French bread in a bread maker is incredibly simple and easy to make. It uses only six simple ingredients that can be found in almost all households. And using the bread maker means the process is super basic too. It will mix the dough ingredients, knead it, proof it, and give a beef when the dough is ready to shape and bake!
Purchasing this bread maker has completely transformed my bread making! Bread used to intimidate me so much before or feel like a lot of work and maintenance—now feels easy peasy.
I love feeding my family fresh bread with simple ingredients rather than store bought bread full of additives that can be harmful for our health in the long run. Knowing my bread maker will do either all or most of the work for me (depending on what kind of bread I’m making) makes me feel more willing to make homemade bread!
The Dough
To make French bread in the bread maker simply pour in water, oil, salt, sugar, flour, and yeast. The order the ingredients are placed inside is important—the yeast should not touch the wet ingredients or it may not activate!
Once the ingredients are placed inside, lock in the bread tin and choose the dough option on the bread maker. When the dough is kneaded and proofed, it will let out a beep. Remove the dough and place on a floured tray.
Shaping the French Bread
Separate the dough into equal pieces—the size depends completely on you. Sometimes I make regular sized French bread and something I make tiny ones for fun!
Form a log shape with the dough. Then gather the sides together and pinch on top to help it hold the log shape. Do this for each one. Then use a sharp knife, blade, or scissor to score the top of each loaf.
The Baking
Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Place the tray of French loaves into the oven. I like to throw in a few ice cubes right into the bottom of the oven to add a little steam to the baking process. It helps to make a bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft in the inside.
Bake until golden brown and cooked through. If you’re like me and like to be completely certain—a thermometer entered into the center of a loaf should read 195° to 210° Fahrenheit.
Remove the loaves from the oven and let cool before enjoying. Store any leftover bread in a zip lock bag or airtight container. It will keep for a few days on the countertop or over a week in the fridge.
Ingredients
Time: 2 hours
Makes 6-7 medium loaves
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp yeast
Directions
1. Place all the ingredients into the bread maker tin in the order listed
2. Choose the dough setting on the bread maker and allow it to mix, knead, and proof the dough
3. Remove the dough once ready onto a flour baking tray. Shape into logs, gather the sides and pinch on top, then score with a knife, blade, or scissors
4. Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, adding ice cubes to the bottom of the oven if desired. Let cool and enjoy!