Homemade French Bread {Easy Recipe}

I made this Homemade French Bread recipe without a machine a long time ago and it has always been our favorite at home. I’ve been wanting to make it again for a long time but never took the time to do it. With the lock-in, I’m already on my third batch of bread, so this is my chance to give this article a makeover and tweak my instructions a bit.

In 2014, when I first published this recipe, I didn’t have a food processor and since then I’ve equipped myself but this recipe doesn’t require a bread machine and it’s not essential to have a food processor to knead, we’ve been doing it by hand for a long time. It’s actually quite nice and soothing.

I can tell you that making your own bread at home and by hand is really satisfying and I think there is nothing more rewarding in the kitchen. And I don’t know how to explain it, but to me, making homemade bread is really a symbol of culinary independence, which is pretty helpful right now. I mean, I don’t know if you know what I mean, but simply put, there’s a great sense of pride….

With this recipe, I’ve always gotten an airy crumb and a nice crispy crust, but I still have to tell you that this is not a traditional baguette. These are breads that keep well for several days wrapped in a tea towel.

If you’re looking for other homemade bread ideas without a machine, with or without a food processor, I have other recipes I like to suggest: hamburger buns, semi-complete hazelnut and raisin bread, pistachio bread, bagel breads. And if you’re looking for ideas for brioche, bread pudding or pizza dough, I have a baking section on the blog, which is starting to be pretty complete with recipes that you’ll like and find useful ;-).

In the meantime, take care of yourself! I hope you and your loved ones are doing well!

Homemade French Bread {Easy Recipe}

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS DELIGHTFUL BREAD RECIPE without a machine?

• flour
• water
• salt
• baker’s yeast

And there you have it, all that’s left to do is enjoy your homemade bread on its own, on toast or with cheese… So, ready for this weekend’s little exercise: making homemade bread without a robot! I assure you that there is nothing more gratifying than making your own bread at home! If you can see your kids enjoying it… ;-

As you can see, I had a hard time taking my pictures because a little rascal had a hard time resisting this beautiful slice of homemade bread…

Homemade French Bread {Easy Recipe}

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Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Resting Time:2 hrs 30 mins

Total Time:3 hrs 25 mins

Course: Bread, Brunch

Cuisine: French

Servings: 2 breads

Ingredients

• 400 g four
• 30 cl warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 g dehydrated baker's yeast or 20 g of fresh one

Instructions

• Pour the flour, water and salt into a bowl and mix by hand or with the hook of your food processor. When the dough begins to form, knead it until a ball forms, then leave it in the bowl and cover it with a clean cloth. Let it rest.
• Meanwhile, rehydrate the baker's yeast in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of warm water and let stand 10 minutes.
• Then add the yeast to the previous mixture in the bowl and start kneading by folding the dough over itself and pressing with your fist (or with the hook of your food processor). Don't hesitate to work the dough until you can feel and see that it is transforming. This will take about 10 minutes.
• Then add the yeast to the previous mixture in the bowl and start kneading by folding the dough over itself and pressing with your fist (or with the hook of your food processor). Feel free to work the dough until you can feel and see that it is turning. This will take about 10 minutes.
• Then place it in your bowl and cover it with a clean cloth. Leave it at room temperature or near a radiator (about 25°C) and free of drafts, for at least 2 hours (3 hours would be better). The dough should double in size.
• Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and lightly flour it.
• For shaping, you can choose different shapes for your breads (ball, baguette, crown, etc.). This time, I chose an elongated shape, between a loaf and a baguette.
• Gently pick up the dough to avoid tearing it. Gently loosen it with your fist and shape the dough into the desired shape by placing it on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Lightly flour the top of the dough. Using a sharp knife, make slits in the dough.
• Place a cloth over the bread and let it sit for another 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Preheat your oven to 210°C with a pie pan filled with water at the bottom.

  Put your tray in the oven at half height for 30 minutes.
• Then turn your bread over and continue cooking for another 5 minutes at 180°C without water.
• Then let your bread cool on a rack outside the oven.

Notes

Feel free to double the quantities if you want to make a large loaf or 2 loaves.
You can also use other types of flour if you wish.

If you make my French Bread recipe and like it, feel free to tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see the result and share it back…

What are the most common questions I get about making homemade bread?

This bread will be perfect with some :
– Lemon and Bergamot Jam
– Lemon Curd
– Oven-Roasted Camembert Cheese

Just to let you know I am French and I translate my recipes, be indulgent if you see syntax errors and do not hesitate to leave me a comment so I can correct it. I hope you will like my recipes and enjoy your visit to my food blog!