Homemade French Bread Recipe

Making homemade French bread is a game-changer! Golden on the outside and supremely soft and tender on the inside, it will complement any meal perfectly! I love making bread at home because it’s so fresh, delicious, and free of preservatives. Homemade sourdough, challah, and this French baguette are a few more tasty bread recipes to add to your baking lineup.

Delicious Homemade French Bread Recipe

There are few things in life better than a freshly-baked loaf of bread. French bread is one of my favorite types of homemade bread to make because it’s soft and thick with the perfect chew. It’s great for serving alongside dinner and even better for dipping! French bread and olive oil bread dip are one of my all-time favorite appetizer combos. It’s so simple but satisfying! This homemade French bread recipe is a staple that you’ll want to come back to again and again. It’s straightforward to make and something both seasoned and beginner bakers will have success with! With a little patience and a lot of love, you’ll be able to make a loaf of bread unrivaled by your favorite bakery! Just be warned- making homemade French bread from scratch is super addictive and you’ll want to do it all the time. Good news! I’ve got a full list of easy and delicious bread recipes waiting for you here.

French Bread Ingredients

One of the reasons I love making homemade French bread so much is the fact that it uses such simple baking ingredients. Check out the recipe card below for exact measurements!

Warm Water: Used to activate the yeast.Dry Active Yeast: This will give your bread that perfect rise. Keep in mind, it needs plenty of time to activateGranulated Sugar: Added to the yeast mixture to help activate it.Salt: Keeps your bread from tasting bland.All-Purpose Flour: Gives your french bread the perfect light and airy structure.Olive Oil: Helps your bread to have a softer, more tender crumb.Melted Butter: Softens the crust of the homemade French bread and adds a pop of rich flavor.

How to Make French Bread at Home

Don’t let the amount of steps fool you. Making homemade French bread is actually pretty simple! You just have to allow it plenty of time to rise so that your loaf ends up light and fluffy.

Preparing Your Dough:

Baking:

Baker’s Lame: A baker’s lame is a fancy name for a razor specially used to slice the top of your loaf. I recommend investing in one. It makes scoring easy!Make Your Crust Shiny: Ever wonder how bakeries get their goods so glossy and delicious-looking? It’s an egg wash! Simply whisk an egg and water together and then brush it on top of your loaf before baking. It will add the perfect sheen.Crispy Crust: If you want to add more crispiness to your crust, toss a few ice cubes on the bottom of your oven and close the door quickly to create steam.Serve With: This bread is amazing on its own, but also great with a little honey butter or homemade jam!

At Room Temperature: Store your loaf in a bread bag or wrap it in plastic wrap. It will stay good for up to 3 days.In the Freezer: Your homemade French bread will stay good for up to 2 months in a Ziploc bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before use.

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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.