This easy French bread recipe produces a crusty artisan-style loaf with a soft, airy interior using simple pantry ingredients like bread flour, yeast, water, and salt. Perfect for beginners and home bakers, this homemade French bread is made with a bread machine dough cycle and baked in the oven for a golden, bakery-style finish. Ideal for sandwiches, soups, or side dishes, this crusty French bread loaf delivers authentic bakery results at home. A popular choice among easy bread recipes, homemade bread ideas, and artisan bread baking, it offers a simple way to prepare fresh, warm bread with a crisp crust and soft crumb.

Ingredients

For the bread:

1 ¼ cups very warm water
3 ½ cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)

Optional egg wash (for a golden crust):

1 large egg
1 tablespoon water

Instructions

Add ingredients to your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer (typically liquids first, then dry ingredients).
Select the dough setting (or basic dough cycle if no French bread option is available) and start the machine.
Once the dough cycle is complete, preheat your oven to 175°F (80°C). When it reaches temperature, turn it off. This will be used as a warm place for the dough to rise.
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each piece into a long loaf (about 12 inches).
Place the shaped dough on a greased baking sheet and make 3 shallow slashes on top of each loaf.
Cover loosely with a clean towel and place in the warm oven to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Remove the loaves and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
If using egg wash, whisk together egg and water, then gently brush over the loaves for a glossy golden crust.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the bread is golden brown.
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool before slicing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This homemade French bread has a crisp golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. It uses simple ingredients and a bread machine to make the process easier, making it a great option for fresh homemade bread without complicated steps.

Tips

Make sure your water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
Let the dough rise in a warm (but turned-off) oven for consistent results.
Do not skip slashing the top of the dough—it helps the bread expand properly while baking.
Rotate the pan during baking for even browning.

Variations and Substitutions

Replace bread flour with all-purpose flour (texture will be slightly less chewy).
Add garlic powder or herbs like rosemary for extra flavor.
Brush with melted butter instead of egg wash for a softer crust.
Shape into smaller rolls instead of full loaves for dinner rolls.

FAQs

Can I make this without a bread machine?
Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer.

Why didn’t my bread rise?
Your yeast may be expired or the water may have been too hot or too cold.

Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze shaped dough before the final rise and bake later.

How do I get a crispier crust?
Place a small dish of water in the oven while baking to create steam.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with butter or olive oil.
Pair with soups, stews, or pasta dishes.
Use for sandwiches or garlic bread.
Great for breakfast with jam or honey.