breads

Simple Baguette

Crusty, airy baguettes with just four ingredients. The steam trick creates a bakery-quality crust at home.

Prep: 20 min · Cook: 22 min · Total: 3 hours4 servingsMedium4.7 (36 reviews)160 calories per serving

Last tested: 2026-09-10

📸
Servings4

📋 Ingredients

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water. Knead 10 minutes until smooth.

  2. 2

    Let rise 1.5-2 hours until doubled.

  3. 3

    Divide into 4 pieces. Shape each into a 40cm/16-inch baguette.

  4. 4

    Place on a lined baking sheet. Let rest 30 minutes.

  5. 5

    Score with 3 diagonal cuts. Place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven.

  6. 6

    Bake at 230°C/450°F for 20-22 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.

  7. 7

    Cool on a wire rack completely before slicing.

🔄 Swap Table

Original: Bread flour
Swap: All-purpose flour
Slightly less chewy
Original: Instant yeast
Swap: Active dry yeast (½ tsp)
Longer rise time
Original: Water
Swap: Beer (350ml)
Adds yeasty flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

Something went wrong with this recipe?

Our AI Pastry Doctor can diagnose the issue and suggest a fix.

🩺 Ask the Pastry Doctor