Crusty French Loaf

This crusty French bread recipe makes a humble loaf to enjoy fresh that day alongside soup and salad, or you can use it for picnic sandwiches or the most buttery garlic bread.

While it takes time for bread to rise multiple times, the actual hands-on time is minimal. The end result is a kitchen filled with the aroma of just-baked bread and a tender loaf with a crackly crust.

Ingredients for Crusty French Bread Recipe

• Active dry yeast: A package of yeast is what changes this recipe from a flatbread to a fluffy loaf.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar helps feed the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Flour: All-purpose flour gives this loaf the right texture.
• Cornmeal: A little cornmeal keeps the bread from sticking.
• Egg white and water: Brush beaten egg white and water over the loaf for a shiny golden crust.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the dough

Dissolve yeast in water in a large bowl. Add sugar, oil, salt and 2 cups of the flour. Stir until blended. Keep stirring in the flour until a stiff dough forms.

Step 2: Knead the dough

Knead the dough on a floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic, six to eight minutes. Put it in an oiled bowl, turning once so the top of the dough is oiled. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size. This takes about an hour. Punch down the dough and return to the bowl to rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 3: Shape the loaf

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Punch the dough down again and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a 16×2-inch loaf with tapered ends. Sprinkle cornmeal on an oiled baking sheet and place the loaf on the sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 25 minutes.

Step 4: Bake the bread until golden brown

Beat the egg white and water, and brush over the dough. With a very sharp knife, slash diagonal cuts 2 inches apart across the top of the loaf. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Set on a wire rack to cool.

Recipe Variations

• Make breadsticks: Instead of one big loaf, shape the dough into smaller breadsticks. Brush with garlic butter right when they come out of the oven.
• Add some seasoning: While a well-made loaf doesn’t need any embellishments, sometimes you want a little extra. You can add fresh rosemary or thyme while kneading the dough, or lightly press it into the top before the final rise.

How to Store Crusty French Bread

This style of homemade bread is best enjoyed within a day of baking. Store the bread at room temperature, and after it’s cut into, simply store it cut side down on a board.

Can you freeze this crusty French bread recipe?

Yes! When the bread is completely cooled, wrap the loaf in plastic and slide it into a freezer-safe zipper-top bag. It will keep for three to six months.

Crusty French Loaf Tips

How do you proof yeast?

Yeast feels complicated, but don’t be intimidated. Proofing yeast is simple. Just grab some warm water, a bit of sugar and yeast and mix together. The yeast should bubble and froth. Just be sure that your water temperature isn’t too high.

Why is my bread so dense?

Make sure you’re giving the dough for this crusty French bread recipe enough time to rise properly. To proof bread, keep it in a warm space in your home. Warmth and humidity will help the yeast to grow and bubble. These gas bubbles help make your bread light and airy. For more tips, check out our ultimate bread guide.

How to use a stand mixer to knead dough?

You can mix dough directly in the bowl of a stand mixer using a dough hook. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed with a silicon spatula. When ready to knead, turn the machine on low and keep an eye on the dough. It should be smooth and supple in about four to five minutes.