Bread Machine French Bread

Elevate your homemade bread game with this easy and foolproof Bread Machine French Bread recipe! With just five pantry staples—water, bread flour, salt, sugar, and active dry yeast—you can create a crusty, golden loaf that rivals artisanal bakery-quality bread. This recipe is designed for ultimate simplicity, using the bread machine to handle all the work: mixing, kneading, rising, and baking. Perfectly balanced with a chewy interior and crisp crust, this classic loaf is ideal for everything from hearty sandwiches to a side for soups, stews, or pasta. Ready in just 3 hours with only 5 minutes of prep time, it’s an effortless way to enjoy fresh French bread at home. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker, this "Bread Machine French Bread" recipe will become your go-to for impressive, homemade results.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:185 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1.25 cups Water
• 3.25 cups Bread flour
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoons Sugar
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast

Directions

Step 1

Pour the water into the bread machine's loaf pan. The water should be room temperature (approximately 75°F/24°C) for best results.

Step 2

Add the bread flour to the pan, ensuring that it fully covers the water. Make a small well in the center of the flour for the yeast, keeping it separate from the salt and sugar.

Step 3

Sprinkle the salt and sugar around the edges of the flour, avoiding the yeast in the center of the well.

Step 4

Add the active dry yeast into the well in the flour. This ensures the yeast does not activate prematurely.

Step 5

Place the loaf pan into the bread machine and firmly secure it. Close the lid of the machine.

Step 6

Select the 'French' or 'Basic White Bread' setting on your bread machine, depending on its features. Set the desired crust color (light, medium, or dark), and start the machine.

Step 7

Allow the bread machine to knead, rise, and bake the dough according to the programmed cycle. This typically takes around 3 hours for a French bread setting.

Step 8

Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the loaf pan from the machine. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

Step 9

Turn the bread out of the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	729.5 grams (729.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1517

Total Fat 6.40g	8%
Saturated Fat 1.20g	6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4741mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 315.70g	115%
Dietary Fiber 12.40g	44%
Total Sugars 5.40g
Protein 51.50g	103%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 81mg	6%
Iron 18mg	101%
Potassium 549mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3.8%

Protein: 13.5%

Carbs: 82.7%