Quick French Bread Recipe

This quick French bread recipe is the perfect addition to any meal with just a few minutes of hands-on time to make two tasty loaves.

In addition to being delicious, this easy French bread recipe is great for meal preps, freezing for later, and having on hand any time you’re craving that homemade taste!

What You’ll Need to Make this Quick French Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• All Purpose Flour (white flour)
• Active Dry Yeast
• Salt
• Warm Water
• Beaten egg (for the egg wash)

Tools

• Measuring cups/spoons
• Large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer
• Kitchen Aid mixer (optional)
• Sharp knife/bread knife
• Baking sheet

How to Make this Quick French Bread Recipe

1. Proof the yeast

Heat the water for 30 seconds in the microwave so that it is warm, not hot, to the touch.

Note: avoid using HOT water so that you don’t kill your yeast.

Add the yeast and stir to combine.

Allow the yeast and water to proof for 5 minutes in a warm place until foamy.

2. Combine the ingredients

While the yeast is foaming, combine the flour and salt in the mixing bowl.

Create a well in the center of the flour and add the water and yeast mixture.

3. Knead the dough

If using a Kitchen Aid mixer, use the dough hook to roughly combine the ingredients before using the mixer.

Using the dough hook attachment, use the Kitchen Aid mixer to knead the dough until combined and smooth. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl.

If mixing by hand, combine with a wooden spoon until just combined. Then, knead for 5-10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth.

Note: If the dough is so sticky that it is impossible to work with, add 1-2 Tablespoons of flour until it is manageable, but avoid adding too much flour. A slightly wet/sticky dough with less flour is better than a dry dough.

Cover with a tea towel and let the dough rise for 30 minutes at room temperature, or doubled in size.

4. Prep the loaves

Once the dough has risen, turn out the dough and cut into two equal pieces.

Preheat the oven and the sheet pan to 425 degrees while you prepare your French breads. The baking sheet preheating in the hot oven will give a nice crust to the bottom of your loaves while the bread bakes.

Gently flatten/stretch the dough into a rectangle (about 12 inches by 6 inches).

Roll the flattened bread dough into a baguette shape and pinch the seams and ends.

Place the French breads seam end down on a sheet of parchment paper.

Using a sharp knife or razor blade, slash three diagonal cuts across the width of the top of the dough.

Beat an egg for an egg wash.

Brush the top of each loaf with the egg wash.

Take the preheated baking sheet out of the oven and hold it next to the counter to slide the parchment with the dough onto the baking sheet.

5. Bake the loaves

Bake the French bread for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Take care not to open the oven door until the timer is up so that the steam remains in the oven to ensure your loaves get a crispy crust.

Allow the warm french bread to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

How to Serve French Bread

Fresh bread is something that is endlessly versatile in our meal rotation.

A few of our favorite options are:

• Buttered slices alongside a bowl of soup like my old-fashioned chicken noodle soup.
• Topped with garlic butter to make garlic bread.
• French Bread Pizza: sliced lengthwise and topped with sauce and cheese
• French toast: sliced and battered in an egg wash, served with my homemade whipped cream.
• Sub buns: fill with your favorite sandwich fillings and toasted until warm.

How Long does French Bread Last?

This homemade French bread recipe will stay fresh for up to a week if stored in a plastic bag with the air removed.

If you find that the bread is getting a bit stale or stiff, I have a trick that may seem strange, but really does work!

To refresh your French bread loaves, run the loaf under running water for a few seconds, wrap in aluminum foil, then bake on the rack of your oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until warmed through.

Can you Freeze this Quick French Bread Recipe?

Yes! If you know that you aren’t going to use both loaves quickly, consider freezing one of your fresh bread loaves right away.

To freeze, wrap the homemade bread in a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap and seal inside a ziplock freezer bag.

Be sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible. Air is the enemy of frozen foods!

These loaves will last in the freezer, stored properly, for up to 6 months.

They won’t necessarily “go bad” in the freezer, but after 6 months they just might not reheat as nicely.

How to Reheat this Quick French Bread Recipe?

Frozen baked good reheat best when thawed.

The day before you want to use one of your frozen loaves of French bread, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator or on the counter.

To reheat, place the loaf directly on the rack in your oven and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees or until warmed through.