🥖 How to Make Authentic French Baguette at Home (Easy, Crispy & Artisan Recipe)

If you’re searching for the best French baguette recipe, you’re in the right place.

This step-by-step guide shows you how to make authentic French baguette at home with a crispy golden crust and a soft, airy crumb — just like in Paris.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced home baker, this recipe is optimized for maximum flavor, perfect texture, and consistent results.

This authentic baguette uses only 4 simple ingredients, this is for one baguette:

1. 250g bread flour (high-protein flour recommended)
2. 5g fine sea salt
3. 3g instant dry yeast (or 15g fresh yeast)
4. 175ml lukewarm water (70% hydration for airy crumb)
5. Digital scale for baking

✅ No sugar

✅ No oil

✅ No additives

Just like real French bakery bread.

Preparation: 20 minutes

Rising time: 2–3 hours

Baking time: 20–25 minutes

Total: About 3 hours

1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
2. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water.
3. Combine everything and mix until a sticky dough forms.
4. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

💡 Tip: The dough should be slightly sticky — that’s what creates an open crumb.

1. Cover with a damp towel.
2. Let rise at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours.
3. Dough should double in size.

For deeper flavor, you can refrigerate overnight (cold fermentation method).

1. Gently divide dough into 2–3 pieces.
2. Flatten lightly into rectangles.
3. Roll tightly into long baguette shapes (about 35–40 cm).
4. Place on parchment paper or baguette tray.

Let rest 30–45 minutes.

1. Preheat oven to 240°C (465°F).
2. Place a tray with hot water at the bottom of oven.
3. Bake baguettes 20–25 minutes.
4. Remove steam tray after 10 minutes for extra crispiness.

🎯 Internal temperature should reach 96–98°C (205–208°F).

Use a baking stone for better crust.

Always bake with steam.

Let cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Tap the bottom — it should sound hollow.

✔ Authentic French method

✔ High hydration dough for airy crumb

✔ Crispy golden crust

✔ Simple ingredients

✔ Beginner-friendly

✔ SEO-optimized step-by-step guide

Why is my baguette not crispy?

You probably didn’t use enough steam or baked at too low temperature.

Can I make baguette without yeast?

Traditional baguette uses yeast. For sourdough, use a natural starter instead.

How do I store homemade baguette?

Store at room temperature in paper for 24 hours. Freeze for longer storage.

You now have a homemade French baguette recipe that rivals a Paris bakery.

Perfect for:

1. Sandwiches
2. Cheese boards
3. Garlic bread
4. Breakfast with butter & jam

If you enjoyed this authentic French baguette recipe, save it, share it, and bake it again — practice makes perfect artisan bread.