Experience the magic of homemade bread in just one hour with this game-changing French Bread recipe. It is so easy that it always comes out perfect, even if it is your first time making yeast bread.
It makes two large loaves for about $2.87. Each loaf serves eight people each and will cost around 18¢ per serving!
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What You’ll Love About This French Bread Recipe
- Versatility: This is a great recipe because the bread can be enjoyed plain, used to make Garlic Bread, served as a side dish to most entrees, dipped in olive oil, made into sandwiches, or toasted for French toast.
- Quick Rise Times: Both rises only take 15 minutes, making this a relatively fast recipe for homemade fresh bread. This will quickly become your go-to bread recipe. Your family and friends will ask you to make this chewy French bread again and again.
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses basic pantry staples, making it accessible for most home bakers. You may find that you have most of these basic ingredients on hand.
- Easy To Work With: Forming the dough into two long loaves is simple and doesn’t require intricate techniques or a bread machine.
1-Hour French Bread Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 2 cups warm water – $0.00
- 2 Tablespoons instant yeast – $0.96
- 2 Tablespoons sugar – $0.06
- 2 teaspoons salt – $0.02
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil – $0.09
- 5 ½ – 6 cups flour – $1.62
- 1 egg white – $0.12
The cost of the recipe is calculated based on the amounts needed. To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in February 2024.
How To Make 1 Hour Bread
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Whisk warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let it froth for 5-10 minutes before mixing it in the salt, oil, and flour.
- Knead in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and the bread dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Cover and rise for 15 minutes in a warm place.
- The dough will be puffy but not quite doubled in size.
- Divide dough into two loaves on a baking sheet, cut diagonal slits across the top of the dough, and let the dough rise again before baking for 30 minutes.
- Brush with egg wash mixture to get an extra crispy crust, and bake for five more minutes.
- Slice and serve.
Easy French Bread Recipe Variations:
Use this bread as the base for these recipes:
- BBQ Chicken Braid
- French bread pizza
- French-Bread Stuffing
- French Toast
- Garlic bread
- Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes
How Long Does French Bread Last:
- Serve: Leftovers can be wrapped in plastic or placed in a Ziploc bag and kept at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Store: Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and store it for up to 5 days. (I like slicing the bread for pizza or garlic bread when it’s cold and slightly stiff. It’s easier to cut this way.)
- Freeze: Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and then in foil before putting it in the freezer. It will keep for up to three months before getting freezer burn.
Quick French Bread Recipe FAQs
Why is it called French bread?
French bread, a long, crusty loaf known in France as a baguette, which means “a stick, ” is the top choice in French bakeries.
NOTE:
- This recipe is an Americanized version of French bread. You know, the big, squishy French Bread loaves you find at the grocery store. This bread is nothing like a crusty baguette.
How do you make French bread crusty again?
You can try to 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 the bread 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!
Can I skip the egg wash?
Yes, you can skip this step. The egg wash helps the crust get a little extra crispy, but it is still delicious without this step.
Can you freeze French bread?
Yes! This is one of our favorite things about this recipe. The bread will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months.
How to reheat French Bread?
When ready to use, remove it from the freezer and set it on the counter to defrost. Then, when ready, warm it in 30-second intervals in the microwave.
Get Kids Involved With Making One Hour French Bread
Ages 2-3: Let your tiny sous-chef add the ingredients and mix them in the stand mixer for some messy, doughy fun! They’ll love watching the ingredients form into a soft dough ball.
Ages 4-5: Time to unleash their inner scientist! They can help measure the water and yeast (with grown-up supervision) and add the dry ingredients to the mixer.
Ages 6-8: Level up their skills! They can help measure, combine, and knead all the ingredients. Let them set the timer for the dough to rise (a great exercise in patience!) and, with proper knife safety guidance, teach them to score the dough before the second rise.
Ages 9-11: Prepare to be impressed! With your gentle guidance, they can follow a recipe from start to finish. Encourage them to read the recipe twice beforehand for a sense of accomplishment.
Ages 12+: Step back and watch your little chef work their magic! Let them handle the entire recipe, from gathering ingredients to baking delicious golden loaves. You can do the happy dance in the corner knowing you’ve raised a master baker!
Remember, baking is about creating memories together, so have fun, make a mess, and enjoy the delicious reward!
Homemade French Bread Budget Tips
This French Bread freezes well, so we love freezing one of the loaves to always have one on hand. We also love using the leftover bread to make other recipes, such as croutons, breadcrumbs, French toast, etc. Making homemade bread rather than buying it at the grocery store trims some of the grocery budget.
More From Easy Budget Recipes
1-Hour French Bread Recipe
Recipe Cost 2.87 Serving Cost 0.18Equipment
- stand mixer
- standard-size baking sheet
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water 90-100 degrees
- 2 Tablespoons instant yeast
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 5 ½ – 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg white mixed with 1 Tablespoon water optional
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
- First, add the water, yeast, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Whisk the mixture together and let it sit for 3 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and frothy.
- Next, add in the oil, salt, and 5 ½ cups of flour.
- Attach a dough hook and mix on low until the dough comes together.
- Increase the speed to medium-high and knead. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it doesn’t, add more flour, 2 Tablespoons at a time, until it does.
- Then, knead the dough for 2 minutes on medium-high.
- Remove the dough hook and cover the work bowl with a warm damp towel. Let the dough rise for 15 minutes.
- Remove the towel and punch the dough down.
- Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and shape each piece into a long, thick dough that measures 16-17 inches long.
- Place the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, and cut 5-6 slits diagonally on each loaf.
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 375 degrees.
- Let the dough rise for a second time while the oven preheats.
- As soon as the oven is done preheating, pop the pan into the oven (don’t let the dough sit out too long because it will over-proof). Bake for 23-25 minutes.
- Then, remove the bread from the oven and brush the loaves with 1 egg white mixed with 1 Tablespoon of water.
- Bake for another 3-5 minutes.
- Move the pan to a wire rack and cool the bread for 5 minutes before slicing and serving!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We recently updated the pictures to this post. Here are the originals from September 2019.
Naomi B. says
This French bread recipe turned out so beautifully!! I was pleasantly surprised when the bread came out perfectly formed, filling the kitchen with such a yummy scent.
Jess Jankowski says
The smell is amazing right?! Thank you for your great review! So happy you loved it.
Naomi B. says
This bread is perfect for making garlic bread! Who knew it would be so easy?
Jess Jankowski says
We love to make garlic bread with it! So glad you enjoyed it!
Sula says
So good! I love the guidelines for kids helping per different ages. Can’t wait for my granddaughter to come visit so we can make this together!
Jess Jankowski says
You will love making it with her!
Amy Chung says
Perfect timing! We’re on a bread making journey at the moment!
Jess Jankowski says
That’s the best kind of journey!
Trisha says
Question. In your written area before the recipe, it says to cover the bowl after everything is mixed with a warm, wet towel while it rises. In your recipe instructions, it says a greased plastic wrap. Which is the best method?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Trisha. We prefer the towel method. If you use the greased plastic wrap you may need to let it rise for 5 extra minutes.
Nicole Whaley says
Can I use whole wheat flour? I have sooo much of it I want to use up.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Nicole, I haven’t tested this recipe with whole wheat flour yet. I’d start by substituting 1/3 of the flour for wheat flour and see how that works. Let me know how it goes!
Toni says
I don’t have a stand mixer or dough hook. Can this be made by hand?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Toni. You can knead it by hand without a stand mixer or dough hook. You will just need to knead it longer than you would in a stand mixer. Knead it for 7-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Kim says
If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! It is truly as described, quick, deliciously mouth watering in both smell and taste. Made it the first time to take a loaf to a family member and one for home to go with soup, everyone raved about it, and couldn’t believe it was homemade! So good I made it the next day for family that came to visit!
Jess Jankowski says
Kim, you just made my day! Thank you so much!
shana says
About how many packets of yeast is 2 Tablespoons? I am worried this may take all of my yeast!
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Shana, one packet of yeast is 2 1/4 teaspoons. So 2 Tablespoons would be 6 teaspoons or almost 3 packets.
Cathy says
Mine isn’t rising :/
Jillian says
Cathy, how old is your yeast? Also, did you use Instant or Rapid Rise yeast?
Elizabeth says
My daughter made 1/2 of the recipe, was beautiful, great texture. Was wondering if could be made up to the loaf point and then frozen to thaw and bake later?
Has anyone tried this, nice if would work, just bring out of the freezer when you are short on time after work.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Elizabeth. If you bake both and only use one, the second loaf freezes beautifully and can be pulled out to thaw and warm on those busy nights. Or if you would like to, you can freeze the dough but you will need to add twice as much yeast before freezing it. And make sure to use active dry yeast and not fast-acting yeast. After the first rise, shape the dough into the loaf and then wrap with greased plastic wrap before placing it in a plastic freezer bag to store in the freezer. It will stay fresh in the freezer for 4 weeks. You will want to take the dough out of the freezer the night before you plan to use it to thaw. Bake per recipe directions.
Beth says
Holy Moly – delicious bread so quickly! This is going on repeat in my house. Thank you so much!
Jess Jankowski says
Beth, we are so happy to hear you love it as much as we do!
Ann says
A one-hour French bread that costs pennies to make? I will be trying this!
Jess Jankowski says
So excited for you to try it!
Gemma says
Wow one hour French bread?! I really had no idea that was even possible, and how affordable per serving too! French bread is my favourite, but I’ve never tried making it myself yet so I can’t wait to try it xo
Jess Jankowski says
You will be hooked after you try it! Thanks for stopping by!
Lisalia says
This is so good. Yeast is hard to come by these days – so next time I see more I’ll stock up. Such an easy and delicious way to have fresh bread at home. No need for the bakery right now!
Jess Jankowski says
It tastes like it came straight from the bakery! And your house smells amazing!
Kelly Anthony says
I seriously can’t believe it only takes an hour to make! French bread pizzas — here we come! Love this so much!!!!!
Jess Jankowski says
I know! Think French bread pizza, french toast, french bread stuffing, garlic bread, grilled cheese…the options are endless! Enjoy!
Lynette Lindsey says
Right now with CoronaVirus, stores are limiting bread purchases in our area. No French bread to be found. We tried your recipe, and loved it! We will add a little bit more salt, but if you’re dipping it in olive oil/seasoning , you don’t need it. Thanks for a easy, fast recipe. Will definitely be making it again.
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you so much for your feedback. We truly appreciate it. Stay safe and healthy!
Patty says
This bread looks really delicious big the taste was very bland. It tasted like flour even with butter on it. It definitely needs more salt.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Patty. We are sorry to hear it turned out that way for you. We make it weekly and have never had that issue.
Cindy says
Awesome every time. Thank you for sharing!
Jess Jankowski says
It is seriously my favorite recipe. I make it weekly. So glad you love it too!
Mandy says
Can this bread be frozen? I need to make several loaves ahead of time for a large church gathering.
Jess Jankowski says
Absolutely! It freezes beautifully. 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.
Hunter says
How should we reheat frozen loaves?
Jess Jankowski says
Hello. After removing it from the freezer, set it on the counter to defrost. When ready, stick it in the microwave for 30-second intervals to warm.