French Baguettes

Discover the art of authentic French baking with this classic French Baguettes recipe—an absolute must-try for bread enthusiasts! With just five simple ingredients—flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of sugar—these baguettes transform into golden, crusty loaves with a soft, airy interior that’s perfect for sandwiches, soups, or as a standalone delight. This recipe takes you step by step through traditional techniques, from kneading to creating steam in the oven, ensuring a crisp crust and irresistible texture. With a hands-on prep time and a satisfying bake, these homemade baguettes are a true labor of love and taste. Perfect for entertaining or elevating your everyday meals, these artisan-style loaves will transport your kitchen straight to the streets of Paris.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:240 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:265 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams All-purpose flour
• 350 milliliters Water
• 7 grams Active dry yeast
• 10 grams Salt
• 5 grams Sugar

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in 100 milliliters of lukewarm water. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well.

Step 3

Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Gradually add the remaining 250 milliliters of water and stir until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 4

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a long, thin loaf (traditional baguette shape) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7

Cover the loaves with a clean towel and let them proof for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until puffed up.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 240°C (465°F). Place a baking dish with water on the bottom rack to create steam, which is essential for a crispy crust.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife or razor blade, slash 3-4 diagonal cuts across the top of each baguette.

Step 10

Bake the baguettes on the center rack for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	877 grams (877.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1861

Total Fat 5.20g	7%
Saturated Fat 0.80g	4%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3956mg	172%
Total Carbohydrate 389.20g	142%
Dietary Fiber 15.00g	54%
Total Sugars 6.10g
Protein 54.30g	109%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 91mg	7%
Iron 24mg	131%
Potassium 677mg	14%

*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: 2.6%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 85.5%