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 strawberry 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
- Dip in olive oil bread dip as an appetizer
- 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 , or bread flour (add 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 can’t for the life of me make sense of one of the steps! (New to cooking and break making) what do you mean roll into a cylinder and then pinch in ends? Does this mean roll it up like a big cinnamon roll ?
Yes, exactly! Roll it into a similar shape as the photo in step #4 and then turn both ends in and pinch the seams closed (so that it stays in the loaf shape and doesn’t come apart).
Can I replace all purpose flour with bread flour?
Bread flour has a higher protein content so it can typically be a little more dense. If using bread flour I would use a little less flour and cook a 3-5 minutes longer.
First time making bread: the bread was delicious but it came apart at the seam slightly.
Is there something I did or didn’t do?
I would make sure to pinch the seams tightly together and roll the loaf slightly before putting on pan. Then make sure to place the loaf with the seam side down.
Can you use bread flour?
Bread flour has a higher protein content so it can typically be a little more dense. If using bread flour I would use a little less flour and cook a 3-5 minutes longer.
Great recipe! I put the dough in the fridge overnight and it REALLY puffed up. After kneading some of the bubbles out, it baked up just fine. I’ll use this recipe again for sure..
So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)
Great recipe! Made it today and turned one loaf into garlic bread to have with supper. 10/10
Mmm love garlic bread! Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Kendra! :)
This is amazing french bread! I made French bread pizza and my daughter said it was the best pizza I ever made! Thank u so much for sharing this recipe!!
Can I use instant yeast instead of dry active yeast? If so, what would I do differently? Thanks!
Yes, if using instant yeast, no need to proof with water first. Just add the same amount in with the other ingredients.
How did you make it into garlic bread?
We love using this homemade French bread to make this easy garlic bread recipe: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/garlic-bread/
I made the bread yesterday and it was delicious. Thanks for much for sharing this recipe. This is definitely one to keep.
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it, Liz! :)
This bread is amazingly simple and easy to make and pairs well with garlic for a nice buttery garlic bread :)
Love using this recipe to make garlic bread! So glad you enjoyed it, Sara :)
I have a family of 10 (8 kiddos!) and my family LOVES this bread! We eat it once a week most times. It’s easy, quick and the kids devour it! Thank you!
Yay, love hearing that! Thanks for your nice comment and review, Samantha :)
My first time making any kind of bread and it came out delicious and beautiful. I’m keeping this recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review, Alma!
Your instructions only show using 2 and a half cups of flour.you better fix that my bread was pretty wet.
Hi Victoria, you start out with adding 2 cups of flour, then add in 1/2 cup flour at a time (up to 5-6 cups) until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
Been my favorite since I found this over a year ago. It’s beyond easy. Personally I add a bit more sugar and salt but that’s just a personal preference. I make this two or three times a week because it goes with everything. Tonight it’s fettuccini Alfredo and warm French bread. Honestly, this makes even the simplest meal a bit special.
I’m so so happy to hear this, Pamela! Now I’m craving alfredo…yum!
Can I use bread flour in this recipe in place of all purpose flour?
I read more of the comments and answered my own question! Time to do some baking…
Bread flour has a higher protein content so it can typically be a little more dense. If using bread flour I would use a little less flour and cook a 3-5 minutes longer.
Great flavor and texture. My whole family loves this recipe and it’s easy to make!
I’m so happy to hear it was a family favorite!
It’s an easy recipe and very hard to mess up, even if your dough is slightly over or under kneaded, it will still come out okay.
Such and easy and yummy bread! My teens are even versed in how to make it!
Could I make this into a round bread? Or possibly two? Or do I need to use a recipe that’s like a no knead with the dough sticky?
Or, do you have any recipes for a round bread? Aesthetically I just like the way they look! Lol
Hi Sage! Yes, we actually have two different recipes for a round bread :) I especially love this artisan bread (https://www.iheartnaptime.net/artisan-bread/) but this dutch oven bread is also super yummy (https://www.iheartnaptime.net/dutch-oven-bread/)
Really nice results. I’m new to bread making and I found the instruction clear and easy to follow. I will be making this again!
Yay, love to hear that! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kathy :)