Perfect Homemade French Bread Recipe

Introduction

There’s nothing like the smell of fresh homemade French bread filling your kitchen. This recipe yields a crusty, golden loaf with a soft, airy interior—perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or enjoying on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water (100℉ to 110℉)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg (beaten)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine yeast, warm water, salt, and about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour. Knead on low speed until the mixture just comes together.
2. Step 2: Increase the speed to medium and gradually add the remaining flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Aim for a soft, pliable dough that feels tacky but not sticky.
3. Step 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough in half and roll each portion into a large rectangle. Roll each rectangle tightly from the long end to form a loaf.
5. Step 5: Place the loaves onto a lightly greased baking sheet or into French bread pans. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
6. Step 6: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and beat the egg in a small bowl.
7. Step 7: Use a sharp knife to make diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep on top of each loaf. Brush the loaves with the beaten egg.
8. Step 8: Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips & Variations

• For a crunchier crust, place a pan of water on the oven floor while baking to create steam.
• Substitute some all-purpose flour with bread flour for extra chewiness.
• Add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for extra flavor.

Storage

Store the French bread in a paper bag or wrapped lightly in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread, then toast or warm slices directly from the freezer.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

How do I know if the yeast is still active?

Using instant dry yeast means you don’t need to proof it separately, but if unsure, you can dissolve the yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar first and watch for bubbling or foam after 5 to 10 minutes.

Perfect Homemade French Bread Recipe

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4.4 from 145 reviews

This Perfect Homemade French Bread recipe guides you through creating classic, crusty French bread with a tender crumb. Using simple ingredients like yeast, flour, water, and salt, the dough is kneaded, allowed to rise, shaped into loaves, brushed with an egg wash for a beautiful golden crust, and baked to perfection. Ideal for sandwiches or alongside your favorite meals, this recipe delivers bakery-quality French bread right from your own oven.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 loaves 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water (100℉ to 110℉)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg (beaten)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 1/2 tablespoons instant dry yeast, 2 cups warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour. Knead on slow speed until ingredients start to come together, then increase to medium speed and gradually add remaining flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and feels soft and tacky, but not sticky.
2. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise at room temperature until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
3. Shape the Loaves: Divide the risen dough in half and roll each half into a large rectangle. Roll each rectangle tightly from the long edge to form a loaf. Place each loaf onto a lightly greased baking sheet or into a French bread pan. Cover and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
4. Preheat Oven & Prepare Egg Wash: While the loaves rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat 1 large egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
5. Score and Brush Loaves: Use a sharp knife to make diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep across the top of each loaf. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to give the crust a golden, glossy finish.
6. Bake the Bread: Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

• The exact amount of flour may vary; add gradually to achieve a soft, pliable dough that’s tacky but not sticky.
• Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is between 100℉ and 110℉ for optimal yeast activation.
• Letting dough rise in a warm, draft-free place will help it double properly.
• Use a sharp serrated knife for scoring the bread to avoid dragging the dough.
• Cooling the bread completely on a wire rack prevents sogginess from steam.

Keywords: French bread recipe, homemade French bread, crusty bread, easy bread recipe, classic French loaf, bread baking