French bread is easy to make using a bread machine. Mix up this simple bread recipe in a bread maker then bake in the oven for a crispy crust.
Homemade French Bread that can be done in one afternoon using a bread machine. A crusty crust on the outside and light airy bread on the inside.
This is the perfect bread to serve with our classic spaghetti with meat sauce or our healthy Tuscan chicken pasta that's made in the Instant Pot.
This French bread loaf makes the best garlic bread recipe. I love to make a loaf and use it for our French garlic cheese toast recipe or for our spinach artichoke garlic bread.
Crusty French Bread Recipe
A couple of years ago I bought a bread machine for the first time. My food processor is a Cuisinart so I thought I would go with a bread machine from them as well and I absolutely love it.
The bread maker came with a recipe book. French bread is the first bread I learned how to make in the bread maker using the recipe that was in that cookbook.
However, like most of the recipes, I came across there were some changes that I wanted to make. The changes were simple but effective in creating a delicious French loaf.
Into the bread machine loaf pan, add the following in order. Water, salt, sugar, bread flour, and yeast. This recipe will make a 2-pound loaf, you can split the finished dough into smaller loaves if you like.
For this recipe, I chose to use it all as one loaf, of course, you could make two loaves if you like.
Once you have all the ingredients in the loaf pan then you will need to set your bread machine for the dough setting. For my bread maker, it's number 10~ dough/pizza dough setting.
I also made sure that my dough size was set for the 2-pound size. I didn't worry about setting for the darkness of the bread since I would be baking it in the oven.
This is what it looks like once it has been mixed and risen in the bread maker. I have found when removing the dough from the bread maker's pan the paddle will stick to the dough.
If you plan on baking in the bread maker I do recommend removing the dough to get the paddle out or else you will have a hole at the bottom of your bread.
How To Sahpe A French Loaf For A Crispy Crust
Once the bread maker has done all the work of mixing and the first rising. Place the dough on a floured surface and punch the dough down. Cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
Now that the dough has rested for 10 minutes it's time to shape the dough. I chose to make it all into one loaf, you can make multiple baguettes if you like.
The baking time may be different than the time I used for this size loaf. Further down in this article, I'll share with you a trick on how to tell if the baguettes are done.
After I shaped the dough I placed it on a cookie sheet that had been dusted with cornmeal. My cookie sheet also had a silicone liner but the cornmeal will help to prevent the dough from sticking to the cookie sheet.
Dusting the top of the dough loaf with flour, I placed plastic wrap loosely over the dough and let it rest for 30-40 minutes.
Baking French Bread For The Ultimate Crispy Crust
To get a crispy crust to French bread while baking in the oven. I like to place a baking dish with water in the oven.
As the oven preheats so will the baking dish full of water, helping to create steam. The steam will give the crust crispiness.
As the dough is resting for the final time, I placed a baking dish with water in the oven. Preheated my oven to 425℉.
Once the dough has rested for that 30-40 minutes I took a bread knife and cut diagonal slashes in the loaf about ¼ of an inch deep.
Placing the loaf into that preheated 425℉ oven I baked it for 25-30 minutes. The bread will be a beautiful brown color to it.
A good way to see if the bread is also done in the inside it tap on it and if it sounds hollow then it is done.
This is the recipe I use to make my French Garlic Cheese Toast. Sometimes we will put a little olive oil in dipping bowls with Italian seasoning.
Then we dip our bread machine French bread into the olive oil and seasoning mixture. Or spread our recipe for Herb butter with garlic on the slices. Yum!!
My Creative Manner is answering the question "What's there to eat" with simple recipe creations~ Jen
More easy recipes you may enjoy:
Bread Machine French Bread
Homemade French bread that can be done in one afternoon using a bread machine. A crusty crust on the outside and light airy bread on the inside.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Water 80-90℉
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Sugar
- 4 Cups Bread Flour
- 2 ¼ Teaspoon Yeast
Instructions
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Add all the ingredients in the order that they are listed into the bread machine loaf pan. Making sure that your kneading paddle is in place.
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Set menu to dough/pizza cycle. Choose loaf size for a 2-pound loaf. And press start. For kneading and raising in the bread machine it should take about 1 hour and 35 minutes.
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Place dough onto a floured surface and punch it down to deflate and let rest for 10 minutes.
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Shape dough into baguette form (I made one large loaf but you can cut your dough in half and make two smaller baguettes) and place on a baking sheet that had been dusted with cornmeal.
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Cover the loaf loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 30-40 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 425℉ on a lower oven rack place a baking dish that has water in it. This will help give the bread a nice crusty crust.
