Bread Machine French Bread

front close up of French bread loaf with two slices cut out.

This French bread recipe is baked entirely in the bread machine, making it incredibly easy while delivering a crusty, golden loaf. Slash the top of the loaf before the baking cycle begins for a classic French bread appearance. Makes a 1 pound loaf.

Prep Time5

Cook Time3

Total Time3 5

Course: Bread

Keyword: bread machine french bread

Servings: slices

Calories: 117kcal

Author: Katie

Equipment

Bread machine

Ingredients

¾ cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast

Instructions

Add ingredients to the bread machine. Pour the warm water and salt into the bread pan first. Add the bread flour and sugar. Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast on top.
Select the French bread or basic white bread cycle. Choose a setting that allows for a crusty loaf (like French bread or basic cycle), and set the crust to medium or dark for the best texture.
Slash the dough (optional). If your machine allows, pause just before the baking cycle begins (usually after the final rise) to sprinkle the dough with flour and slash the top of the dough with a sharp knife or bread lame.
Bake. Let the bread machine complete the baking process.
Cool and serve. Once baking is complete, carefully remove the loaf from the bread machine and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Slashing the top is optional and can be done if your machine allows you to pause before the baking cycle (or you can keep an eye on it!). If not, your bread will still have a delicious crust without slashing. It’s just for looks!
I like to double this recipe and bake it as a 2lb loaf, but 1lb is also fine.

Nutrition