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 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 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
- 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:
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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 , 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Best bread I ever done,and was fast and easy
I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for leaving a comment Lynda! :)
Yes…. I love it, very usefull
This was so easy and so delicious! I thought I read somewhere that you could make this into baguette style. How long would you need to bake for that?
Hi Judy! Yes, you definitely can make this into a baguette. I would just check after 12 minutes and bake until the tops are golden brown.
Really enjoy it and love how easy it is!
I am a novice bread baker, so sorry if this is a silly question! Do you use the rapid rise yeast? It seems like this dough does not have too much rising time, as compared to other recipes I have seen. Thank you. I look forward to trying this!
Hi Janet! I use active dry yeast. You can let it rise more if you would like.
If I don’t have active dry yeast can I use instant dry yeast instead and if so how much?
Hi! Yes you can. No need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
Can you use instant yeast?
Hi Brit! Yes you can. No need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
What flour is this as I can’t seem to see it in the recipe or notes. If bread four can I substitute plain as I cannot get bread flour anywhere at the minute
Hi Lynn! I just use all purpose flour in this recipe. Hope you enjoy! :)
Amazing bread! I added a tablespoon of olive oil and herbes de provence into the dough and it was a huge hit. Easy to make. Will definitely be making again.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for your comment!
How much herb de provence did you add? I want to try this tomorrow. Thank you
hi! can this be made with instant yeast? if so should I do anything differently?
Hi Austen! Yes you can. No need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
Question: the recipe says 5-6 cups of flour, but you only used 2. What are the 3-4 extra for?
Hi Angela! I initially add 2 cups and then add an additional 1/2 cup of flour at a time until you reach 5-6 cups total.
Oh right! My mistake, sorry! Thank you
This is my first homemade bread. Very easy and very good. My kids are the whole Loaf. They said it best bread ever. My kids love Fresh Bake bread and we spent a Small fortune Weekly. Now I can’t find active dry yeast. Can I use Instant fast rising yeast? How much to use? Just add in dry ingredients? Thanks.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, you can use instant yeast inside and add in with the other ingredients. :)
Ingredients are pretty standard but the method, wow! I was suspicious but stuck to the instruction and the bread is FANTASTIC. This is now my go to recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment and review Jody. :)
Thank you!!!! I left my dough to rise overnight because I preferred to bake it fresh for breakfast. They taste delicious! I’m a learner, so the shape of my dough and the way I knead it needs work…. but this is a fantastic recipe for beginners. Thank you again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that it turned out well for you. Thank you for coming back to leave a comment and review Sarah!
So good! And very quick & easy to make compared to other recipes I’ve made. This barely has time to cool before my family is begging for a piece. Its fluffy with a chewy crust. I don’t brush with egg but instead throw 4-5 ice cubes at the bottom of the oven at the beginning of bake and immediately rub with butter once removed. If you prefer a crunchy , don’t use butter at the end. A winner!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing your tips! :)
Wow, this is SO EASY and came out fantastic! After reading comments, I didn’t add sugar and don’t regret it. I only made a half batch as I was testing the recipe and I wish I made the full batch!
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you for your nice comment and review! :)
My family devoured this bread! No way we could freeze one because one loaf was gone within MINUTES!!! It truly is a wonderful, easy, recipe that produces delicious results. Thank you!
I’m so glad everyone loved it!! Thank you for your kind comment and review Marianne! :)
Followed this recipe except did coconut oil before baking instead of butter and it turned out perfect! Definitely going to make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment and review Angela. :)
This was so good! I was going to take your advice and freeze the other loaf but my family devoured the first one quickly at dinner so we kept the other out for lunch the next day. Definitely a winner!
I love homemade French Bread! Thanks so much for sharing this. :)
LOVED this bread. Served it with pasta and my kids devoured it.