Homemade French Baguette Recipe

You only need four ingredients, well five if you count the salt, to make this crispy loaf of Homemade French Baguette Recipe.

Crispy, crunch on the outside, yet tender and chewy on the inside.

Let me show you how to create the perfect side dish for any family dinner in just about an hour – a recipe that's sure to become a favorite.

Baking homemade bread is easy and I'm a little embarrassed to say we devoured this Homemade French Baguette bread in one night...yes, both loaves. 

I served it with my Homemade Beef Barley Soup recipe. On the side, I made my Homemade Garlic Butter to use.

Food Nanny Baguette

I found this original recipe from The Food Nanny on Instagram. I've adjusted a few different things like the dough raising time, but it's still her recipe I'm sharing today.

What is a French Baguette?

A French baguette is a long, thin loaf of bread that has a crisp crust. It's of French origin and the dough is usually lean. They're crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Looking for more Homemade Bread Recipes? Try my Homemade Bagels, Italian Bread, or my No Knead Bread Recipe.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

This post contains affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but I earn a commission when you shop through them. For more information, click here.

Baguette Bread PanClick HERE to PrintDigital Instant Read ThermometerClick HERE to PrintGlass Nesting Bowls with Lids - 14 piece setClick HERE to PrintPyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring SetClick HERE to Print

Main Ingredients Needed

• Warm water 105 - 115 degrees ;  divided
• Active dry yeast
• Sugar
• Bread flour
• Salt

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Use a thermometer to make sure the water temperature is between 105 and 115 degrees before adding the yeast. Add one teaspoon of sugar to help the yeast grow.

Step 2: Cover the bowl of water and yeast with a small plate to trap the warmth from the water inside. This will help the yeast to proof correctly.

Step 3: In the bowl of your Kitchen Aid Mixer, blend the flour, salt and the other 1 teaspoon of sugar. Add the yeast mixture.

Step 4: Gradually add the remaining cup of warm water; slowly until the dough starts to form a ball and pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 5: Set a kitchen timer for 5 minutes and allow the machine to knead the dough adding a little bit of flour if the dough looks too sticky. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and shape it into a ball.

Step 6: Place the ball into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean dish towel.  Let the dough rest in a warm environment for 30 minutes.

How to Shape the Dough

Step 7: Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough in half and shape into the shape of a baguette or a long log; about 14 inches long.

Step 8: Grease a baguette pan with non-stick cooking spray and place the loaves in the baguette pan. Cover with a dish towel and place in a warm area to rise for about 30 minutes.

Top Tip

If you don't have a baguette pan, don't worry! Place the shaped loaves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Nonstick French Baguette Bread Pan

The pan ensures superior heat conduction and even baking time and time again. The air circulates freely around dough creating crisp, golden-brown crust.

$18.99

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Baking Instructions

Step 9: While the dough rises, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place an oven-safe pan filled with water on the bottom rack to create steam during baking. Just before baking, score the top of each baguette with a sharp knife. Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F. Your homemade bread is ready when it's a beautiful golden brown and makes a hollow sound when tapped.

Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips

Storing: Let your homemade baguettes cool completely before tightly wrapping them in parchment paper, bread paper bags or foil. Store at room temperature for 1-2 days to preserve freshness.

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Freezer: If you won't be eating the baguettes within a couple of days, you can freeze them for longer storage. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thawing and Reheating: To reheat a frozen baguette, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours. Then, bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until it's warmed through and the crust is crispy again.

📖 Recipe Card

Lois

Homemade French Baguette Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Crispy, crunch on the outside, yet tender and chewy on the inside. The perfect combination for a classic bread recipe.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Rise Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 2 loaves of bread

Course: Bread

Cuisine: French

Calories: 94

Ingredients Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 ½ cups warm water 105 - 115 degrees, divided
• 1 ½ tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoon sugar divided
• 2 ¾ to 3 ¼ cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons salt

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Method

 

1. Combine ½ cup of the water, the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a bowl. Stir to combine. Let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes or until it's bubbly.
2. In the bowl of your Kitchen Aid Mixer, blend the flour, salt and the other 1 teaspoon of sugar.
3. Add the yeast mixture.
4. Gradually add the remaining cup of warm water; slowly until the dough starts to form a ball and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Set a kitchen timer for 5 minutes and allow the machine to knead the dough adding a little bit of flour if the dough looks too sticky.
6. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and shape it into a ball.
7. Place the ball into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean dishtowel.
8. Let the dough rest in a warm environment for 30 minutes.
9. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured bowl.
10. Divide the dough in half and shape into the shape of a baguette or a long log about 14 inches long.
11. Grease a baguette pan with non-stick cooking spray and place the loaves in the pan; seam side down. Using a sharp knife, score both loaves down the middle. Cover with a dishtowel and place in a warm area to rise for 30 minutes
12. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees while the dough is rising.
13. Place an oven-safe pan on the bottom rack of the oven and fill with water. This will create steam while the baguettes bake.
14. Using a sharp knife, score both loaves down the middle. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until they have a hollow sound when you tap them.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gSodium: 89mgFiber: 1g

Notes

To achieve a perfectly crispy crust on your homemade bread, place a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven while baking to create steam.

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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!