Easy French Bread Recipe (2024)

The fastest, most delicious, easy peasy french bread recipe IN THE WORLD!! Legit love this easy french bread recipe and have had so many friends say the same and put it in their permanent recipe box! Once you try it you won't be able to stop too!

This bread is quick and will be ready in only about an hour! Bread making can be no joke, it can take hours for kneading, rising, baking but this recipe cuts out all that time and work yet creates a perfectly fluffy, soft french bread with incredible flavor.

How to make perfect fluffy french bread

Start by using a really great yeast. I love this brand saf-instant.

How do I store yeast? How long is Yeast good for?

If you store your yeast in an air tight container in your fridge it will be good for several months. You can always test whether your yeast is still alive and active by sprinkling a little of it in warm water. You can even add a little sugar for the yeast to feed on. If the yeast foams and bubbles then its still active and ready use in your bread.

How to add dry ingredients to bread dough

1. Mix in the sugar and salt with the warm water. The sugar helps to feed the yeast before adding in loads of flour.

Slowly add your dry ingredients, while mixing with your dough hook. Add the first 4 cups one at a time, allowing it to knead together. *If you want to add in herbs for a rustic herb french bread add them in now.Add the next two cups very slowly- ½ cup at a time, then let it knead for a few minutes, then add another ½ cup. You want to add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides.DON'T over flour it or the bread will turn out dry. Just add flour till it pulls away from the sides.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY DOUGH IS TOO STICKY?

Weather, humidity, temperature and altitude always play apart in baking and bread. If you are making bread on a cool humid rainy day your bread might be overly sticky and won't rise as fast as it would in a dry warm climate. If this is the case and you dough feels too sticky slowly add more flour, ¼ cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides. Again DON'T over flour to the bread will turn out dry. You want the dough to just barely pull away from the sides, but have a nice shine.

How to make bread loaves

1. Divide the dough into two even balls and hand shape them into two smooth dough cylinders.
2. Place on a greased cookie sheet or parchment paper. Have you tried these parchment paper sheets? I love them!

*if you want to make these with a delicious herb flavor roll the dough in chopped herbs.

3. Take a sharp smooth knife (not serrated)and cut shallow slits on the top of your bread diagonally.

Allow bread loaves to rise for 20 minutes, or until they double in size. If your kitchen is cool they make take a little longer to rise.

Pro tip:To help keep them warm place a clean dish towel over them or set them next to a window with sun.

Bake them for about 25 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Then take your melted butter and brush the beautiful golden crust with it.

You'll find this homemade easy french read recipe has the most delicious crusty crust and soft, fluffy inside. Adding the herbs makes you feel like you're sitting in a delicious cafe, dipping it in balsamic vinegar and the finest olive oil. Which, I totally did, after taking one bite.

Want to make a french baguette?

You can totally take this recipe and turn it into a homemade baguette! just divide the dough into 4 loaves and roll them skinner and longer! adjust the cooking time, cook just until they're golden brown.

What to serve this with?

We love to serve it with all of our soups or chilis! It's also great with this lentil bruschetta or make it for a bruschetta bar!

Make this recipe?

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