Food Nanny Baguette Recipe – Easy French Baguette at Home

You only need five ingredients to make this crispy loaf of Food Nanny Baguette Recipe.

Crispy, crunch on the outside, yet tender and chewy on the inside and I'm a little embarrassed to say we devoured this recipe in one night...yes, both loaves. 

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.

French Baguette Recipe

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.

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.

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

Recommended Kitchen Tools

For a full list of kitchen tools used in this recipe, be sure to check the recipe card below. You can also browse my Favorite Kitchen Tools by clicking the photo below.

Check out my list...

My Kitchen Tools Essentials

Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!

You need this list

Eparé French Baguette Bread Pan for Baking - 15KneadAce Upgraded Extractable & Magnetic Bread Lame Dough Scoring Tool - Professional Sourdough scoring tool for Sourdough Bread baking & Bread Making Tools - Scoring Patterns booklet & 5 Razor BladesYIMITEE 150 Pack Paper Bread Bag with Window, 18

Main Ingredients Needed

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Check that the water is between 105 °F and 115 °F using a thermometer, then stir in one teaspoon of sugar to help the yeast grow. Cover the bowl with a small plate to hold in the warmth so the yeast proofs properly.

Step 2: In the bowl of your KitchenAid mixer, blend the flour, salt, and remaining teaspoon of sugar, then add the yeast mixture and gradually pour in the last cup of warm water until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides. Knead with the mixer for 5 minutes, adding a little flour if needed, then turn the dough onto a floured board, shape into a ball, and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean dish towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 20-30 minutes.

How to Shape French Baguette

Step 4: Punch down the dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Divide it in half, then gently roll each piece into a smooth, even log about 14 inches long, tapering the ends slightly to form classic baguette shapes.

Step 5: Lightly grease a baguette pan with non-stick cooking spray and set the shaped loaves in the wells. Cover with a dish towel and let them rise in a warm spot for about 15-30 minutes. No baguette pan? Simply place the loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet instead.

Step 6: 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 or Bread Lame Dough Scoring Tool. Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F or until golden brown and makes a hollow sound when tapped.

How to Store a Baguette

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

YIMITEE 150 Pack Paper Bread Bag with Window, 18

Freezer: Wrap the baguettes in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.

Thawing and Reheating: Thaw overnight or for a few hours at room temperature, then bake at 350 °F for 10–15 minutes until warm and crisp.

How to Soften French Baguette

Quick Oven Refresh: Mist crust with water, wrap in foil, and warm at 350 °F for 10–15 minutes, opening foil briefly for a crisp finish.

Microwave with a Damp Towel: Wrap in a slightly damp towel and microwave on medium power for 10–20 seconds.

Steam Method: Place a small dish of water in the oven while reheating at 350 °F to add steam and soften the bread.

📖 Recipe Card

Lois

Food Nanny Baguette Recipe – Easy French Baguette at Home

5 from 2 votes

Bake the famous Food Nanny baguette at home—crisp crust, tender center, and simple ingredients for bakery-quality bread.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Rise Time; divided 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 2 loaves of bread

Course: Bread

Cuisine: French

Calories: 94

Ingredients Method Nutrition Video Notes

Video

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

Cooking for More (or Less?)Scale this recipe up or down. Adjust the number of servings above to automatically update ingredient amounts.

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 20 - 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 dish towel and place in a warm area to rise for 15 minutes
12. Preheat the oven to 450°F 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

Tips

• Check that the water is 105–115 °F before adding yeast and stir in a teaspoon of sugar to help it activate.
• Knead the dough for a full 5 minutes, adding a little flour if it seems sticky.
• Use a baking dish filled ¾ full of water on the oven’s bottom rack to create steam for a crisp crust.

Storage & Make Ahead

• Freeze baked baguettes for up to 3 months wrapped in plastic and placed in a freezer-safe bag.
• Thaw overnight or at room temperature, then reheat at 350 °F for 10–15 minutes to restore the crisp crust.
• Refresh leftovers by placing directly on a hot oven rack for about 5 minutes.

 

 

 

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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!