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!
I am in love with this bread!! As is my family… Thank you! The only problem I’m having is that once it’s risen and I try to make the diagonal cuts, the dough has formed a skin and thus it falls while I’m trying to wrangle the beautiful cuts in there! Any advice? I’ve tried keeping it covered while rising and it doesn’t seem to make a difference.
So glad you loved the bread! You could try making the cuts before the rise as well, they may just not be as deep.
1st time and came out beautiful!!
Great Recipe
This French Bread is a hit. My favorite to take to gatherings and the most requested from my family.
Love it.
Susan
I’m so happy to hear that it has been a hit!
I have never gotten bread to work before and this recipe worked and everybody in my family loved it!
I’m so glad to hear everyone loved it!
I’ve never been comfortable with yeast raised bread-making b/c if something can go awry, (and we all know that many things can go wrong) it usually does. This bread was a joy to make and to serve. So proud of me for attempting it! ;-) And, I’m pleased to be able to say, “Thanks for this wonderful french bread recipe. It is wonderful bread and was enjoyed by all.” A keeper. (I rolled it in corn-meal and parmesan flakes before baking it and that was a nice flavor extension.)
So glad you enjoyed this french bread!
I’m a bread lover!!! This was my first time ever attempting to make it and it turned out perfect. My husband and son loved it and I ate one loave to myself 😂
So glad your family enjoyed it! :)
This recipe was perfect, I woke up and really wanted some fresh bread and with this recipe I got it much faster than I dared hope! It was fast, easy and delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment and review Rachel!
I’m new to baking bread, and this was a great beginner recipe—not too complex, while also tasting great!
My family love this! The only thing I did different was that I put the dough in a loaf pan on the second rise. Thank you for sharing this recipe, can’t wait to try all the others in your blog. This is perfect!
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for leaving a comment and review!
Great recipe. Followed it 100% and turned out perfect!!
I’m so happy to hear that!
Omg! This bread is awesome! I love it!! So so good! I have a question can I use gluten free flour for this recipe?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t tried it with gluten free flour, so I’m not sure. Definitely let us know if you give it a try!
I made this recipe yesterday, and the cooking time and rise times were off. It needed about 25 min to cook and the rise time should have been at least an hour – 1.5 would probably be better. This bread came out thick and heavy. Next time I will will let it rise for 1.5 hrs.
Hi Michelle! With color weather, it will take longer for the dough to rise. Definitely let it rise until it looks like a good loaf!
Oh, gosh, this bread is perfect! And I really appreciated how simple the recipe was, especially since this was my first time baking French bread.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment and review Dawn! :)
Great recipe. I have no kitchen skills and have made this half a dozen times now to great results. Question: Why the roll out and roll up? Is this typical for baguettes? What would happen if you just shaped it without rolling/rolling?
Hi Ellen! You can just shape like a french loaf, I just roll it to prevent air bubbles.
I just made this bread.. I was so nervous because i never made bread before, but let me tell you. it was so EASY and SO DELICIOUS!!! I will be sure to use this recipe again. (I added garlic power to the flour and a bit to the butter that i brushed on top. it is amazing!!)
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The garlic powder addition sounds delicious!
What kind of flour? There are so many! Plain, Bread flour, Self-rising, etc!
I use all purpose flour!
I made the recipe. It turned very great and tasty!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)