinnamon butter, jam or apple butter
- Dip in olive oil bread dip as an appetizer
- Use it to make classic bruschetta or bruschetta caprese
- Serve with all types of soup, like lasagna soup, corn chowder and hearty vegetable soup
- My family loves to make french bread pizza, stuffed french bread or garlic bread
- We also like to make spaghetti boats using leftovers of my easy spaghetti recipe.
- Make a french dip sandwich
- Once it’s a few days old, make french bread french toast, bread pudding or croutons
- Cut into cubes and serve with this cold Knorr spinach dip.
Freezer Instructions
Since this recipe makes two loaves, sometimes we freeze one of them for later. To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in foil or saran wrap (make sure it has cooled completely). Then place in a zip top bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
More Homemade Bread Recipes To Try:
Homemade French Bread Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water , about 105°F
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 5 cups (650 g) all-purpose flour , or bread flour (add more as needed)
- 2 ½ teaspoons table salt or fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Melted salted butter , optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes, or until it begins to foam.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture on medium-low speed or by hand. Knead in 1/2 cup of the remaining flour in increments until the dough is smooth but not sticky (depending on climate you could use more or less than 5 cups). Add more flour as needed.
- Rub the olive oil around the dough ball, cover the bowl with a towel and let rest 15 to 30 minutes. If you have more time, let rise up to 1 hour.
- Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and divide it in half. Set one half aside. Roll the other half into a rectangle (about 15 inches). Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a cylinder.
- Turn both ends in and pinch the seams closed. Round the edges and place onto a baking sheet. Repeat with the second dough ball. Make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf. Cover loaves lightly with a towel. Let rise 30 to 60 minutes (the longer the better, if you have the time).
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Bake 17 to 23 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. When you knock on it, it should sound hollow. If it's browning too fast, lightly cover with foil and lower the temperature to 375°F.
- Brush the top with melted butter, if desired. Slice and serve while warm.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Kelly Schoeplein
This recipe make THE BEST French Bread!! Thank you for this recipe. I’m definitely trying you dinner rolls recipe as well!
Lauren
Very spongey with a crisp top. Loved it!! Although the 2 loaves it makes are very bigand had to cook for about 30 minutes. Will definitely divide into 4 smaller ones next time.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review Lauren! Baking time will decrease for smaller loaves.
Rita
I made this and everyone loved it also used it in my French onion soup! Can you use instant yeast? And egg on top instead of only the whites?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yes, instant yeast can be used, it may rise faster so keep an eye on it. And yes for the egg wash, just watch for browning more quickly.
Meghan
What would cause it to deflate?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
This could be caused by a few reasons but most often it’s a sign that it was over proofed.
Shelly Roeben
2nd recipe I tried this is a keeper made it with kitchen aid . Thanks for sharing I’m limited on ingredients I can eat so I keep it pretty clean . This one is a definite keeper
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review of the French bread recipe!
Chelsea
Made this bread twice so far. This is so easy and so good. We did chicken parm sandwich’s and pizza. Thank you for this recipe.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you found so many ways to use the French bread, yum!
Lucy R
I don’t have a stand mixer and have arthritis in hands, could this be made in Bread Machine?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
We have not tested it that way, but it should work. Use instant yeast (bread machine yeast) and the dough setting. When the dough setting is finished, proceed with shaping (step 4).
Kelly Schoeplein
I used a stand mixer as well as another person on here. It came out so yummy!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you love the French bread!
Candace
Great quick recipe. Served well in pinch for French bread pizza when the store ran out. Left overs were great toasted for dipping in olive oil.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yes! Homemade French bread makes the best pizza!
K White
This was an easy to follow recipe. Thoroughly enjoyed making it. The family ate it up. Granddaughter said it was the best bread she’s ever had 😊😋 thank you for sharing your recipe with the community.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoy the homemade French bread!
Paula Swint
Absolutely Wonderful bread I’ve had nothing but RAVE REVIEWS! Thank you soooo much..making some right now to make Sub sandwiches with for a swimming trip outing!!Happy Summer everyone!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yum, what a treat for your swimming outing!
Kathryn Robinson
Love this recipe. I’ve made several times. I always make extra and then freeze a few baguettes. I do divide mine into 4 rather than 2 loaves, although I have done this with just 2 as well.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review Kathryn!