Your Own Crusty French Bread

Create the perfect bakery-style loaf at home with "Your Own Crusty French Bread." This easy-to-follow recipe captures the artisanal magic of rustic French bread, featuring a crisp and golden exterior with a soft, airy interior. Using simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and a touch of sugar, this recipe guides you through key techniques like kneading, proofing, and steam baking to achieve that signature crust. The process is beginner-friendly yet satisfying, with only 3 hours of prep and rise time. Serve it warm with butter, pair it with soups or stews, or use it as the base for your favorite sandwich—this delightful homemade French bread will quickly become a household favorite. Perfect for those looking to master the art of homemade bread!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:180 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:205 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 500 grams All-purpose flour
• 7 grams Active dry yeast
• 350 milliliters Warm water (around 40°C or 105°F)
• 10 grams Salt
• 5 grams Granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Cornmeal or flour (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast into the warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Slowly pour the yeast mixture into the bowl while mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 3

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour one tablespoon at a time.

Step 4

Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5

Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a long baguette or desired loaf shape.

Step 6

Place the shaped loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or dusted with cornmeal. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until slightly puffy.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F). Place an empty baking pan on the bottom rack of the oven to use for creating steam.

Step 8

Before baking, use a sharp knife or razor blade to make 3-4 diagonal slashes on the top of each loaf. Dust the tops with a little flour if desired.

Step 9

Place the baking sheet with the loaves in the center rack of the oven. Quickly pour a cup of hot water into the empty pan on the bottom rack and immediately close the oven door to create steam. This helps form a crusty exterior.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow the crust to fully develop.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	893 grams (893.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1919

Total Fat 5.50g	7%
Saturated Fat 0.80g	4%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3947mg	172%
Total Carbohydrate 402.00g	146%
Dietary Fiber 16.20g	58%
Total Sugars 6.20g
Protein 55.50g	111%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 70mg	5%
Iron 24mg	133%
Potassium 700mg	15%

*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: 11.8%

Carbs: 85.6%