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.
Share Your Experience
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
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
- 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.
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
I did one egg white for a wash and it made it so crispy and delicious!! Great recipe
This makes me so happy to hear! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your bread recipe. I lost mine and was looking for something similar. We loved it! I did add a teaspoon of sugar to the yeast/water before I let it rest. At the end of the kneading I used 3 teaspoons of olive oil, one at a time.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Easy to make and delicious. No leftover bread. My kids ate it all up!
So happy to hear this!