A crispy baguette is one of the most iconic elements of French cuisine, often regarded as the perfect companion to a meal or enjoyed on its own with a little butter or cheese. Known for its light, airy interior and golden, crispy crust, the French baguette is a symbol of culinary tradition and craftsmanship. With its unique texture and subtle flavor, a well-made baguette can elevate any dish, whether it’s a gourmet sandwich or served alongside a hearty soup.
The key to a perfect baguette lies in the baking process. The dough, made from simple ingredients like flour, water, salt, and yeast, is given time to rise and develop flavor before being shaped into the long, slender loaf that defines the baguette. It is the high heat and the steam in the oven that gives the baguette its signature crispy, golden crust, creating a delightful crunch when you bite into it.
The inside of a crispy baguette is just as important as the exterior. It should be light, airy, and slightly chewy, with an open crumb structure that makes it perfect for dipping in soups, sauces, or even used to soak up the juices from a delicious French stew. The subtle flavor of the bread complements a wide range of toppings, from classic French butter and jam to more savory options like pâté, cheese, or smoked salmon.
Whether served fresh from the bakery or toasted to perfection, a crispy baguette is a versatile and essential part of French dining. It’s the perfect bread for enjoying a leisurely breakfast, a casual snack, or as part of a more elaborate meal. With its irresistible crunch and delicate flavor, the crispy baguette remains a beloved classic in kitchens and on dining tables around the world.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 1/4 cups warm water about 110°F
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast one packet
- 1 teaspoon salt fine sea salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the flour all at once and mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Shape the dough into baguette form and place on a baking sheet.
- Make slashes on top of the dough and bake for 25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Let it cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition
Baguettes are French right? Mine tasted just like bread from the store. 😕
Can someone explain why my dough didn’t rise? Is it the yeast? 🤔
This recipe was a total disaster for me! Followed it to the letter but it turned out like a brick.
I’m so sorry to hear that! Sometimes bread can be tricky. Did you make sure the water was the right temperature? Too hot or too cold can mess things up!
A brick? Wow, must’ve been some tough bread. Maybe you kneaded it too much? Just a thought.
So good! I can’t believe I made these baguettes from scratch. They were crispy and delicious!
why preheat the oven? Isn’t it wasteful? I just turn it on when I’m ready to bake.
Preheating helps the bread cook evenly. If you don’t, it might not rise right! Just my opinion.
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside! Perfect for my homemade sandwiches!
Loved it! But just wondering, does the dough need to rise in a warm place?
Easy to follow! My family loved these baguettes, I will definitely make them again!
I didn’t have sea salt, used regular salt. Didn’t notice a difference. Still tasted good!
I never bake but thought I’d try this. Turned out alright, not the prettiest but edible! 😂
Good for you for trying! Baking can be tricky at first. Keep at it! 🍞
Yum! Super crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside! Perfect for sandwiches. You gotta try it!
Pretty good, but I think I should have let it rise longer. Still tasted better than store-bought.
Store-bought? Ugh, I wouldn’t dare! Homemade is always best, even if it’s a bit off. Keep at it!
I totally get that! letting it rise longer helps a lot with texture. 👍 Why not try it again?
This baguette was amazing! Perfect crust and chewy inside. Would definitely make it again!
I’m glad you loved it! It’s my go-to recipe for when I want to impress guests. The crust really does make a difference!
Uh, isn’t 450°F too hot? I baked mine at 400°F and it still turned out fine.
This recipe was a disaster! My dough never rose. What did I do wrong? 😡
Just made these, best baguettes I ever had! Gonna pair it with some soup. Yum!
Just bread, lol. Who really needs a recipe for that?
Mine burned on the bottom. Oven issues or recipe? Who knows!
Simple ingredients and easy steps! I’m a total novice, but mine turned out great! Thanks!
Great job! But isn’t baguette supposed to be that fancy French thing? I’m not sure you’re doing it right, just saying.
I’m so glad it worked out for you! The dough can be tricky, but it sounds like you nailed it! 🍞
Absolutely love this! Best baguette I’ve ever made at home. So crispy and perfect! 🥖❤️
I made these for a dinner party, and they were a hit! Everyone loved the crunchiness! 🤗
I didn’t have all-purpose flour so I used whole wheat. It was… different. 😅
I thought bread needs the AP flour to rise good? How’d it turn out actually?
