Homemade Baguette
Make homemade baguette with a crispy golden crust and soft, chewy center! This easy French bread recipe uses simple ingredients and no special pan.
Ingredients
- 3.5 cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all purpose flour, salt, sugar and instant yeast.
- Add the oil, then pour in warm water gradually while mixing, just until a slightly moist, shaggy dough comes together.
- Once you have a slightly moist, shaggy dough, cover and set it aside at room temperature.
- Let it rise for about an hour, or until it has almost doubled in size.
- Transfer to a floured surface and gently work it with your hands to smoothen it out.
- Roll the dough into a large ball.
- Divide into 2 equal halves.
- Roll one of the halves into a cylinder, pinching and sealing the seams and edges tightly. Do the same with the other half too.
- Transfer both the cylinders to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes. Score using a sharp knife.
- Pop them in an oven preheated at 450°F (with a pan filled with hot water at the bottom to create steam) and bake for about 30-45 minutes or until the baguettes have a deep, golden brown color.
- Remove, cool, slice and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh instant yeast and warm water, not hot, to help the dough rise properly. Water that is too hot can damage the yeast.
- Add the warm water gradually until a slightly moist, shaggy dough forms. Avoid adding too much extra flour, as this can make the baguettes dense.
- Let the dough rise until almost doubled in size. Rising times may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Pinch the seams and ends of the shaped baguettes firmly and place them seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Score the loaves with a sharp knife or bread blade just before baking to allow them to expand evenly.
- Place an oven-safe metal pan of hot water on the lower oven rack to create steam, which helps develop a crisp, golden crust.
- Allow the baguettes to cool on a wire rack before slicing to prevent the centers from becoming gummy.
- Homemade baguettes are best enjoyed fresh. Store at room temperature for 1–2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 967kcalCarbohydrates: 174gProtein: 27gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 1173mgPotassium: 349mgFiber: 9gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 10mg
Tried this recipe?Share a photo of what you made on Instagram and tag us @cookinuplife or hashtag it #cookinuplife