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!
Categorized as: Bread, Dairy-Free, Reader Favorites, Vegetarian, Yeast Bread
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I make this bread ALL THE TIME!! My friends and family absolutely LOVE it! The only thing I do different is that I use Olive Oil spray in my bowl when it rests to reduce the fat. Definitely let them sit for a full hour to proof, they turn out perfect and beautiful every time!
Thanks for the tip, Jen. Glad to hear you found a way to make it work for you!
So easy, so good!! I’m a “self taught” stay at home baker. Love to bake for neighbors, they seem to not mind!!! Anyway, great, easy & delicious 2 loave. Came together very quickly, except I proofed my each time, an hour. The only thing I will change next time I make it will be the salt content. I think I’ll have to cut it back or it didn’t blend well!! It was a little salty…but besides all that…WONDERFUL bread…thanks, God bless…linda
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Linda! I’m sure your neighbors love all your baked goods :)
Super easy and yummy!
I made your French bread it was wonderful. Only issue it came our like a cinnamon rolls when I cut into it there were holes. How do i prevent this from happening again?
I would just made sure to knead out the air pockets before you roll it if you don’t want to see holes in the middle. It is natural for a french bread to have some air pockets.
Thank you for sharing this recipe!!! This is such an amazing recipe! As a novice bread maker it was easy to follow and comes out perfectly! My whole family loves it! *chefs kisses*
Yay! Great job :) Glad everyone loved it!
Decided to make last minute (2 hrs to dinner time) and it turned out great. With more time to proof, I bet this bread would be out of this world!
New to IHN, but I’m now a fan: good food, beautiful layout, and practical. SOLD!😍
This comment just made our day! So glad you find our site, Bee :) Happy to hear the bread turned out great for you!
Your ingredients list 5 cups flour but your instructions use only 2 1/2 cups. What is right?
It’s 5 cups total. You start by adding in 2 cups initially, then add in 1/2 cup increments until you reach about 5 cups and the dough is smooth but not sticky.
Great recipe – my husband loved it !
This was absolutely delicious! My kids said it was better than store bought! I’m definitely making this weekly. Thank you for the recipe!
You are so welcome, Carrie! Glad to hear it was a hit with your family :)
I haven’t made the bread yet but just wondering if you can make bread bowls with the dough. How long would you cook them?
We actually have a bread bowl recipe on our site with specific instructions :) Check out this post: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/bread-bowl/
Has anyone tried this bread with Gluten Free flour?
I have made it with the cup-4-cup and that seemed to work best. Start with a little less flour and add more if needed.
I love this bread recipe! Sometimes I divide the dough in 4 and make 4 smaller loaves to give away one or two. Turns out great every time.
So glad to hear you love it, Hannah! I love making smaller loaves too :)
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil?
Yes you could
This is the best french bread recipe ever and the easiest! We love it! My kids tear it up. I make it all the time. I use this recipe to make hamburger buns and it comes out great.
So happy to hear it’s a family favorite, Dawn! Hamburger buns sound like a delicious variation of this recipe :)
Would using instant yeast work the same? Sorry if it’s a stupid question but I’m a bit new to bread making. TIA
Yes, if using instant yeast, no need to proof with water first. Just add the same amount in with the other ingredients.
Can I make the dough in morning and leave on counter til I’m ready to bake it for dinner?
I wouldn’t leave on the counter longer than 1 1/2 hours. You can put it in the refrigerator and take out 1 hour before ready to bake.
I’ve made this bread before and we loved it. This time I tried something daring, at least for me. I have a big crop of cherry tomatoes and garlic so I roasted them in olive oil and added them to the dough. Yummy!!
I had a little over 1 cup of tomato mixture so I added enough warm water to make the 2 cups the recipe calls for. Once the yeast bubbled, I continued following the recipe. Perfection in looks and taste.
Wow that sounds amazing!
Absolutely the best French bread recipe ever! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review! :)