Whole wheat gives it a unique flavor! Next time, try mixing 50-50 with all-purpose flour. 😊
Baguette? More like bag-what!? I couldn’t get the dough to shape right.
I don’t understand why my dough didn’t rise. I followed everything you said! I think it was the yeast, maybe?
It might be the yeast! Did you check the expiration date? Fresh yeast is key for rising. Don’t give up!
Best baguette recipe ever! Just like the ones from Paris! 🥖❤️
I tried this recipe and it turned out amazing! It really did remind me of France. Thanks for sharing! 🌍🥖
Baking this for my kid’s birthday party! Hope they love it! I’ll let you know how it turns out 🙂
Wow, just wow! This recipe is a game changer. So crispy and delicious! 🥖❤️
Perfect bake time! Everyone at the dinner loved it. Going to try making sandwiches now.
Crispy outside, soft inside, just like they say! My family gobbled it up! ☺️
Is this really how you make baguettes? I thought you needed a steam oven or something?!
I dunno. My bread never turns out like real baguettes. Do you really need steam? 🤔
Yes, you can make baguettes without a steam oven! Just a good technique and high heat.
This bread recipe is the best ever! I can’t believe how crispy it turned out. My family loved it!
I followed the directions but it didn’t rise at all. What did I do wrong? Disappointed.
Why do you have to wait an hour for it to rise? Too long if you’re hungry! 1 star for that.
Easy peasy! I added some herbs for flavor and it turned out great. Thanks!
Good stuff! But it takes too much time. Next time I might just buy one.
My first attempt at baking bread and it flopped. Still tasted okay though. 🤷♂️
I followed the recipe but it didn’t rise. What did I do wrong? Super disappointed.
This recipe is amazing! Just baked my first baguette and it turned out perfectly golden! Will definitely make again.
Congrats on your first baguette! That’s awesome, isn’t it? Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread! 🥖✨
Made these baguettes and they were devoured in minutes! Perfect with soup. Thanks for sharing!
This recipe was super easy to follow! The baguettes turned out perfect. 🥖
I’m glad to hear it worked for you! I tried it too and it was pretty yummy. 🥖
Huh? What’s a baguette? Is it like a bread stick? 😂 Didn’t help me so much.
This recipe is fantastic! The baguettes came out so crispy and golden. My family loved them! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! It really is all about that perfect crust! 🥖
Crispy? Mine turned out soft. Maybe I did somethin wrong, idk🤷♂️.
I think I added too much water, dough was too sticky. Can someone help me?
I dunno, mine didn’t look like the picture. Taste was okay but not crispy at all.
Too much flour! My dough was so stiff, I couldn’t even knead it right. Probably not making again.
Yum! Beautiful baguettes! Perfect for my cheese and jam. Will be making this again for sure!
Thank you! I can’t wait to try this with some avocado too!
Looks good but I doubt it will be as crispy as they say. Might just stick to store-bought.
Isn’t yeast just bacteria making bread all foamy? History of it is weird.
Too much flour! I ended up with a brick instead of a baguette, lol. Going to try again, but with less flour this time.
It was okay, but my baguette didn’t rise as much as I thought it would. Maybe my yeast was old?
Crispy and golden! My oven is a bit unpredictable but this turned out fine. A bit burnt on the bottom though.
Glad it turned out crispy! Burnt bottoms happen sometimes, maybe try a lower temp next time?
I don’t get how u managed to burn it tho! I made this yesterday and it was perfect. What oven do u use?
Great recipe but maybe use parchment paper on the sheet? Easy cleanup! ✌️
Did I miss somethin? My dough was too sticky and didn’t work at all. Gonna try again though.
Maybe you added too much water? I had the same issue once. Just a little bit at a time next time! Good luck!
It’s alright, but can I add things like garlic or cheese? Thought the recipe was a bit plain.
Yummm! So good! I added some herbs for extra flavor. Can’t wait to make again!
THIS IS SO GOOD!!! I can’t believe I made something this amazing at home!
I don’t understand why it’s so important to let it rise. Doesn’t that take too long?
Bread is hard! Why is there so much kneading? I just wanted some toast 😩