This homemade French bread recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients and is so much better than store-bought. Watch the video and follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to make French bread!
I'm a sucker for homemade bread. No knead bread, pretzel bread, dinner rolls, you name it I prefer to make it fresh in my kitchen. This Homemade French Bread is no exception, and it's the best French bread recipe you'll ever make!
It's easy to make with only 6 ingredients! Once you try this French bread you will never be tempted to buy those $2 loves of bread at your local grocery store again. Use it to make homemade croutons or this french toast casserole.
French bread recipe: Ingredients & Substituions
Here are a few notes on the ingredients in this french bread recipe, as well as some possible substitutions.
- Warm water. Make sure the water does not exceed 105 degrees F, or it will likely kill the yeast.
- Granulated sugar. honey can be used in place of granulated sugar, if desired.
- Active dry yeast. If using instant yeast, decrease the amount to 1 ½ tsp.
- Olive oil. Any neutral oil works well in this french bread recipe, if you don't have olive oil my top two recommendations are canola oil and avocado oil.
- All-purpose flour. Use unbleached, all-purpose flour or bread flour for the best results. You can substitute up to 1 cup with whole wheat flour, if desired.
- Egg (for egg wash). This is optional, so you can skip the egg wash if you have an egg allergy in your family. Note that if you choose to omit the egg wash the bread will be just as tasty, but not shiny or as golden-brown.
- Ice Cubes. The steam from the ice cubes helps crisp up the outside of the french bread! A special trick for perfect homemade french bread.
How to make French Bread
Like I said earlier, this recipe is easy to make, but as always we'll walk through how to make french bread step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video!
Proof the yeast
The first step in this french bread recipe is to proof the yeast. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine water, sugar and yeast. Let stand until foamy, which takes about 10 minutes. If mixing and kneading by hand, proof the yeast in a large bowl.
Add ingredients
Once the yeast is proofed, add olive oil, sea salt and 1 cup flour to the mixture and stir with the dough hook. Then, add more flour, ½ cup at a time until the dough is smooth and forms a ball on the dough hook.
If mixing by hand, stir with a spatula or wooden spoon as you add the flour until a ball forms.
Knead the French Bread dough
Knead for 2-3 minutes either with the dough hook or by hand, until the french bread dough is smooth and elastic. It will be slightly tacky, but will form a ball easily. Then, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball.
First rise
Next, lightly oil a large bowl, place the french bread dough in the bowl, and cover with a damp tea towel. Let the dough rise for 30-60 minutes until doubled in size.
Roll out the French bread dough
Once the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Remove the air from the dough and roll it out into a 12”x 9” rectangle.
Roll into a loaf
Then, roll the dough like a jelly roll, tucking in the ends and pinching the seams and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut 4-5 shallow diagonal lines down the loaf.
Second Rise
Next, let the dough rise for about 30-60 minutes until it has about doubled in size.
Apply egg wash & bake
If desired, brush egg wash over loaf, then bake the french bread on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Put ice cubes on the bottom of the oven as soon as you put the pan in there and close the door. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Slice & Serve
Let cool slightly, slice and serve. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this homemade french bread:
- Serve this french bread recipe alongside your favorite soup - like this vegetable soup, tortellini soup, butternut squash soup or this chicken and rice soup!
- Slather some homemade cinnamon honey butter on this french bread for a special treat!
- I love dipping this french bread in some high-quality olive oil and parmesan cheese or balsamic vinegar!
- Serve it alongside your favorite main dish like this roast turkey and this balsamic slow cooker pot roast.
- This french bread is a great companion to your favorite pasta dishes like this pesto pasta and this cheesy sausage gnocchi!
- Use any leftovers to make the best homemade croutons ever!
How to store french bread
Store any leftover french bread in an airtight container (or plastic bag) at room temperature for up to 3 days for maximum freshness. You can use any leftovers to make these homemade croutons too - so good!
To freeze
Let the homemade french bread cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and put in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. Thaw at room temperature or wrap in foil and thaw in the oven set to warm (about 200 degrees F).
FAQs
Putting ice in the bottom of the oven when you put the loaf of french bread in helps create a crispy outer crust. The egg wash also helps.
To reheat, wrap the bread in foil and put it in an oven preheated to 300 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until it's warmed through. Wrapping it in foil will help lock in the moisture and prevent it from drying out.
I suggest making this french toast casserole - yum!
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Homemade French Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 ½ TBS granulated sugar
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 2 TBS olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 ½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg beaten (optional egg wash)
- 5 ice cubes
Instructions
- In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine water, sugar and yeast. Let stand until foamy – about 10 minutes. If mixing and kneading by hand, proof the yeast in a large bowl.
- Add olive oil, sea salt and 1 cup flour, and stir with the dough hook.
- Add more flour, ½ cup at a time until the dough is smooth and forms a ball on the dough hook. If mixing by hand, stir with a spatula or wooden spoon as you add the flour until a ball forms.
- Knead for 2-3 minutes, either with the dough hook or by hand, until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will be slightly tacky, but it will form a ball easily.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and cover with a damp tea towel.
- Let the dough rise for 30-60 minutes until doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into a 12”x 9” rectangle and roll it like a jelly roll, tucking in the ends and pinching the seams. Place the rolled dough on the prepared baking sheet.
- Take a knife and cut 4-5 shallow diagonal lines down the loaf.
- Let the dough rise for about 30-60 minutes, until almost doubled.
- If desired, brush egg wash over loaf.
- Transfer loaf to the middle rack of the preheated oven and put the ice cubes on the bottom of the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, slice and serve.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Warm water. Make sure the water does not exceed 105 degrees F, or it will likely kill the yeast.
- Granulated sugar. honey can be used in place of granulated sugar, if desired.
- Active dry yeast. If using instant yeast, decrease the amount to 1 ½ tsp.
- Olive oil. Any neutral oil works well in this french bread recipe, if you don't have olive oil my top two recommendations are canola oil and avocado oil.
- All-purpose flour. Use unbleached, all-purpose flour or bread flour for the best results. You can substitute up to 1 cup with whole wheat flour, if desired.
- Egg (for egg wash). This is optional, so you can skip the egg wash if you have an egg allergy in your family. Note that if you choose to omit the egg wash the bread will be just as tasty, but not shiny or as golden-brown.
- Ice Cubes. The steam from the ice cubes helps crisp up the outside of the french bread! A special trick for perfect homemade french bread.
How to store french bread
Store any leftover french bread in an airtight container (or plastic bag) at room temperature for up to 3 days for maximum freshness. You can use any leftovers to make these homemade croutons too - so good!To freeze
Let the homemade french bread cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and put in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. Thaw at room temperature or wrap in foil and thaw in the oven set to warm (about 200 degrees F).How to store french bread
Store any leftover french bread in an airtight container (or plastic bag) at room temperature for up to 3 days for maximum freshness. You can use any leftovers to make these homemade croutons too - so good!To freeze
Let the homemade french bread cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and put in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. Thaw at room temperature or wrap in foil and thaw in the oven set to warm (about 200 degrees F).Nutrition
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Michaelangelo
3rds time around for this one…..1st cup I used whole wheat…then mix of bread and plain flour…standard go to now…great soft …didn’t egg wash it ..we like it soft