Homemade French Bread Recipe – Easy, Bakery-Style Loaf

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier with good fats.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: agave syrup

Honey adds natural sweetness.

yeast

🥗Healthier: sourdough starter

💰Cheaper: instant yeast

Sourdough adds depth of flavor.

Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer and stir to dissolve. If using active dry yeast, let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.

Add the flour, salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix with the dough hook on low speed until the dough comes together, adding small amounts of extra flour only if the dough feels too sticky.

Let the dough rest for 10–15 minutes. If extra flour was added, mix briefly again to help the dough come together smoothly.

Coat the dough with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, cover the bowl, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each into a rectangle, then roll tightly into a log about 12–14 inches long, keeping the ends slightly thinner.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the loaves seam side down. Score each loaf several times on a diagonal and brush lightly with the egg wash. You can score and egg wash after the second rise if preferred as well. The bread will have a more of a shiny appearance.

Cover with greased plastic wrap and let the loaves rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the loaves for 22–25 minutes or until lightly golden and the centers reach 190°F.

For a softer crust, rub a stick of butter over the warm bread right after baking.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens