Irresistible Homemade Bakery French Bread Recipe for Beginners

Crafting delectable homemade bakery french bread connects passionate home cooks with generations of artisan baking traditions.

Flour-dusted counters become magical spaces for culinary creativity.

Ancient techniques merge with personal passion in each carefully kneaded loaf.

Simple ingredients transform into golden, crusty perfection through patient technique.

Warm kitchens fill with incredible aromas that transport you straight to parisian bakeries.

Professional chefs and kitchen novices can master this classic recipe with confidence.

Roll up your sleeves and embrace the delightful journey of creating authentic french bread from scratch.

Tips to Get the Perfect Crust on French Bread

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to help yeast bloom without killing it, creating a rich, fluffy bread texture.
• Knead with Care: Use the heel of your hand to push and fold dough, developing gluten structure for that classic chewy French bread consistency.
• Control Humidity While Rising: Cover dough with a damp cloth to prevent surface from drying out, maintaining moisture for smooth, even rising.
• Score with Precision: Make diagonal slashes on bread surface before baking to allow steam escape and create beautiful, professional-looking crust patterns.
• Cooling Technique Matters: Let bread cool completely on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottom and maintain crisp exterior texture.

Storing Homemade Bakery French Bread

• Store leftover French bread in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag for up to 3 days. Keep at room temperature to maintain texture and prevent hardening.
• Wrap bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for best results.
• Warm bread at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, wrapped in foil to prevent drying. Unwrap for the last 2 minutes to crisp the crust.
• Sprinkle bread with water and warm in oven to restore moisture and crispness. Works like magic for day-old bread.

Serving Ideas for Homemade Bakery French Bread

• Pair this homemade French bread with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement its light, airy texture and enhance the bread's subtle yeasty flavors.
• Serve warm slices with high-quality salted or unsalted butter, allowing the bread's soft interior to absorb the rich, smooth spread for a classic indulgence.
• Accompany the bread with a soft goat cheese or brie, creating a delightful contrast between the bread's crusty exterior and the creamy, tangy cheese.
• Prepare a small dish of extra virgin olive oil mixed with herbs like rosemary or basil, perfect for dipping the freshly baked bread and adding an aromatic Mediterranean touch.

Homemade Bakery French Bread With a Twist

• Gluten-Free Bread: Swap wheat flour with a blend of rice flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains a similar soft texture.
• Whole Wheat French Bread: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and a nuttier flavor profile, perfect for health-conscious bakers.
• Herb-Infused Loaf: Mix dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano directly into the dough for a savory Mediterranean-inspired bread that elevates simple sandwiches.
• Sourdough Starter Alternative: Use a homemade sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast to develop a tangier, more complex flavor with natural fermentation techniques.

Got Bread Questions? Start With These

• Why do I need to activate the yeast before making French bread?

Activating yeast helps ensure it’s alive and working properly. The foamy mixture indicates the yeast is active and ready to help the bread rise, creating a light, airy texture in your final loaf.

• Can I use different types of flour for this French bread recipe?

While traditional French bread uses bread flour or all-purpose flour, you can experiment with up to 25% whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Just keep in mind that too much whole wheat can make the bread denser.

• How do I know if I've kneaded the dough enough?

The dough should become smooth and elastic. When you stretch a small piece, it should form a thin, translucent “windowpane” without tearing, which means the gluten has developed properly.

• Why is it important to let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area?

Consistent warmth helps yeast multiply and produce carbon dioxide, which creates the bread’s characteristic airy texture. A draft can cool the dough and slow down or stop the rising process.

Homemade Bakery French Bread That Smells Like Heaven

• From start to finish, this recipe takes around 2-3 hours, including rising and baking time, perfect for weekend cooking or leisurely afternoons.
• Kids and adults will love the process of kneading dough and watching it transform into a golden, crusty loaf that fills the kitchen with irresistible aroma.
• Serve alongside soups, use for sandwiches, or enjoy warm with butter, making it a go-to recipe for multiple meals and occasions.

What You Need for Homemade Bakery French Bread

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps develop gluten structure for soft, airy bread.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for bread rising and creating delicious flavor. Fresh yeast works best within expiration date.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with bread browning and caramelization.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of the bread with protein for structure. High-quality unbleached flour recommended.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for best results.

• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and helps create soft bread texture. Extra virgin olive oil provides richer flavor.
• Cornmeal: Optional for dusting baking sheet, prevents sticking and adds rustic texture to bread bottom.

Baking Homemade Bakery French Bread Made

Step 1: Activate Yeast Mixture

In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Allow the mixture to rest for 5-10 minutes until it becomes wonderfully foamy and bubbly. If you’re using instant yeast, you can skip this step and blend everything directly in the next step.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• Flour
• Salt
• Activated yeast mixture
• Olive oil

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Create a small well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients start to come together.

Step 3: Knead with Love

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Begin kneading the dough with your hands, pushing and folding it repeatedly. Continue kneading for about 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly springy to the touch.

Step 4: First Rise Magic

Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for approximately 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5: Shape Your Bread

Gently punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Transfer to a floured surface and shape into a long, classic French bread loaf. Use your hands to roll and taper the ends slightly.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place the shaped loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise again for about 30-45 minutes until it becomes puffy.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Using a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf to allow steam to escape during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the bread turns a beautiful golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy your homemade French bread with butter, as a sandwich, or alongside your favorite meal!

Homemade Bakery French Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Crusty French bread emerges from home ovens with golden-brown perfection and irresistible aroma. Simple ingredients and classic techniques create a rustic loaf that transports diners straight to Parisian bakery shelves.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) warm water
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons / 7 grams) active dry yeast

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

Optional Finishing:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small container, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5-10 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt, creating a well in the center for the liquid ingredients.
3. Pour the activated yeast mixture into the flour well, incorporating the liquid gradually to form a shaggy dough.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, developing gluten and creating a smooth, elastic texture.
5. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a damp cloth to prevent surface drying during the first rise.
6. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size, typically taking 60-90 minutes.
7. Gently deflate the risen dough, reshaping it into a long, slender loaf on a baking sheet.
8. Make diagonal slashes across the top of the loaf to allow steam escape and create traditional French bread appearance.
9. Let the shaped loaf undergo a second rise for 30-45 minutes, allowing it to become puffy and light.
10. Preheat the oven to a high temperature, placing a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack to create steam.
11. Bake the bread until golden brown and crusty, with a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
12. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack, allowing the crust to crisp and interior to set.

Notes

• Activate yeast properly by using lukewarm water between 100-110°F, which helps ensure the yeast becomes bubbly and active without killing it.
• For gluten-free variations, replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free flour mix and add xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
• Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area like inside a turned-off oven with the light on to maintain consistent temperature and promote optimal fermentation.
• Use a spray bottle with water to create steam in the oven during baking, which helps develop a crispy, golden-brown crust characteristic of authentic French bread.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg