Homemade French Bread in 90 Minutes

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“Delicious and fool proof. Comes out perfectly every time and loved by all!” — Carrie

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread filling the kitchen, especially when you can have two beautiful loaves ready in about 90 minutes!

This easy French bread has a golden, crisp crust on the outside and a soft, slightly chewy center. It uses simple pantry ingredients and requires very little hands-on work—the dough does most of the waiting and rising while you get on with everything else. (I Heart Naptime)

🥖 Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water, about 105°F (40–41°C)
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 2½ teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 5 cups (about 650 g) all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
  • 2½ teaspoons salt or fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Melted butter, optional, for brushing after baking

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Activate the yeast

Add the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar to a small bowl.

Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy. (I Heart Naptime)

If nothing happens and the yeast doesn’t foam, your yeast may be inactive and it’s best to start again with fresh yeast.

2. Make the dough

Add 2 cups of the flour and the salt to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.

Pour in the yeast mixture and begin mixing.

Gradually add the remaining flour, about ½ cup at a time, until the dough becomes soft and smooth rather than sticky.

You may not need every last bit of flour, so pay attention to the texture rather than adding it automatically. (I Heart Naptime)

3. Knead

Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.

If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, knead according to your mixer’s settings; if kneading by hand, work the dough until it feels smooth and stretchy.

Rub the teaspoon of olive oil over the dough.

Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes. This short rest helps the dough relax and makes it easier to shape. (I Heart Naptime)

4. Divide the dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Divide it into two equal pieces.

Take one piece and gently press or roll it into a rectangle.

5. Shape the loaves

Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a cylinder.

Tuck the ends underneath and pinch the seams closed.

Place the loaf seam-side down on a baking sheet.

Repeat with the second piece of dough.

6. Let the loaves rise

Cover the shaped loaves loosely and place them somewhere warm.

Let them rise for approximately 30–45 minutes, or until noticeably puffy. (I Heart Naptime)

While they’re rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

7. Score the bread

Once the loaves have risen, use a sharp knife to make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf.

These cuts allow the bread to expand properly as it bakes and give the finished loaves that classic French-bread appearance.

8. Bake

Bake at 400°F for about 17–20 minutes, or until the loaves are beautifully golden brown. (I Heart Naptime)

For an extra-crispy crust, you can use a little steam in the oven while baking.

9. Brush with butter

Remove the bread from the oven.

For a softer, richer, more flavorful crust, brush the hot loaves with melted butter.

Let them cool slightly before slicing—if you can wait! 😍

🥖 Tips for Perfect French Bread

Don’t add too much flour

This is one of the most important tips.

Add the flour gradually. The finished dough should be soft and smooth, not stiff or dry.

Keep the water warm, not hot

Water that’s too hot can damage the yeast. Aim for approximately 105°F.

Give the dough somewhere warm to rise

A comfortably warm, draft-free area helps the dough rise efficiently, which is especially important when you’re making a quick 90-minute loaf.

Don’t skip the scoring

Those little cuts aren’t just decorative. They give the expanding dough somewhere to open as it bakes.

Want a crispier crust?

Steam helps create a crisper crust. A simple method is to place a heat-safe pan in the oven and carefully add hot water when the bread goes in. Be cautious around the steam.

Want a softer crust?

Brush the freshly baked loaves with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.

🧈 What to Serve With Homemade French Bread

This bread is wonderful with practically anything.

Try it with:

  • 🥣 Beef & barley soup
  • 🍲 Chicken soup
  • 🍝 Spaghetti
  • 🧄 Garlic butter
  • 🧀 Cheese
  • 🫒 Olive oil and herbs
  • 🥩 Roast beef
  • 🍅 Pasta sauce
  • 🥗 Fresh salads
  • 🍯 Honey or jam

And of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with tearing off a warm piece and eating it with butter straight from the loaf. ❤️

❄️ How to Store It

Homemade bread is best enjoyed fresh.

Once completely cooled, store it in a bread bag or other suitable bread container at room temperature.

For longer storage, you can freeze the baked loaves. Wrap them tightly once completely cool and place them in a freezer-safe bag. A similar 90-minute French bread recipe recommends freezing for up to 2 months. (I Heart Naptime)

You can also turn leftover bread into:

  • French toast
  • Bread pudding
  • Croutons
  • Garlic bread
  • French dip sandwiches
  • Breadcrumbs

⭐ Homemade French Bread

Prep Time: About 10–15 minutes
Rise Time: About 45–60 minutes
Bake Time: 17–20 minutes
Total Time: About 90 minutes
Yield: 2 loaves

This is the kind of bread recipe that makes homemade bread feel completely doable—even if you’ve never considered yourself a bread baker.

Golden on the outside, soft and chewy inside, made with simple ingredients, and ready in about 90 minutes.

And judging by Carrie’s review, it sounds like the kind of recipe you’ll make once and immediately want to make again. 🥖❤️

Fresh bread doesn’t have to be an all-day project!

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