1-Hour French Bread

Created On: September 7, 2019 | Updated: February 22, 2021 | 225 Comments

1.90

0.12

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

This French Bread recipe takes just one hour from start to finish. It makes two large loaves for only $1.90. Each loaf serves eight people each and will cost just 12¢ per serving!

Find me someone who does not love homemade bread!? Your house smells amazing while baking it, and it is just so delicious after baking it. Therefore, I think we simply need more homemade french bread in our lives!

But we have a dilemma! If we do our shopping at the beginning of the week and plan to eat the bread later in the week, more often than not, it goes bad. What’s the solution then? Make bread when you need it? Sure, but what if you don’t have all day?

Our french bread recipe will help solve that problem! It comes together so quickly. One hour of your time for this recipe, and you have an amazing smelling house and fresh bread; you cannot find anything as easy as that!

This recipe makes two loaves so you can easily save some for a meal the next day. The best part of this French Bread recipe is the egg white wash you put on it just before it is finished baking, which leaves you with a perfectly crusty top.

We often use the leftovers for yummy french toast the next day. This recipe is one of our go-to’s when asked to bring a side dish. So many times people have asked if it was store-bought, (it is that good).

We typically have to keep our kids from picking at it before dinner is ready because they love it that much. This recipe may just prove to be a game-changer for you as well.

FRENCH BREAD QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Why is it called French bread?

French bread, also known as the “French stick,” a long crusty loaf of bread, is well known in France. Actually, in France, they refer to it as a baguette, which translates to “a stick.” While you can find other types of bread in French bakeries, French bread is still the top choice.

NOTE:

This recipe is an Americanized version of French bread. You know, the big, squishy loaves you find at the grocery store. This bread is nothing like a baguette.

How do you make french bread crusty again?

Food Hacks did some experiments on how to make french bread crusty again after a day or two and had some fantastic results. First, put water on the loaf of bread and then wrap it in foil before putting it in a cold oven. Next, heat the oven to 300 degrees and heat it for 10-12 minutes. Then, unwrap the bread and cook it for 4-5 minutes. That’s it! You should now be able to enjoy that fantastic crusty bread once again!

How to make 1 hour French Bread:

1. First, add yeast and then sprinkle the sugar over the 2 cups of water. Set the yeast aside.

Next, stir in the salt, oil, and flour. Then, knead the dough for a few minutes until it is no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl.
Next, cover the bowl with a warm wet towel and let the dough sit for 15 minutes.
After the dough rises, form the dough into two loaves and score with a knife. Then, bake it for 25 minutes and then brush one egg white mixed with 1 Tablespoon of water.
Finally, spread the egg mixture over the top of the bread and bake again for another 5 minutes.

We’re firm believers at Easy Budget Recipes that if you get your kids involved in making food, then they will be more likely to try the food that is served to them. It will eventually lead to them learning to like new foods!

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

Ages 2-3: Let them pour the ingredients in the mixer and mix them to knead.
Ages 4-5: Let them measure the water and yeast in one cup and measure the flour, salt, and oil in the mixer to knead. Have then help you stretch and roll the dough into long pieces.
Ages 6-8: Let them help measure, combine, and knead the ingredients. Let them set the timer for the dough to rise. Also, let them cut slits in the dough before it rises for the second time (remember to teach them safe knife practices!).
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

The flavor and Recipe Variations:

Use this bread as the base for these recipes:

Main Dish Ideas to Serve with 1 hour French Bread:

How long is this good for:

Serve: Leftovers can be wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in a Ziploc bag and kept at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
Store: Keep the bread, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 5 days. (I like slicing the bread for pizza or garlic bread when it’s cold and a little bit stiff. I find that the bread is easier to cut this way.)
Freeze: Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and then in foil before putting it in the freezer. The bread will keep this way for up to 3 months before it starts to get freezer burn.

How much will this 1 Hour French Bread Cost:

RECIPE COST: $1.90

PRICE PER SERVING: $0.12

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

2 cups warm water – $0.00
2 Tablespoons instant yeast – $0.57
2 Tablespoons sugar – $0.04
2 teaspoons salt – $0.01
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil – $0.09
5 ½ – 6 cups flour – $1.14
1 egg white – $0.05

Cook’s Tools:

stand mixer
standard-size baking sheet
parchment paper OR silicone baking mat