Easy Homemade French Bread Recipe
There’s nothing better than the smell of fresh homemade bread filling your kitchen. This simple French bread recipe is easy to make and results in soft, chewy loaves with a crisp golden crust. Perfect with butter, honey, or your favorite spread!
This is a great recipe for Big Batch Cooking. This bread will elevate just about any meal. It makes amazing sub rolls, it makes a great garlic bread, and it’s perfect with a steaming hot bowl of soup. When I’m too busy to cook, I pull out a loaf or two of this, heat up some soup, and dinner is done!
Fast & Easy French Bread
Course: Big Batch Cooking, Breads, Recipes6
servings1
hour30
minutes20
minutes300
kcalIngredients
2 cups warm water
1 Tablespoon instant yeast (If using Active Yeast, you must proof it first.)
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
5 cups bread flour (plus more, as needed)
2 ½ teaspoons salt
Oil
Butter
Directions
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Add the warm water and mix on medium speed (or knead by hand) until a soft dough forms. Gradually add more flour as needed, ½ cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic but not sticky.
- First Rest: Lightly coat the dough with oil, cover with a plate, and let it rest for 15 minutes to an hour. I let it rise as long as I can but if you are in rush, 15 minutes will work.
- Shape the Loaves: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll each half into a rectangle (about 15 inches long). Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a cylinder. Tuck the ends under and pinch the seams closed. Place both loaves onto a cookie pan or baking sheet.
If making rolls, cut into six equal pieces and pat out to about six inches square, then follow the rest of the instructions above. - Final Rise: Loosely cover the loaves with a towel and let them rise for 30–60 minutes, until puffy.
If you want a crispy crust, before baking, brush the bread with an egg white beaten with 1 tbsp water (a sprinble of sesame seeds on top of the dough would not be amiss). While the oven is preheating, place an aluminum pan on the lower rack. Carefully add 1/2 cup water to the pan after placing the bread pans in the oven. - Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Make three diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf. Bake for 15 –25 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped. I bake my bread until it reaches 200 on an instant read thermometer.
- Finish & Serve: Rub with a stick of butter while warm for a softer, more flavorful crust. Slice and enjoy!
Baking Tips
- Using bread flour gives the bread a better texture and chew.
- Since instant yeast is used, there’s no need to proof it—just mix it directly into the dry ingredients.
- Knead until the dough is soft and elastic, but not sticky.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place.
- For a shinier, crispier crust, brush with an egg wash before baking (1 egg white whisked with 1 teaspoon of water).
- For a softer crust, brush with melted butter right after baking.
Ways to Enjoy Homemade French Bread
- Serve warm with butter, honey, or jam.
- Dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Make French bread pizza or garlic bread.
- Pair with soups like lasagna soup or chowder.
- Use for sandwiches, bruschetta, or French dips.
- Make croutons, bread pudding, or French toast with leftovers.
Freezing Instructions
To store for later, let the bread cool completely, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and place it in a zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Enjoy your fresh, homemade French bread!
