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20-Minute French Bread Recipe: Easy Homemade Bread Anyone Can Make

This 20-minute French bread recipe creates bakery-quality artisan bread with minimal effort using simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for beginners, it delivers a classic crusty exterior and soft, airy interior that makes French bread irresistible.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 1 servings
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Cornmeal for dusting (optional)
  • 1 egg white beaten with 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Make a well in the center, pour in yeast mixture and olive oil, stir until shaggy dough forms, then knead on floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover with damp cloth, and let rest in warm place for 10 minutes for quick rise.
  4. Punch down dough and shape into long baguette-style loaf. Place on baking sheet dusted with cornmeal or parchment paper.
  5. Make diagonal slashes on top of loaf using sharp knife, brush with egg wash, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Notes

Use warm water (110°F) to activate yeast, knead until smooth and elastic, add small pan of water in oven for crispy crust, fresh bread best eaten same day, store in cloth towel instead of plastic.