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Dust the top of the dough with flour and make diagonal slashes in dough about ¼ of an inch deep.
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Place in the 425℉ for 25-30 minutes or until browned and hollow sounding when tapped on.
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Cool completely and cut with a bread knife.
Recipe Notes
The nutritional value may vary depending on the ingredients used.
Thank you for visiting My Creative Manner. We hope that you enjoy this and many more of our recipes. My Creative Manner is not responsible for the outcome of any of our recipes found on our website. Or that may be linked from or to other websites. The desired outcome of these recipes may not be achieved due to several factors, including ingredients, equipment, errors/typos, or the reader's individual cooking skills.
Sarah
I have wanted to try my hand at making french bread for a while now and this has reminded me of that. The recipe looks pretty easy and I look forward to giving it a try. This will also give me a good reason to dust off my bread machine, poo thing has been neglected lately.
Jennifer
This is a great recipe to try. Hope you like it. Thank you for stopping by
Jennifer L Hollowell
Since the stay at home order, I pulled out my bread machine and looked for recipes for french bread. I found one that said to let it rise for 12 hours! I know I'm not super busy, but really, I ain't got time for that! Then I found this. Followed it to a T and it is absolutely wonderful. (If you can't get to it immediately you can punch it down and leave it in the bread machine until you can get to it.)
I bought a french loaf pan years ago and this is the first time I've used it. I'm still learning to form the loaves but I'm getting better at each go. Have made it 5-6x now (Yes, I'm about out of bread flour) and it's been great each time. The family all loves it. We usually inhale one of the loaves the first day; I cut the other into two and freeze. They defrost and heat up beautifully.
Tried one time with regular flour and it was a flop; they came out like clubs. Really, I could bash someone's head open with the baton. Will make bread crumbs out of it.
Thanks for the great recipe! It's a winner. And the house smells so good while the bread is baking!
Jennifer
I'm thrilled to hear that you love this recipe. What a great way to put your French loaf pan to use. I also love the smell of fresh baking bread filling the house. Thank you for sharing how much you enjoy this recipe.
Claudia Altenhofen
First time making French bread in my bread machine. I used regular flour because that’s all I had, and my two loaves were perfect! I.used them for making French Dips, and I will never go back to store bought baguettes again. I love your idea of a hot pan of water in the oven for baking. Worked like a charm. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
The bread maker is a game changer that is for sure. Since you love this recipe you should try our recipe for French Garlic Cheese Toast. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. https://www.mycreativemanner.com/2018/06/28/french-garlic-cheese-toast
Sara
Made this tonight with dinner and it is SOOO good!! My husband said it was incredible and couldn't stop eating it. I spritzed it with water every 5 mins or so while baking for an extra crunchy outside. Will definitely be making it again. Thank you for the recipe!!
Jennifer
That is great to hear that you enjoyed this bread. It sure is a favorite in our home.
Megan Scott
Is the yeast used rapid rise yeast or regular? I'm excited to make this with loaded potato soup this week!
Jennifer
I use active dry yeasts (regular). This bread goes perfect with soup, enjoy.
Lena
I was so happy to find this bread machine recipe for French bread. Since covid started I've had covid fatigue and my bread machine is used weekly. Reg. Bread gets tiring as its sweet. Thank you for this recipe.
Jennifer
Aww I'm so happy that you enjoy this bread recipe.
Melissa Moshier
I first made this last jan, when all of my family had covid. Couldn't get out of house, and wanted comfort of bread. Found this. So easy. Been making it since then, and I love how the steam created by water makes outside crispy. Thank you for posting.
Jennifer
I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed this bread.
Ltnfluffy
This is the simplest, tastiest bread recipe.
Jennifer
Yes, this is delicious and easy to make bread.
Karen
Can you cook it in the bread machine too?
Jennifer
Yes, you can. I like to do it in the oven only to be able to get the longer loaf with a crispy crust.
Laura
Can you add honey to the recipe ?
Jennifer
Honey is a great substitution in most recipes, this French bread recipe you could. However it may add more moisture to the bread, which will change the overall texture as well as the flour.
George
Great recipe. Definitely will make more of it. I don’t need to use a different recipe. I cut the ingredients in half and it took up the length of my cookie sheet. Glad I cut it.
Jennifer
Glad you enjoyed this easy recipe.
Eszter
Delicious! I made two smaller loaf. Turned out perfect. Will be a regular on our table. Thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer
Glad you enjoyed the recipe.