Easy Homemade French Bread

Just 6 Simple Ingredients!🍞✨

Crispy crust, soft center, and no fancy techniques required

There’s something incredibly satisfying about pulling a loaf of homemade French bread out of the oven. The crackly crust, the soft and fluffy inside, and the fact that it was made with just a handful of basic ingredients makes it feel extra special.

This homemade French bread is one of those recipes that proves baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be impressive. No special equipment, no overnight ferment, no stress — just six simple ingredients and a little patience. It’s perfect for beginners, weeknight dinners, soup nights, or slicing up for sandwiches.

Once you make this loaf, you’ll realize how easy homemade bread can be.

Why You’ll Love This Bread

• Only 6 pantry ingredients

• Soft, fluffy interior with a crisp crust

• Perfect for beginners

• No special shaping skills needed

• Delicious fresh, toasted, or as garlic bread

• Makes your house smell amazing

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups warm water

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon yeast

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 6 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt (optional but recommended)

How to Make Homemade French Bread

1. Activate the yeast

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy and bubbly. This step tells you the yeast is alive and ready to work.

2. Make the dough

Stir in the olive oil and salt. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Knead by hand or in a stand mixer for 6–8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

3. First rise

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape the loaf

Punch the dough down and shape it into a long loaf or divide it into two smaller loaves. I prefer to do two loaves, one loaf is very large! Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Second rise

Cover loosely and let rise for 20–30 minutes, until slightly puffy.

6. Score the bread

Using a sharp knife or razor blade, make 3 shallow slashes across the top of the loaf. This helps the bread expand properly while baking and gives it that classic French bread look. Optional egg wash one egg beaten and gently put over the loaf on the top of the bread. This step is recommended if you prefer a deeper crust.

7. Bake

Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.

8. Cool (if you can!)

Let the bread cool slightly before slicing so the inside sets properly — though warm slices with butter are hard to resist.

Tips for the Best French Bread

• Make sure your water is warm, not hot (about 105–110°F)

• Don’t add too much flour — a soft dough makes better bread

• Scoring is important for texture and appearance

• For extra crustiness, place a small oven-safe dish of water in the oven while baking

How to Serve French Bread

• With butter and jam

• Alongside soup or pasta

• As garlic bread

• For sandwiches

• Toasted the next day

Simple Bread, Big Reward

This homemade French bread is proof that you don’t need complicated recipes or specialty ingredients to make something truly delicious. It’s simple, reliable, and one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

Lauren Morgan

Weeknight Homemaker