Soft Fluffy French Bread Recipe
If the thought of tearing into a freshly baked loaf with a pillowy crumb and a golden, buttery crust makes your heart skip a beat, Soft Fluffy French Bread is your dream come true. This bread delivers that bakery-level texture right from your own oven, with a delicate richness from olive oil and just a hint of sweetness. Whether you’re on a mission to impress dinner guests, or just want to enjoy the irresistible aroma of bread wafting through your kitchen, Soft Fluffy French Bread is about to become your go-to classic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With only a handful of simple pantry staples, you’ll transform humble ingredients into something extraordinary. Each element serves a special purpose: flavor, structure, or that mouthwatering finish. Let’s break down what makes Soft Fluffy French Bread so magical:
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the bread, this creates the perfect structure and light crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: A touch of sweetness helps activate the yeast and enhances browning.
- Active Dry Yeast: The secret behind all that rise and signature fluffiness.
- Salt: Essential for balanced flavor, bringing out all the subtle notes.
- Warm Water: Activates the yeast and brings all the dough ingredients together nicely (aim for about 110°F).
- Olive Oil: For a nuanced flavor, tender crumb, and moist texture in every slice.
- Melted Butter: Brushed on while the bread is warm for a beautifully soft and golden crust.
How to Make Soft Fluffy French Bread
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by pouring the warm water into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the sugar and yeast, then give everything a gentle stir. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes—when it turns foamy on top, you’ll know your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic transforming your dough into Soft Fluffy French Bread.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add the olive oil, salt, and 3 1/2 cups of the flour into your activated yeast. Use a wooden spoon or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer to stir until a shaggy dough begins to form. Gradually add the remaining flour, a bit at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides and feels soft (but not too sticky). This step is essential for that classic Soft Fluffy French Bread texture!
Step 3: Knead Until Smooth
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes by hand, or use a dough hook in your mixer for 5–6 minutes, until the dough feels elastic and smooth. If the dough sticks to your hands, sprinkle it with a little extra flour. Kneading builds the structure that gives Soft Fluffy French Bread its beautiful, airy crumb.
Step 4: First Rise
Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 60 to 90 minutes, or until it’s doubled in size. This is when your dough develops those lovely pockets of air that make each slice so light and fluffy.
Step 5: Shape and Second Rise
Punch down the dough to release extra air, then shape it into one large loaf or two smaller baguette-style loaves. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise for another 30 minutes. This quick second rise ensures your Soft Fluffy French Bread has the perfect volume and texture.
Step 6: Slash and Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Just before baking, use a sharp knife to make shallow slashes along the top of the loaf—this classic touch helps the bread expand while baking and looks beautiful. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until your kitchen smells divine and the bread turns golden and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.
Step 7: Brush with Butter
As soon as the bread comes out of the oven, brush the top with melted butter. This finishing touch gives your Soft Fluffy French Bread an extra-soft crust and a gorgeous sheen. Let the bread cool slightly before slicing—if you can wait that long!
How to Serve Soft Fluffy French Bread
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, fresh chopped herbs like parsley or rosemary, or even a dusting of garlic powder on top for an extra layer of flavor. For special occasions, infuse your melted butter with fresh garlic or herbs before brushing for a gourmet touch on your Soft Fluffy French Bread.
Side Dishes
This bread is a showstopper alongside almost anything! Serve thick, warm slices next to classic soups like tomato or minestrone, pair with a hearty stew, or use as a base for bruschetta toasts at your next gathering. Of course, Soft Fluffy French Bread is also perfect for sopping up every last bit of pasta sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, serve as a stunning bread board: slice your loaf, fan the pieces out on a rustic wooden board, and nestle in cheeses, fruit, and spreads. Alternatively, cut Soft Fluffy French Bread into cubes for fondue, or hollow out a cooled loaf for a bread bowl filled with your favorite dip. The possibilities are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Soft Fluffy French Bread fresh by wrapping the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or foil once completely cooled. Store at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, slice and store in an airtight container to keep that irresistible softness intact.
Freezing
This bread freezes like a dream! After cooling, slice the loaf and wrap tightly in foil or plastic, then place in a freezer bag. Soft Fluffy French Bread will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months—just grab a slice or two whenever you crave homemade bread.
Reheating
To restore that just-baked freshness, pop slices in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works for 10–15 seconds, but the oven preserves the crust best. Lightly mist with water before reheating to recapture that ultimate Soft Fluffy French Bread softness.
FAQs
Why did my bread turn out dense, not fluffy?
The most common culprit is not enough kneading or improper rise times. Be sure the yeast is activated, knead until the dough is elastic, and allow both rises to double in volume for the best Soft Fluffy French Bread texture.
Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! Bread flour has a higher protein content, which can give your loaf an even chewier structure. Your Soft Fluffy French Bread will be just as delicious—experiment to see which texture you prefer.
Can I add other flavors to the bread?
Definitely! Mix in dried herbs, garlic powder, or even a handful of grated cheese right after the first mix for extra flavor. Customizing your Soft Fluffy French Bread is one of the joys of home baking.
My dough is too sticky. What should I do?
If your dough is sticking to your hands and not coming together, gradually add a bit more flour (one tablespoon at a time) until soft and pliable, but not dry. Be patient—every batch can vary slightly, but don’t overdo it or you’ll lose that soft, fluffy texture.
Can I shape this into rolls instead of a loaf?
Absolutely! This dough is wonderfully versatile. Simply divide into small pieces, shape into rolls, and adjust the baking time to about 15–18 minutes. You’ll have pillowy-soft dinner rolls with all the character of Soft Fluffy French Bread.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend making Soft Fluffy French Bread at home enough—it’s simple, satisfying, and turns every meal into something special. Give it a try and savor those warm, fragrant slices; I promise, you’ll be hooked from the very first bite!
Print
Soft Fluffy French Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 large loaf (or 2 small loaves) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make soft and fluffy French bread at home with this easy recipe. This homemade bread is perfect for sandwiches, toasting, or enjoying on its own.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
Finishing:
- 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Add olive oil, salt, and most of the flour. Knead until smooth.
- Rise: Let the dough rise until doubled in size.
- Shape and Bake: Form into a loaf or baguettes. Let rise again, then bake until golden and hollow-sounding.
- Finish: Brush with melted butter for a soft crust.
Notes
- Enhance with garlic powder or herbs for extra flavor.
- Freezes well once cooled—slice and wrap tightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
