Make Homemade, Easy French Bread – Baguette

Catching a whiff of freshly baked bread instantly makes my kitchen smell like a bakery, and it’s a smell that lifts my spirit.   The golden, crisp crust and the fluffy inside of this easy French bread will make you wonder where this recipe has been all your life.  

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Sure, there are more complicated recipes and that is why most of us pick this bread up at the grocery store. With this easy French bread recipe, you will be recreating the magic in your kitchen with no special equipment!!

When I asked my sister Annette, who bakes frequently, if she had a French bread recipe, I knew she’d come through with something for me to try. She told me she had two versions: a longer, more traditional recipe and a quicker one from a German Instagrammer, Norbert Heller. She told me that she usually makes this version “cuz it’s so quick.” Since quick and easy is right up my alley, I use that version.

Every time I make it, I’m amazed by how simple it is and how little “hands-on” time it requires. His Instagram post only provided the measured ingredients, so the instructions to make the bread came from my sister and my own tweaks.

Here are some reasons to make homemade French baguettes:

​Freshness:  Nothing beats straight from the oven flavor.

Simple Ingredients:  Four simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Customizable:  It is so easy to make it your own by adding some herbs or garlic.

Satisfying: Nothing brings more joy than being able to take a few simple ingredients and make something so tasty.

Easy: This recipe requires little “hands-on” time and as I mentioned before it takes no special equipment.

​French bread vs. baguettes

While both French bread and French baguettes originate from the same tradition of rustic, crusty loaves, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. 

French bread is a broad term that includes various shapes and sizes, usually with a soft crust and versatile shape. 

On the other hand, French baguettes are iconic for their long, thin shape and crispy, golden crust. They are typically lighter and airier inside, with a chewy texture that makes them a favorite for tearing and eating fresh. The dough is a very wet, sticky dough.

Easy French bread recipe

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Ingredients you will need

Flour – All-purpose flour works great for this recipe, but you could use bread flour.  I have looked at many baguette recipes, and one thing is clear – there is no consensus on whether all-purpose or bread flour is truly the breadwinner!😂 Some say the high protein of bread flour is better for the perfect chewy crust. Others claim that all-purpose flour is the perfect balance of flavor and airiness. I have tried both, and the results are wonderful either way. 

Salt – Use fine sea salt or non-iodized table salt. If you only have iodized table salt, you could use it. It will slightly change the flavor, but it is generally unnoticeable. Iodized salt can also potentially slow down yeast activity.

Water – Use lukewarm water, about 105-110 degrees F. This will help activate the yeast without killing it. 

Honey – I like to use honey, but this can be substituted with table sugar.

Yeast – Use active dry yeast to give the bread the perfect rise. Do not use instant yeast.

Equipment needed

• Large Bowl 
• Wooden spoon, spatula, or dough whisk. A dough whisk is not needed, but a dough whisk is designed to mix thick, sticky doughs without overworking them, thanks to its open, looped wire design. 
• Baking Sheet
• Saran wrap or a clean kitchen towel
• Sharp knife or razor blade
• Baking pan for hot water – I usually use a cake pan.
• Optional: scale, parchment paper or silicone baking mat, baguette pan, bread lame tool

Instructions to make this easy French bread baguette recipe

Start by dissolving the yeast in the warm water. Add the honey, stir, and let sit for about 5 minutes. You will know your yeast is active when it is frothy. If nothing happens, your yeast might be old and expired, or the water was too hot or cold.

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In the large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Slowly add the yeast mixture while stirring it. This will be a shaggy dough, meaning that it will be lumpy and uneven but mixed well enough for no dry flour spots.

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Cover the bowl with saran wrap or a clean kitchen towel that has been slightly dampened and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours. I usually do this in an unheated oven with just the oven light on.

After 2 hours, preheat the oven to 500°. DO NOT forget to remove the bowl from the oven if that is where you are letting it rise. I mention this from experience!😒 Add the empty baking pan (you will add hot water to it when ready to bake) to the bottom of the oven.

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Preheat a cup or two of water (using a kettle or microwave).

Prepare the baking sheet by adding a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. If you don’t have either one, then grease and flour the baking pan.

Turn the dough out on a heavily floured surface. Divide the dough in half and shape two loaves into a rectangular shape. Fold the edges into the center and pinch the seams closed. The dough is a wet dough so keep your hands well-floured when transferring the shaped loaves to the prepared baking sheet. Let the loaves rest while the oven finishes preheating.

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Once the oven is preheated to 500°F, slice the loaves at an angle with a sharp knife, razor, or lame in three spots. This will allow the bread to rise quickly without splitting it. Place the bread into the hot oven on the middle rack. Add a hot cup of water to the pan on the bottom rack (carefully – this will create a burst of HOT steam). The steam will produce that wonderful crackly crust. Close the oven door and reduce the heat to 475°. Bake the loaves for 12 minutes. Remove the hot water pan, reduce the heat to 450°, and finish baking for another 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

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Cool, and enjoy your fresh bread! This is the hard part – let the loaves cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

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Fresh French baguettes are best eaten fresh, which is never a problem in our household. But if you do have bread left over, store it in a linen bread bag or a paper bag, or wrap it in a clean, dry kitchen towel and store it at room temperature.

What is the best way to freeze and reheat a frozen baguette?

The bread can also be frozen with no problem for up to 3 months. Wrap the loaves in plastic wrap, then foil and freeze.  

When ready to use, here are a few steps for best results:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Lightly brush the frozen loaf with water to help create a crispy crust.
3. Bake the frozen baguette for 15-20 minutes.
4. Watch the baking bread closely to ensure it does not burn.

Easy French bread baguettes can be enjoyed in a variety of delicious ways!

Here are some of the best ways to use them:

1. As Sandwich Bread: Slice your baguette into thin or thick pieces and fill it with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments.
2. With Butter and Jam: Slice the baguette and serve it with butter, jam, or honey.
3. Swiss Cheese Fondue: Cut into chunks to dip into cheese fondue. Get my authentic Swiss cheese fondue recipe.
4. To Dip: Use baguette slices to soak up soups, stews, or flavorful sauces.  This is my husband’s favorite way to eat this fresh bread. It’s especially perfect for dunking into my from-scratch homemade tomato soup — crispy crust, soft center, and a cozy bowl are a hard combo to beat.
5. For Garlic Bread: Spread garlic butter (mixed with herbs) over sliced baguette pieces and toast them in the oven until crispy.
6. For French Toast:  Slice the baguettes into thick diagonal slices to make the best French toast ever.
7. As Croutons: Cube the baguette and bake in the oven with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and dried herbs to use in soups and salads.
8. For Bread Pudding: Use leftover baguettes to make a delicious bread pudding by soaking bread chunks in custard and baking until golden.
9. For Bruschetta: Slice the baguette and toast or grill it. Rub the toasted bread with garlic and top with extra-virgin olive oil, tomatoes, and salt.
10. Caprese Salad: Delicious served with a simple Caprese salad to dunk in the oil and vinegar dressing. It is one of our favorite ways to eat baguettes. Try my simple Caprese salad with onion.

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​Sure, there are fancier recipes out there, but let’s be honest—those often require more effort and time. With this simple recipe, you can recreate bakery magic right in your own kitchen; no fancy equipment is needed. Embrace the simplicity, and enjoy the satisfaction of baking something this delicious from scratch. Bon appétit!

More simple bread recipes you might enjoy

• Sweet and Moist Cornbread Baked in Browned Butter
  
• Irish Soda Bread – Its Origin and a Simple, Quick Recipe
  
• So Easy! Guinness Stout Beer Bread (No yeast, No Rise!)
  

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