Instant Pot French Bread Recipe

If you are looking to make some fresh, warm French bread without having to wait for the yeast to rise, then this Instant Pot French Bread recipe is just what you need.

French bread is a versatile, delicious treat that can be enjoyed at any time for breakfast or lunch. It has an earthy flavor with just enough sweetness to keep things interesting!

With this recipe, it's easy enough that even beginning cooks can do it with success! Whether you want a loaf of bread right now or have been wanting an excuse to buy yourself an Instant Pot, this is the perfect starter recipe.

What is French Bread?

French bread is a type of long, thin loaf that has been shaped into the usual baguette.

It's named for its country of origin - France!

French bakers would often use this dough to create longer and thinner loaves than their Italian counterparts because it takes less yeast (or more time).

The results are soft yet chewy crusts along side moist centers making them perfect alternatives to white flours based loaves found at your local grocery store.

How to Make Instant Pot French Bread

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes (IP) + 30 minutes (oven) = 1 hour 10 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tbsp quick rise yeast
2 1/2 cup very warm water, divided
6 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp sugar divided
2 tbsp oil
1 egg white

Ingredients:

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the yeast and ½ cup of warm water.

Mix well and allow it to sit for 5-10, or until bubbly.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, oil, and remaining water (2 cups).

Once the yeast has bubbled, add in your flour mixture.

Using a dough hook on a stand mixer, continue to mix the dough for about 5 minutes on a medium speed.

Grease your instant pot inner lid with some oil to prevent your dough from sticking.

Transfer your french bread dough to the instant pot.

Set your instant pot to yogurt mode. Cover with the lid.

At 10 minutes, transfer back to your mixing bowl, and knead for 5 minutes. Transfer back to the instant pot keeping it on yogurt mode. Continue this for a total of 3 times, for 40 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Lightly flour a cookie sheet. Transfer your dough to the pan and separate into two portions.

Form the bread in a long loaf, like a French loaf.

Score the top with a knife. Brush with the egg white to allow your bread to brown.

Place your bread in the oven for 10 minutes. Without removing the bread from the oven, turn the oven degrees down to 375 degrees for an additional 20 minutes.

Enjoy with butter and/or jam! Enjoy!

What to Use French Bread for:

There are many ways to enjoy the taste of fresh, homemade bread. One way is using it as an ingredient in recipes like French toast where its flavor accents sweetness and silkiness - perfect with your morning coffee or tea!

You can also cut pieces off for sandwiches with butter on them; you might not want anything else after one bite (unless there's jam). But if I had my preference...I'd take this amazing tasting slice straight outta the oven!

Either way you slice 'em these tasty treats have so many uses! Use your fresh French Bread to dip in soups, as croutons and much more!

How to Store Fresh Bread

It's a well-known fact that fresh bread is best enjoyed the same day it is made. But how you store your freshly baked goods can make all of the difference! When storing whole loaves, carefully wrap them with plastic wrap to help prolong shelf life at room temperature for up two days before consuming.