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!
Excellent! I live in Florida so I used closer to 5 cups of flour, 40 minute rise time after first 15 minute rest (kitchen 77F). Kneaded by hand for 9 minutes. Fantastic flavor (good amount of salt for me), nice crust, beautiful soft inside. Will certainly use this again for a quick loaf.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing your experience making it in Florida!
My 1st time making bread. Followed the recipe to a t and it come out perfect.
So glad it turned out perfect for you! :)
FINALLY. I just started trying to make my own French bread and have found countless mediocre recipes, but this one really saved the day. So easy, so delicious. Bless you!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for your comment and review. :)
Awesome, I did not use my bread machine & kneaded by hand for about 5 minutes total.
I accidentally put the oil in with my liquids out of habit from other recipes so only used a smige of oil before resting the dough. I also substituted avocado oil, personal preference.
Was great, will become a regular as I often make pizza bread, I didn’t have any bought french bread on hand and likely won’t bother buying it again!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :) Thanks for your comment and review.
I love the texture and next time I am going to do the egg white wash. It was a little on the salty side for us. Will try this again with just 1 tsp of salt.
Probably a silly question, but I’ve never baked bread. Would parchment paper be okay? Also, I have an XL baking sheet & SHOULD be able to fit the two loaves on it at the same time. How much space do you need between the two loaves while baking?
Yes, parchment paper should work just fine! :) If you watch the video you can see how much the loaves expand while baking to gauge if it will fit. :)
I am so glad that I stumbled across this recipe! It was incredibly easy and quicker than a lot of other bread recipes.
Mine did not turn out as pretty, but it’s really delicious and my whole house smells like a warm hug
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Can the dough be made in the bread machine on the dough setting?
Hi Nikki! I am not too familiar with bread machines so I’m not sure. If you have tried it with other bread recipes it should be fine with this one as well.
Second time making this bread tonight. It is absolutely wonderful! My husband has given it rave reviews saying it’s some of the best bread he has ever had. It’s so easy to put together☺️ Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
I’m so glad it was a hit!!
Wow, this came out great! This was actually my first attempt at any non-dessert loaf bread, and I couldn’t be happier — thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for your comment and review!
It’s simply the best!!! Thank you so much Jamielyn!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Made this for sub sandwiches and it is yummy. I will be repeating this recipe in the future.
Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed it!
Fast, Easy, Tasty Breas! My goto Recipe!
Scared to try it! But I used to make pizza dough by hand so this should be good! I’ll let you know how it goes! Wish me luck!
You’ll be great! Good luck!
Leaving my comment here is my way of sending you a huge THANK YOU note for sharing this recipe! I have never been able to bake yeast bread with any success and never thought I could until I tried this recipe. It is so easy but better yet, amazingly delicious! I baked it for a dinner party and everyone loved it and wanted more. I felt so proud that I could tell them I baked it and didn’t buy it at the grocery store! FIVE STARS!!
Your comment made my day! :) I’m so glad you enjoyed it Ellen!
Excellent!!
This bread is phenomenal! Crispy and crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside! I’m ashamed to say that I ate half of the loaf myself and ruined my dinner. Lol
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you so much for your kind comment Susan!! :)
Should I use regular flour or should I use bread flour?
I usually use bread flour, but either will work! :)
If I wanted to freeze it after I make it into loaf should I let it rise first or thaw and let rise out of freezer?
I would shape it in a loaf and then freeze. Then when you are ready to use it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and let it rise in the morning before baking. :)