This French bread recipe is absolutely delicious! And you won’t believe how easy it is to make your own baguette or loaf right at home. Not only is it easy, but it will leave your house smelling just like a professional bakery. I have to warn you though, that once you make this homemade bread, you won’t be able to stop.

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Why We Love This Homemade French Bread Recipe
I’ve made this French bread recipe many times. Each time, though, I feel like I learn more about the process.
One of the best things about making your own bread is that you know exactly what’s in it. No preservatives or chemicals. In fact, the only ingredients are yeast, water, oil, flour, a little sugar, and salt.
I make this French bread recipe right in my Kitchenaid stand mixer.
After a little trial and error, I’ve learned it is best to use the flat mixing attachment until I’ve added all the flour, then change over to the dough kneading hook for kneading it.
Initially, I used my steam oven and the pans shown below to bake my bread since I didn’t have a French bread baking pan.
I tried finding French bread pans that would be short enough to go into my convection steam oven but wasn’t able to. So, now I bake my loaves in a French bread baking pan (the pans I use are linked) in the regular oven.
Love French bread? Try my French sourdough bread recipe!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Active dry yeast
- Sugar
- Oil
- Salt
- All-purpose flour
How to Make Easy French Bread
Use filtered water warmed in a microwave for about 1 minute. The temperature should be about 95ºF to 100ºF degrees (baby bottle warm).
Mix the water, yeast, and sugar in a mixing bowl, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

Even if using instant yeast, take this step to make sure your yeast is fresh and active. This is how it should look after 5-10 minutes.

Then, place the bowl in the stand mixer and add the beater hook. Add the oil and salt and mix it for a moment. After that, add the flour one cup at a time, mixing well between each cup.

After mixing all the flour (usually 5 cups), attach the kneading dough hook attachment and knead the dough well. When the dough pulls from the wall of the bowl and has a smooth appearance, it’s ready for the first rise.
This takes at least 5 minutes.

Wondering if you have kneaded the dough enough?
Grab a handful of dough and stretch it. The properly kneaded dough should stretch several inches without tearing.
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The dough should be smooth, like the inside of your cheek.
If the dough meets these tests, you are ready to let the dough rise.
Cover the bowl with a towel or dinner plate for about an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

After the first rise, punch the dough down a few times and let it rise again for 30 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface.

Cut the dough in half, in two equal portions. Roll each half into a long, thin loaf. Place it in your baking pan and make three slits or diagonal cuts using a razor blade in the dough. Let it rise for 20 minutes. Brush it with egg wash using a mixture of egg whites and water before placing in the oven.

Bake until the loaves are golden and sound hollow when tapped.
How easy was that? Once you start making this bread, you won’t want to stop. It’s just so good and easy to make.

Serving Suggestions
This homemade French bread pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes and can be served alongside soups, salads, or hearty stews to soak up flavorful broths. It’s perfect with a creamy tomato basil or French onion soup for a classic combination, or paired with a fresh Caesar or mixed green salad for a lighter option.
For a heartier meal, French bread complements pasta dishes like spaghetti Bolognese or salmon Alfredo. You can also serve it with a cheese and charcuterie board. Accompanied by olive oil, pesto vinegar, and herbs for dipping. Making it an ideal addition to any meal or appetizer spread.
Recipe FAQs
To store homemade French bread, wrap it tightly in a clean kitchen towel and keep it at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, place it in an airtight bag or container and freeze it; it’ll stay fresh for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it at room temperature and warm it in the oven for a few minutes to bring back its crisp crust.
Yes, you can use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for homemade French bread. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which creates more gluten and results in a chewier, slightly denser loaf—ideal for rustic French bread. Just be prepared for a slightly different texture but still a delicious outcome!
Yes, you can definitely add garlic to homemade French bread! Try mixing finely minced or crushed garlic directly into the dough, or brush the loaf with garlic-infused butter just before baking for a subtle garlic flavor. Either method will give your bread a warm, savory twist. You may also check our sourdough garlic toast recipe.
Yes, you can use a baking sheet. Just shape the dough into long, narrow loaves, place them on a lightly floured or parchment-lined baking sheet, and allow space between loaves for rising. To get a nice crust, add a pan of water to the oven for steam, or lightly mist the loaves with water before baking.

Consider Making These Other Baked Recipes…
- Quick Burger Bun Recipe
- Twisty Bread with Pesto and Cheese
- Recipe for Pumpkin Spice Bread
- Chocolate Chip Sourdough Bread
If you tried this French bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Easy French Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 5 – 5 ½ cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with the sugar. Wait 5-10 minutes for the yeast to activate and bubble up.
- Add oil and salt to yeast mixture. Mix well. Add flour, one cup at a time, kneading well in between. Knead until smooth and elastic. If you are using a mixer, the dough will pull away from the walls of the bowl and look like a ball. Don't add too much flour or the dough will become dry.
- Cover the dough with a dish towel or inverted plate and let rise until doubled in size, about one hour.
- Punch dough down and recover. Let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Remove dough from bowl and place onto countertop lightly dusted with flour. Divide dough in half and gently roll each half into a long skinny loaf. Carefully lay the loaf onto a french bread pan or cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal. With a sharp knife, make 3-4 slashes diagonally on each loaf.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise a third time, for 25 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Lightly brush loaves with a mixture of egg white and 1 tsp of water. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Kristine says
Thank you for making this so easy! I followed your instructions to the T and the bread is 10/10! Great recipe!
Ann says
We are bread obsessed in my household. Always trying to find the perfect recipe. Thanks!
Lubna says
I am looking for French bread recipes and landed here. This recipe is awesome. Clear steps and wonderfully explained.
TAYLER ROSS says
Your instructions were so clear and I loved the short ingredient list. My bread turned out fantastic- nothing like the smell of fresh basked bread!
Dina and Bruce says
This was so good! The smell in the house was amazing!