Easy French Bread in Under One Hour

This quick and easy bread recipe comes together in less than an hour making it the perfect loaf for those nights you didn’t plan ahead. 

Ingredients

• Yeast – you can use either instant or dry active yeast. I included instructions for both.
• Flour – all purpose is what I typically use, but bread flour works as well
• Salt – bread does not taste right without salt! It also helps to add structure to your dough.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425.
• DRY ACTIVE YEAST: In a small bowl combine dry active yeast and warm water (about 110 F). Mix to combine and let sit for about 5 minutes. It should be bubbly after 5 minutes.
• INSTANT YEAST: If using instant yeast just combine in with flour in next step. You do not need to rehydrate it.
• In a large bowl add 2.5 cups flour, salt, and yeast mixture. Mix to combine, then turn out to the counter and knead for about 5 minutes.
• Once the dough is smooth, shape the dough into one large or two small loaf shapes and place on a baking sheet to rise for about 15 minutes.
• Score the top of the loaf and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
• Brush with melted butter if you want a buttery soft crust.

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I would love to hear about your experience making and enjoying my easy 1 hour french bread recipe! Feel free to tag me on Instagram or leave a review below. Your feedback helps me improve our recipes and provides inspiration to fellow home cooks.

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Easy French Bread in Under 1 Hour

5 from 1 vote

This quick and easy bread recipe comes together in less than an hour making it the perfect loaf for those nights you didn’t plan ahead. 

Print Recipe

Prep Time:30 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Keyword: bread

Servings: 1 loaf

Calories: 1151kcal

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp yeast dry active or instant
• 1 cup warm water about 110F
• 2.5-3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425.
• DRY ACTIVE YEAST: In a small bowl combine dry active yeast and warm water (about 110 F). Mix to combine and let sit for about 5 minutes. It should be bubbly after 5 minutes.
• INSTANT YEAST: If using instant yeast just combine in with flour in next step. You do not need to rehydrate it.
• In a large bowl add 2.5 cups flour, salt, and yeast mixture. Mix to combine, then turn out to the counter and knead for about 5 minutes.
• Once the dough is smooth, shape the dough into one large or two small loaf shapes and place on a baking sheet to rise for about 15 minutes.
• Score the top of the loaf and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
• Brush with additional butter if you want a buttery soft crust.

Video

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Nutrition

Calories: 1151kcal | Carbohydrates: 240g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 3508mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 15mg