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.
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. It has a quick rising time and takes only 90 minutes from start to finish. If you’re a beginner to bread baking, make sure to check out my 3 ingredient artisan bread and my 45-minute breadsticks. Both are so simple!
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 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 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
- 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 leftover spaghetti
- Make a french dip sandwich
- Once it’s a few days old, make french bread french toast, bread pudding or croutons
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
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water (about 105°F)
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons table salt or fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until it has begin to foam.
- 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, cover the bowl with a towel and let rest for 15 to 30 minutes. If you have more time, let it rise up to an hour.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll one 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 loves lightly with a towel. Let rise for 30-60 minutes (the longer the better if you have the time).
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 17-23 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 turn down the temperature to 375°F.
- Brush the top with melted butter if desired. Slice and enjoy! :)
Video
Notes
I usually make non knead overnight bread but wanted to give French bread a go. My family LOVED it! The rollout directions were so spot on and professional that when my husband came home and saw the loaves on their last rise he asked if they were store bought. I was flattered and insulted at the same time as he’s never given me such a compliment before LOL. The only tweak was I let the mixer knead on low for 5 minutes, and only added flour after 4 1/2 cups little by little to combat any stickiness in during the kneading. Perfect recipe<3
Thanks so much for your nice comment, Nicole! This made my day :) So happy to hear the recipe with a hit with your family!
My bread is rising right now. I am wondering if I missed in the instructions somewhere how long and wide the dough should be when rolling it out to form the dough (for the French bread)? Thank you
Delicious!
I kneaded entirely in my kitchen-aid and then let rise for 1 hr each time. Will definitely be making this again.
So glad you enjoyed it, Karly :)
Love this recipe I add cracked black pepper and Kalamata olives. Delicious
Sounds delicious!
Hello! I was wondering if you can sub bread flour instead of the all-purpose flour, or if it is better to just use all-purpose. Thanks!
Bread flour has a higher protein content so it can typically be a little more dense. If using bread flour I would use a little less flour and cook a 3-5 minutes longer.
My husband and I had a blast making it together and our house smelled amazing while doing so! We chose to coat the outside with egg and I smothered my piece with lots of warm garlicky butter. So fab! ! Yum! Thanku !
Love that you and your hubby are having fun in the kitchen together! That garlic butter on top sounds amazing :)
Hi! If I were to add a seasoning, like everything but the bagel, to the top of this, when would I do that? Once the loaves are shaped and ready to go in the oven? Thanks!
I have not tried with this seasoning, but I would probably add right after you shape the dough and right before the last rise. You could also add right before and brush with an egg white so it sticks.
This is the best bread recipe I’ve ever used!
Yay, so happy to hear that Melissa! Thanks for your comment and review :)
Super easy to make and very good. Definitely will be making again. Thanks so much.
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it, Laverne :)