18 Crusty French Bread Recipes for French Bread Day

March 3, 2025

Table Of Contents

Get ready for a tasty adventure! You’re about to discover the secret of making perfect French bread, just like Julia Child. Your journey starts now, with 18 delicious recipes to try.

Are you ready to find your new favorite crusty loaf? From classic recipes to gourmet flavors, we have it all. Start exploring our 18 crusty French bread recipes today and become a bread-making master!

Classic Baguette Recipe

Classic French baguette with crispy crust and soft interior.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) with a baking stone inside.
Shape the dough into a long, thin baguette and place on the preheated stone.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

French Country Bread

Hearty French Country Bread filled with texture and flavor.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Shape the dough into a round or oblong loaf.
Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Crusty Ciabatta

Crusty Ciabatta is a classic Italian bread with a light, airy texture and a crispy crust.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) with a baking stone inside.
Gently shape the dough into a long, thin rectangle.
Place the dough on the preheated stone and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Baguette Aux Céréales

Hearty baguette filled with a blend of cereals and grains.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup mixed cereals
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl, stir to dissolve yeast.
Add flour, mixed cereals, and salt to the bowl, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough, shape into a baguette, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the melted butter on top of the baguette, bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Let the baguette cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

French Bread With Garlic and Herbs

Flavorful French bread infused with garlic and herbs.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Mix in flour, salt, garlic, and rosemary.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Shape the dough into a long loaf and place on a baking sheet.
Brush with olive oil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.

Pain De Campagne

Hearty Pain De Campagne is a traditional French bread filled with nuts and dried fruits.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl, stirring to dissolve yeast.
Add flour, salt, walnuts, and cranberries to the bowl, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Punch down dough and shape into a round or oblong loaf.
Place loaf on a baking sheet, brush with melted butter, and bake for 35-40 minutes.
Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Simple Fougasse

Simple Fougasse is a classic French bread filled with olives and herbs.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup pitted green olives
1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast, let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl, mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough, shape into a flat rectangle, and create holes for the olives.
Fill the holes with olives and sprinkle rosemary on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Rustic Boule

Rustic boule is a classic French bread with a crispy crust and soft interior.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Shape the dough into a round boule and bake for 30-40 minutes.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

French Baguette With Sesame Seeds

Classic French baguette with a nutty sesame seed twist.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup sesame seeds

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and sugar to the mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough, shape into a baguette, and place on the baking sheet.
Brush the top with water and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let the baguette cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Multigrain French Bread

Multigrain French Bread is a healthier twist on classic French bread.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
4 cups multigrain flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup rye flour
1/4 cup oats

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Add multigrain flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl, and mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Add whole wheat flour, rye flour, and oats to the dough, and knead for another 5 minutes.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Punch down the dough, shape it into a baguette, and place it on a baking sheet.
Bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, until it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing.

Homemade Croissants

Buttery, flaky homemade croissants, a classic French pastry.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, beaten

Instructions

Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast, stir gently, and let sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the mixture, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread with softened butter, and fold into thirds.
Roll out the dough again, cut into triangles, and roll each into a croissant shape.
Let the croissants rise for 1 hour, then bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
Brush with beaten egg for a golden glaze and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.

French Milk Bread

French Milk Bread is a soft, lightly sweet bread.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm milk
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast, let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add sugar, flour, and salt to the bowl, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Add melted butter and beaten egg to the dough, mix until fully incorporated.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), punch down the dough and shape it into a round or oblong loaf.
Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove the bread from the oven, let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Crusty Batard

Crusty batard, a classic French bread with a crispy crust and soft interior.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with a baking stone inside.
Punch down the dough, shape into a batard, and place on the preheated stone.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.

Olive Oil and Rosemary French Bread

Olive Oil and Rosemary French Bread is a flavorful twist on traditional French bread.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

Instructions

Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl, let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl, mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Punch down the dough, shape it into a baguette, and sprinkle with rosemary.
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.

Artisanal Baguette

Crusty artisanal baguette with soft interior.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Combine warm water and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Shape the dough into a long, thin baguette.
Bake the baguette for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

French Sourdough Bread

French Sourdough Bread is a classic bread with a tangy flavor.

Ingredients

1 cup warm water
1/4 cup sourdough starter
3 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt

Instructions

Combine warm water and sourdough starter in a bowl.
Add bread flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
Punch down the dough and shape into a round or oblong loaf.
Place the loaf on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 2 hours.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Braided French Bread

Braided French bread is a classic, visually appealing bread.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast, let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt, sugar, and melted butter to the bowl, mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Divide the dough into three equal pieces and roll each into a long rope.
Braid the three ropes together, tucking the ends under the bread.
Place the braided bread on a baking sheet, brush with beaten egg, and let it rise for 30 minutes.
Bake the bread in a preheated oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Garlic and Cheese French Bread

Buttery garlic and cheese French bread is a savory delight.

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup butter
1 cup grated cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Slice French bread in half lengthwise.
Mix minced garlic with softened butter.
Spread garlic butter on each half of the bread.
Sprinkle grated cheese over the garlic butter.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

Conclusion

You’ll be baking thousands of loaves with these 18 crusty French bread recipes! Your kitchen will overflow with the most divine aromas, and everyone will beg for a slice. You’ll become the ultimate bread master, whipping up baguettes and boules like a pro, and your taste buds will do the happy dance with every single bite, it’s absolutely life-changing!