Who doesn’t love a good, chewy loaf of soft french bread? It’s the perfect thing to serve with a bowl of soup, a crisp salad, for making sandwiches, or just for tearing and eating for a snack. Slice your loaf and smear with garlic butter then toast it under a broiler to make garlic bread or top with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings to make French bread pizza for an easy 20 minute dinner solution. And of course the leftovers make fantastic French toast. Homemade French bread is actually a simple bread recipe that is easier to make than you might think. Forget the mediocre loaves from the store. Once you try this beginner French bread recipe you will never want to go back to those lackluster loaves again. Homemade bread is one of the best things to come out of any oven! Some of our other favorite bread recipes are Easy Rosemary Focaccia Bread, Soft Garlic Parmesan Homemade Breadsticks, and Sweet Molasses Brown Bread.
Ingredient Notes
This is a quick overview of some of the important ingredients you’ll need for this French bread recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Flour: I have made this with bread with both all-purpose flour and bread flour and honestly, I don’t have a favorite. Both work great, but the bread flour gives chewier results while all-purpose flour produces slightly lighter and fluffier bread. Yeast: I always use active dry yeast, which requires proofing first. But instant yeast can also be used. Warm water: I have found that most people who struggle with making bread are using water that is too hot and kills the yeast. It can come from the tap but should just be nice and warm, not hot, to the touch. If you have a digital thermometer, it should be between 105° and 110°F.
How to Make French Bread
If you are using active dry yeast, start out by proofing the yeast in warm water that is between 105° and 110°F with a little sugar for 5-10 minutes until foamy. If the yeast doesn’t get bubbly, chances are it’s either old and expired or your water was too hot and you should start again. Add the salt, olive oil, and half of the flour, mixing until it starts to combine. I like to do this in my stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. It’s okay if it’s still lumpy. Add the remaining flour about ½ cup at a time while the mixer is running, until the dough starts to come away from the sides of the bowl. Knead on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Then turn off the mixer and let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer back on and knead for 2 minutes longer, then transfer to a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. When the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a clean surface. Cut the dough into two halves and pat one out into a large rectangle that is roughly 9×13-inches. Roll the dough up into a tight cylinder from the long edge, tucking the ends under, and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a perforated French bread pan. Repeat with the other half of the dough to shape a second loaf of bread. Cover lightly with a piece of plastic wrap or clean towel and let rise another 30 minutes until puffy. Preheat the oven to 375°F while the bread is rising, then brush the loaves with an egg wash and slice gashes into the top of each loaf with a sharp knife just before putting them in the oven. Throw a handful of ice cubes into the bottom of the oven with the bread and shut the door to create a steamy environment for the bread. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. If you want a softer, buttery crust, brush a tablespoon or two of melted salted butter over each loaf while it is still hot out of the oven.
Storage
This bread is best when enjoyed fresh, but it will keep well for 2-3 days on the counter wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in a Ziploc bag or up to 1 week in the fridge.
Freezing
You can freeze loaves of baked French bread wrapped tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or wrapped in aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before slicing and enjoying.
More Homemade Bread Recipes
Beginner: If you are new to working with yeast, I recommend starting with this easy rosemary foccacia bread (takes less than an hour from start to finish!) or this no-knead artisan bread. Neither recipe requires difficult shaping, and there is little to no effort at kneading the dough. Intermediate: If you have worked with yeast before but still aren’t super confident in your abilities, this French bread recipe is a great one to try, as is this Amish white bread. Even homemade naan is a great option for a soft, chewy flatbread. Advanced: For those who feel confident in their bread-making abilities, challenge yourself with a dough that requires shaping like this braided homemade challah bread, knotted orange sweet rolls, or cheesy garlic mozzarella swirl rolls
Recipe Tips
Consider getting a perforated French bread pan. If you find you love making this simple bread recipe, you might want to purchase a French bread pan for even better results. Let the dough rest during the mixing process for a minute or two. This allows the gluten to relax before you finish kneading. Rise in a warm spot. Yeast breads rise best in warm rooms, which can be tricky if the weather is cold. My favorite spots for letting my bread rise are on top of my stove or by a window if there is sunshine. You can also heat your oven for 10 minutes to 200°F, then turn it off and stick your bread in there to rise with the door cracked, if needed. Toss ice cubes into a hot oven to create instant steam. This trick is what helps create that beautiful crust. As soon as you slide your loaves into the hot oven, just throw in a few ice cubes and shut the oven door immediately. Use a really sharp knife or bread lame tool to slash gashes in the top of the loaves. This helps the bread cook evenly, releases air bubbles, and makes your bread look pretty. You want your knife or lame tool to be very sharp so it doesn’t deflate the beautifully risen loaves. Use an egg wash. If you like French bread with a crispy crust, brush the outside of each loaf with an egg beaten with 1 teaspoon of water before baking.
More Bread Recipes
Sweet Molasses Brown Bread Soft Garlic Parmesan Homemade Breadsticks Easy Homemade Rye Bread Homemade Bread Bowls
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This post was originally published in March, 2018. The photos and content were updated in February, 2022. Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
