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:
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
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!
What kind flour is used to make this bread.
I typically use all purpose flour!
Just made this for dinner and it’s amazing!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
New to bread making. Want to try your recipe.Looks amazing! I watched the video, read instructions and also read the comments. The recipe states to let rise. Make 3 cuts. The video shows the same, the dough rises on the baking sheets, then the cuts are made. Yet, in the comments, people did that and the dough deflated. You commented that the slits should be made before the dough rises. So, just to get it right, I prepare the dough, put it on the pans, make 3 cuts, then let it rise for 30-45 mins.? Sorry….new at this! Thanks for your help!
Sorry for the confusion. Yes, I like to make the cuts and then let it rise for the 30-45 minutes! :)
I used organic bread flour, so it didn’t take the full 5 cups of flour. I was only able to add 4.25. It tasted wonderfully.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing your experience.
We all loved this bread. It was light and not too crunchy. I will definitely be keeping this recipe and using it again. Thank you!!
I’m so glad to hear you loved it! :)
My first mistake was following the instructions to the letter. I am a novice baker with terrible bread skills, so here’s where I goofed:
“Let rise for 30-45 minutes. Make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf.”
I did those things–in that order. Derp. Of course that deflated my lovely risen loaves and what most likely seems common sense to anyone else is now obvious to me. 🤦♀️ The flavor was still phenomenal, so I will tackle this recipe again, but this time, ill remember to slash *before* rising. 🤣🤣🤣
Delicious bread! I live at altitude, so the time it took to bake was nearly double. Also as another reviewer stated, cutting the three slashes across the top BEFORE the rising process is better. I lost a lot of my rise because I cut after as the recipe states. I will def make this again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
I’ve made your bread three times now, and always get rave reviews. This time it raised more than it usually did but when I cut the slits in it deflated. What did I do wrong?
Hi Susan! I like to slit my loafs before rising. Try that next time and it won’t deflate. :)
My first from scratch bread. It was close enough to my pizza and pretzel recipes that it wasn’t too intimidating. The instructions were easy and so helpful. Thank you.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Love the bread recipe but did notice that the printed version forgot to mention to add a pinch of sugar to the yeast! Next time I make it I will add the sugar… curious to see if it makes a difference!
I’m not much of a baker, so I always start making bread with an already defeated attitude. This one was easy and turned out well! I didn’t do the eggwash, and my bread didn’t get very golden, so I think I’ll do that next time. But the taste was great – reminded me of Carrabba’s bread.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Love it! Easy and delicious!
SOOOOO GOOD. perfect directions! my whole family loves it! thank you:)
Ah, so glad to hear your family loved it! Thanks for your review :)
I rate this page 5 stars because is really the instructions are clear, and in sequence. I also appreciate the supporting images. I am about to make this recipe right now for dinner. Seems quite easy to make.
Fabulous recipe! Love the texture of the bread. Works every time.
I’m so glad to hear you love it! :)
I just made it and it turns out exactly as you described it. And OMG it tastes sooooooo goooodddd!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Very quick and easy to make. I was surprised at the short rise time, but it did just fine. Ate it hot out of the oven.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Easy, delicious and fun to make. Not being much of a baker this was so satisfying from start to finish. Thank you
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Perfect bread! Super easy to make.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)