Easy Crusty French Bread
Craving bakery-style bread without the bakery price tag? This easy crusty French bread uses just 5 ingredients and no kneading to create a golden, crackly loaf with a soft, airy interior.
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- Mixing bowl
- spatula
- Proofing basket or bowl
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast one packet
- 1 tsp sugar or honey
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
Instructions
- Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and mix, then add salt and continue mixing until no dry bits remain. Dough will be sticky.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Turn dough onto floured surface without punching down. Fold edges toward center and shape into a round.
- Place in floured bowl or basket seam-side down. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 460°F with Dutch oven inside for at least 30 minutes.
- Transfer dough onto parchment paper seam-side up. Carefully place into hot Dutch oven.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 10–15 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and cool on rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use warm (not hot) water to activate yeast properly. Avoid over-handling the dough to keep it airy. You can add herbs, garlic, or cheese for variations. If no Dutch oven is available, use any oven-safe covered dish to trap steam.