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!
This recipe was the best, easy to follow and , as my wife puts it , IT WAS GOOOOOOD.
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it!!
Do I need to use bread flour for this recipe?
Nope! All purpose flour works great! :)
The bread was great only one thing missing was the size of each rolled dough? I just did the best I could but as my first bread making attempt I would have liked to have had the 9×11 or whatever. I guess I didn’t roll the dough tight enough as the ends unrolled a bit? Might want to edit or “hints” the recipe. Thank for sharing.
O My word I made this last night what a great recipe ! Thank you so much ! All the way from South Afrca ! will definitely be making this often !
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comment Janine! :)
So good, my family loved it!
I’m so glad to hear they loved it! :)
I’ve made this recipe 4 times. This last time I finally got the Water temperature Right. This is so easy and so delicious. Really chewy and not light and airy like some bread recipes.
This is the best French bread recipe I’ve ever tried. It’s become part of our regular rotation now. My husband and I love to slice thin pieces, lightly toast in the toaster oven and then top with basil and prosciutto, drizzle of olive oil and seasonings as an appetizer dish.
That sounds absolutely amazing!! Thanks for sharing! :)
First time making French bread and used your recipe . It’s now a weekly request from my girls .
I’m so happy to hear your family enjoyed it! :)
I made this tonight with our dinner, fantastic! I will make again, it’s a keeper. I wish I could post a pic
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Yum! Turned out delicious! I brushed with butter, and I love that the crust wasn’t crispy. It doesn’t hurt my teeth like some french breads!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Making Pasta e Fagioli today, though it’s 90 degrees in Texas and found this recipe. Delicious, absolutely delicious. It’s an hour before dinner time, the bread is cool enough to cut and I am enjoying a slice because I just couldn’t wait. I am not a bread-making novice, but thought it would be good to add in instructions covering the dough with cloth during the rising and your approximate measurement of rectangle before rolling in cylinder for those who are newbees. Excellent recipe. Easy. Sooooo extremely good. Thank you for this recipe – it is a keeper!
I love pasta e fagioli with this french bread too!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Hi. I have tried three different bread recipes. They were good. But after baking yours won’t be looking for another one. This is the keeper . Didn’t have any problems. Followed to the T.
My husband and I devoured half of it with butter, as soon as i took it out of the oven .
Thank you.
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you for your comment! :)
Thanks for the recipe. Can I use instant yeast?
Hi Cecille! Yes you can. No need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
I froze the second load after I baked it. What is the best way to thaw it?
I just let it thaw on the counter overnight. :)
Just made it . Perfect even looks like the picture. I’ve made many but will only use this one from now on. Your dead on with is one. i’m not a novice either but by far this it . Was going to make my baguetts now I am glad did this one.
I’m so glad to hear you loved it! Thank you for your comment!!
Hi, I am planning on making this French bread recipe. I have few questions. Can Bread flour be used instead of All purpose flour? Also, can Instant yeast be used and no sugar added? Will that change the texture of the bread? Thanks.
Hi! Yes, bread flour should be fine. And yes you can use instant yeast…no need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
Wow great bread crunchy crust soft and fluffy inside. Best one I’ve tried so far
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comment! :)
Hello! No active yeast on hand, will instant yeast work instead? Any adjustments?
Hi Belinda! Yes, it will work. No need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
The recipe was easy to follow and I was so excited to have 2 perfect loaves , first time. I’ve used it twice more and it’s still works like magic. 😁
I’m so happy to hear you loved it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review!