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!
good the bread looks beautiful
I’m so happy it turned out great for you! Enjoy :)
Fantastic recipe! Super easy and produces 2 beautiful loaves. I kneaded the dough in my Bosch mixer for 5 minutes. Used whole egg wash and baked for 20 minutes. Made French bread pizzas for freezer meals. Thank you for a great recipe!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that you had such great success with the recipe. We love to make french bread pizzas too :)
Why don’t you knead this bread? Just curious….
You do :) It’s included in step #2 in the instructions
I made French bread for the first time and my family was super impressed! It was delicious!! Thanks for the recipe which was easy to follow.
Yay – great job on your first loaf of French bread! I’m so glad your family liked it :)
So easy, fast, to the point.. and delicious!
I’m so happy to hear that you love the recipe, Deevy!
This is a really quick, easy and delicious recipe. I have made it several times and it is always a hit!
I’m so happy to hear that, Sharon! Thanks for your comment and review :)
This was so easy and everyone loved it. Went great with chicken dumpling soup.
I’m so happy to hear this! Serving it with chicken and dumpling soup sounds so delicious :)
Loved it! I added a touch more sugar and 5 cups of flour was enough!
So glad to hear you loved the bread, Colleen! Thanks for your comment and review :)
Can this be baked on parchment paper if you don’t have a baking sheet?
You’ll want some type of stone or baking sheet to put it on. Could even use a casserole dish if you needed to.
Are you using AP flour? Would bread flour work (if I added a bit more liquid)?
I typically use all purpose flour, although bread flour should be fine to use.
This was so great! Most French breads are stiff and chewy, but thus was light, flaky and buttery! Thank you for the recipe, this is definitely going in my favorites!
I’m so happy to hear you loved the recipe, Rosie! Thanks for your comment and review :)
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes, it will work. No need to proof with water first. Just add in with the other ingredients.
This bread was super easy to make and is one of the most delicious loaves I’ve had!
I’m so happy to hear this, Jessica! Thanks for your comment and review :)
Wow…it was so simple and delicious!
I’m so glad you liked it, Barbara!
The best and easiest french bread recipe out there! It’s my go to every time I make soup or chili for dinner. And fabulous as grilled cheese!
Thanks so much for your comment, Lindsay! I’ll definitely have to try using it to make a grilled cheese :)
First bread I ever made was french bread from an old Good Housekeeping cook book.It was great.I have made it now 40 years from memory.
This recipe here makes the best french bread you will ever have!! It is awesome.I followed recipe exactly but added poppy seeds after putting on the egg wash.Now hubby wants this bread in his lunch everyday.I finally bought a double french bread pan and am getting ready to make more!
Hi Lydia, thanks so much for your nice comment! I’m so happy to hear you love this recipe. The added poppy seeds sprinkled on top of the bread sounds delicious!
I got up early on Sunday morning to try to make bread to surprise my girlfriend. OMG…it was so easy and so sooo delicious! We hate 1/2 of a loaf just to “try” it lol. Thank you so much!
I’m so happy to hear this!! Thanks for sharing, Dan!
Absolutely love this bread. Even my super picky teenager can’t get enough of this bread.
I’m so glad it was teenager approved! Thanks for your comment, Julie!
I can’t thank you enough for this recipe! Nor can I recommend it enough. I’m not sure what it is — the ratio, the preparation method… Whatever it is, this recipe creates perfect french bread, every time. I’m not a bread expert. I found this recipe by searching “foolproof French bread.” This bread has gone to countless picnics, graced multiple charcuterie tables, and it’s been perfect every time. THANK YOU!!
(p.s. – I recommend brushing with butter if you have time!)
Thanks so much for your nice comment, Alex! It makes me so happy to hear how much you love the recipe :)