Simple French Bread Recipe (2024)

Published February 22, 2023.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This delicious, easy-to-make French Bread Recipe is light and fluffy inside with a beautiful golden outside crust. You will love the flavors in this homemade bread recipe.

Baking bread is one of the most fulfilling and satisfying procedures that you can do. If you are looking for more tastybread recipes, try my Banana BreadorHomemade Bagel Recipe.

French Bread

French bread is a light crusty, yeast-raised bread made with water, flour, and yeast. This comes in many shapes and sizes, including the classic baguette, rounds, and ovals. While this recipe has quicker proof times and uses commercial yeast, the flavors are still outstanding.

This bread is fantastic served with butter or used as the bread in a Steak Sandwich. It can be sliced longways, on a bias, or in thin slices. Once you make and it this easy French bread recipe, there’s no reason even to buy it premade again.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Flour – You will need to use bread flour for this recipe. It has a higher protein and will make better bread.
• Water – Regular old tap water heated to 112° to 115°.
• Yeast – You can use active or instant yeast in this recipe.
• Butter – Always use unsalted butter in your cooking and baking.
• Salt – I always use sea salt in my cooking and baking.
• Sugar – Some granulated sugar is used for feeding the yeast.

How to Make French Bread from Scratch

Add ½ of the water to the bowl of a stand mixer along with the sugar and yeast.

Whisk until combined, then let it stand for 5 to 7 minutes.

A raft should form on the top if you use active yeast. If you are using instant yeast, then there is no need to wait for the raft.

Add in the rest of the water, salt, and flour.

Knead with a stand mixer using the dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes. It’s ok if the dough seems a little sticky.

Remove the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm place for 90 minutes or until it’s doubled in size.

Take off the plastic, and punch down the dough to its original size. If it’s stuck, dust it with some flour.

Knead the dough on a clean, floured surface for 1 to 2 minutes.

Form the dough into a large ball by cupping around the dough into the bottom.

Cut the dough into 4 equal parts. If you want larger thicker French bread, cut it into 3 equal parts.

Press down 1 of the doughs until it forms the shape of an oval.

Fold the dough up by 1/3.

Fold it up again by 1/3 meeting at the seam.

Pinch the seams with your fingertips until they are shut.

Roll the dough out until it is roughly 12 to 16 inches long and tapered at the ends.

Place it on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and cover it with plastic wrap. Proof for 60 minutes in a warm place.

Preheat the oven to 425° and place a pan filled with water on the bottom rack. This will help create moisture in the oven and provide a nice golden brown crust on your bread.

Remove the plastic and cut 3 slices on a bias using a sharp knife or razor. You can spray or brush the tops with water for an extra crisp crust.

Bake in the oven on the middle rack at 425° for 22 to 25 minutes or until browned on top and cooked through.

Cool to room temperature. Slice and serve.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead:You can make this French bread up to 1 day ahead of time.

How to Store:Cover and keep at room temperature for three days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can freeze this loaf of bread for up to 6 months. Thaw it at room temperature until thawed before slicing and serving.

More Bread Recipes

• Pizza Dough
• Artisan Bread
• Garlic Bread
• Zucchini Bread
• Soda Bread