FRENCH BREAD in Bread Machine

Learn how to make French bread in bread machine right now. See how it’s done so EASY. Just follow the step-by-step process. Also, this is part of our Bakery, Bread, Side Dishes, French Cuisine, Holidays, Christmas, & Thanksgiving Categories.

About French Bread

Typically, French bread going to be long, skinnier loaves and not real wide. Also, this bread is super chewy and is excellent for subs, slices for dipping or garlic bread, or bulk tearing off chunks for serving. You can make French Bread using bread machines easily.

What Bread Machine for French Bread

You can use any kind of bread machine for French bread, using the dough cycle. So yes, you can make French bread in a bread maker. We make this in the Zojirushi bread maker but there are no steps in the owner’s manual other than the dough cycle. In other words, make this recipe in your own bread maker. So, ensure you put in the ingredients as mentioned in the recipe. Then, start it for the dough cycle. Read further to see those steps.

This is How to Make French Bread in Bread Machine

Learn how to make French bread in a bread maker now. So, keep reading to see how it’s done, step-by-step. To start, make the dough in the bread maker in dough mode. Then, shape it on the counter, prepare it, and bake it in the oven. Start following the details of that process.

Step 1. French Bread in Bread Machine: Make The Dough

Make the dough loaf by following the French Bread bread machine dough recipe. It’s easy to follow along here:

1. Add the ingredients into the bread maker in the order given.
2. Then, set it for the dough cycle (course #11 in Zojirushi brand).
3. Finally, just start it. It takes a little under 2 hours.

Step 2. French Bread in Bread Machine: Shape Into Loaves

After the dough cycle is done, shape the French Bread dough into a loaf.

1. Remove the dough from the bread machine and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 12-inches by 24-inches.
2. Then, from the long side, roll it up and cut it in half.
3. After that, pinch off all the seams, using water to help seal them.
4. Finally, squeeze and stretch a roll to make each one 14 to 18-inches long.

Step 3. French Bread in Bread Machine: Loaves Rise

The hard part is done! Now, place the 2 loaves onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Then, make about 3-4 angled cuts into each and cover with a cloth for a little under an hour.

Step 4. French Bread in Bread Machine: Bake in Oven

Now, bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 30-35 minutes. Then, remove them from the baking sheet and cool for about 10 minutes before slicing into 1/3 to 2/3-inch servings.

How to Impact the Crust of French Bread

This is how to impact the crusty of the French Bread, whether you want it crusty or soft. Read further under each section discussing the Crusty and the Soft techniques.

How to Make French Bread CRUSTY

This is how to make French bread crusty. So, before placing in the oven, lightly brush the top(s) with olive oil.

How to Make French Bread SOFT

This is how to make French bread soft. So, just before placing in the oven, brush the top(s) with water (or with egg white whisked with 1 tsp water.

Oven Steaming for Enhanced French Bread

If your oven is built for it (only if your oven manual says it is), you can pour in about 1/2 cup of water in the bottom just after inserting the dough loaves to bake.

If your oven isn’t designed for receiving water on the bottom for steaming, you have another option.  You can place another baking sheet (or other baking container) with the water in it, below the bread shelf. The steaming effect will enhance the overall bread.

Storing French Bread

This is about storing French bread, after you’ve baked it, and you have an excess left over. Any unsliced loaves or slices can be put into an appropriate bread bag for storage. Typically, you use a thinner bread bag for hard crusts and a thick bag for maintaining soft crusts. For freezing, if using a thin bread bag (for a hard crust), you’ll possibly want to put that bagged bread also into a thicker plastic food storage bag to avoid freezer burns and hard bread.

Also, please know that the bakery chefs don’t like the idea of refrigerating nor freezing baked bread, as it changes its consistency, longevity when thawed, and flavor. But, my wife and I are fine with it and do it all the time. I just ensure I use appropriate bagging for storage. We save valuable time, effort, and money. And it still tastes great to us!

How to Thaw French Bread

This is how to thaw French bread and serve it. Remove the baked French bread loaf from the freezer (or refrigerator) and leave it in the bag (if you double-bagged, you can remove the outer one). Then, after the bagged bread has set out for about 1-2 hours (from fridge) or 2-4 hours (from freezer), it’s ready for serving.

Keep reading to see about reheating French bread, whether it’s thawed out or not.

Reheat French Bread Oven Methods

Here is how to use the reheat French bread oven methods. The baked bread should be removed from its storage bag. Preheat the oven to 350⁰F. You can optionally sprinkler (by hand) some water droplets across the loaves to aid in moisture retention.

• If from the counter and is already at room temperature
  • Place it in the preheated oven for about 5-6 minutes (on the oven shelf or on a baking sheet).
• If from the fridge
  • Place it in the preheated oven for about 7-10 minutes (on the oven shelf or on a baking sheet).

Reheating Frozen French Bread

For reheating frozen French bread, place it in the 350⁰F preheated oven for about 12-18 minutes (on the oven shelf or on a baking sheet). Alternatively, you can increase the oven to be preheated at 375⁰F, wrap the frozen loaf completely in foil, and check it in about 8 minutes.

Serve French Bread with Olive Oil Dipping

If you want, you can choose to serve thick, warm slices of French bread with olive oil dipping. Rather than just plain olive oil, however, here’s the recipe for a true Gourmet Seasoned Bread Dipping Oil that’s great. Also, it’s much more flavorful than Carrabbas Italian restaurant’s olive oil dipping sauce.

To start, cut the warmed bread loaf into angled slices about 3/4-inch thick. Then, place the bread slices into a cloth that’s been draped across a serving bowl or bread basket. Finish it by folding the cloth corners over to cover the bread to keep it warm. It’s also good without the dipping oil when you soak up the gravy from a stew like London Broil Beef Stew Slow Cooker recipe.

Also, it’s a great side for Cheesy Beefaroni.

Nutritional Values of Homemade French Bread

The nutritional values of homemade French Bread are shown in the <Print Recipe> option. Vital Wheat Gluten is optional but it does add an extra level to its chewiness.

Uses of Leftover French Bread

You can use leftover French Bread in several ways. And, these are good even when the French bread has become stale.

• Garlic Crostinis (a crispy garlic flavored snack)
• Croutons in the Oven for salads
• Cinnamon toast

Related to How to Make French Bread in a Bread Maker

Conclusion of How to Make French Bread in Bread Machine

Now you’ve seen the entire methods of French bread in bread machine. So, go ahead and give it a try. Also, read this article about French breads in France.