Homemade French Bread from scratch is easier than you might think, and the results are absolutely worth it! This is a great bread made with basic pantry ingredients that goes with almost any meal, but especially with pastas, soups, and salads.
Where are my bread lovers at?
Whether you're enjoying a Thai chicken salad, a beautiful plate of Dairy-Free Instant Pot Tuscan chicken pasta, or a hearty, satisfying Instant Pot lentil soup, this Homemade French Bread is the perfect side dish to serve.
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🥖 Why you'll love this homemade French bread
Making bread from scratch is easier than you might think! While it does take more time than buying store-bought bread, the little bit of extra work is absolutely worth it.
And this French bread recipe is so simple and versatile. I think you're gonna love it as much as my family does!
- Homemade bread is healthier. You just need 4 basic pantry ingredients plus water. No extra ingredients that the store brand breads have.
- It's less expensive. Making bread from scratch saves you money, and we all love that, right?
- You can adjust the shape of the bread to suit your needs. For instance, when I made the loaves for these photos, I made them specifically with French Bread Pizza made in the air fryer in mind. So, I shaped mine wider and a little flatter than I normally would. Normally, I would shape my loaves to be a little narrower and have more of a dome top.
- This bread freezes well. That means you can make a batch or two (or three!) and freeze some loaves for later.
🧂Recipe ingredients
You probably already have all of the ingredients you need to make this French bread!
- All-purpose flour
- Yeast - use active dry yeast.
- Honey
- Salt - I use kosher, but you can use table salt if you prefer.
- Water
✅ Step-by-step instructions
- In a medium bowl or glass measuring cup (like the one pictured above), add the yeast, honey, and ½ cup of warm water around 110°F. Stir gently to combine then allow to sit as the yeast is activated, rises, and foams, around 5 minutes (see second picture above for how much it can rise).
2. In a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, add the flour and salt. Mix together. Then slowly add up to 1 cup of warm water (you may not need all of it) and mix until the dough comes together in a ball. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until the dough easily forms a ball and is not too sticky to the touch.
3. Lightly grease the inside of a large bowl with the olive oil. Transfer the dough ball into the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and allow to rest and rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. This takes around 25 minutes.
4. Remove the dough ball from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface.
5. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down on a lightly floured surface and divide it in half.
6. Shape the dough into flat rectangles.
7. Working one at a time, fold in the top and bottom toward the middle. Seal the seam with your fingers. Then continue folding in the top and bottom toward the middle and sealing the seams until you get a loaf that is about 12 inches long and about 2 to 3 inches wide. Repeat with the other loaf.
Place bread loaves seam sides down onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rest and rise until about double in size, which takes around 25 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Once the French bread loaves have doubled in size, use a serrated knife to make a few small slices on the top of each loaf. This will help the bread rise evenly.
9. Once the oven is preheated, working quickly but carefully, remove the towel from the bread and place the baking sheet in the middle rack.
Place a baking sheet on the lower rack and quickly - but carefully! - place the ice cubes onto the lower baking sheet.
Close the oven door immediately and allow to bake for 15 minutes, or until the tops and sides of the French bread loaves are a nice golden brown.
❓Recipe FAQs
The main difference between French bread and baguettes is the size and shape. French bread tends to be wider and have less of a domed top, although some bakers do make French bread in this style as well. Baguettes are the most common type of French bread; they are simply longer and narrower.
The best French bread starts with the best ingredients. Use the highest quality flour you can afford.
Allow the bread to cool completely, then store in a breadbox or in a ziplock bag for 2 to 3 days. You can also freeze French bread: allow it to cool, then store in freezer-safe ziplock bags or airtight containers for up to two months.
🍽 What to serve with homemade French bread
French bread is a wonderful side dish to serve at almost ANY meal! One of our favorite ways to enjoy this french bread recipe: in Air Fryer French Bread Pizza. SO good!
It's fantastic for soaking up the yummy flavors of One Pot Lasagna Soup, Instant Pot Turkey & 3-Bean Chili, or Sausage Tortellini Soup.
Or enjoy sliced French bread with pasta dishes like Pasta with Clams and White Wine Sauce, Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi, or even this hearty Cajun Shrimp Pasta.
🥘 Kitchen tools and equipment
Baking Sheets - You will need two baking sheets: one to bake the French bread loaves, and a second to place on the rack below the bread to hold the ice cubes that will help create steam that will create the nice crusty exterior.
More bread recipes
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Homemade French Bread
Ingredients
- 1½ Tablespoons active dry yeast (about 2 packets if using packets)
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1½ cup warm water, divided
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting and possibly more for dough, as needed
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 5-6 ice cubes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the yeast, honey, and ½ cup of warm water around 110°F. Stir gently to combine then allow to sit as the yeast is activated, rises, and foams, around 5 minutes.
- In a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, add the flour and salt. Mix together. Then slowly add up to 1 cup of warm water (you may not need all of it) and mix until the dough comes together in a ball. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until the dough easly forms a ball and is not too sticky to the touch.
- Lightly grease the inside of a large bowl with the olive oil. Transfer the dough ball into the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and allow to rest and rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. This takes around 25 minutes.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down on a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Then shape the loaves into flat rectangles. Working one at a time, fold in the top and bottom toward the middle. Seal the seam with your fingers. Then continue folding in the top and bottom toward the middle and sealing the seams until you get a French bread loaf that is about 12 inches long and about 2 inches wide. Repeat with the other dough.
- Place bread loaves seam sides down onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rest and rise until about double in size, which takes around 25 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Once the the loaves have doubled in size and the oven is preheated, working quickly but carefully, remove the towel from the loaves and place the baking sheet in the middle rack. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack and quickly - but carefully! - place the ice cubes onto the lower baking sheet. Close the oven door immediately and allow to bake for 15 minutes, or until the tops and sides of the French bread loaves are a nice golden brown.
Notes
- If your oven has a glass window in the oven door, cover it with a towel when you place the ice cubes onto the baking sheet just in case any stray ice leaps onto the window, which could cause the glass to shatter.
- No matter how tempting it is, do NOT open the oven door while the bread is baking. Check on it by using the oven light.
- You can sprinkle some cornmeal onto the parchment paper lining the baking sheet before the loaves go through their second rise, if you wish. This helps them not stick to the parchment paper, but also adds a nice crust to the bottom of the bread loaves when they bake. Totally optional, though.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Tayler Ross says
You just can't beat homemade bread, and this is one of my favorite recipes! It turned out perfectly and I can't wait to make it again!
Mairead says
Crusty French bread is the best, and this homemade bread recipe ticks all the boxes for me. Simply delicious!
Kelley says
This bread looks amazing and has a perfect crust! Can't wait to give this bread a try thank you!
Qashang says
I have always been scared of trying out bread-making at home but your recipe is spot on. My entire family enjoyed it!
Cara says
Loved this crusty French bread. We eat baguettes all the time, this is such a great alternative to the grocery store kind!