Liputan6.com, Jakarta Looking for the perfect baguette recipe to make at home? You’re in the right place. Nothing beats the smell and taste of freshly baked baguette. With a little time and patience, you can make your own delicious French bread.
The baguette is a long, thin loaf of French bread known for its crispy crust and soft inside. This classic bread has a rich history in French culture and is enjoyed worldwide. A traditional baguette recipe uses just a few ingredients, like flour, water, yeast, and salt. However, the result is something special.
In this article, we’ll guide you through a simple baguette recipe and give you tips to get the best results. We will also talk about how to store your baguette correctly, how to revive stale baguette, and tasty ideas to eat this bread. We gathered the information from various sources, Friday (11/7/2025).
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Easy Baguette Recipe
This simple baguette recipe uses basic ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen. The process takes time but requires little active work. Follow these steps to create authentic French bread at home.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: Put flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Stir them together with a wooden spoon.
2. Add Water and Oil: Pour warm water and olive oil into the flour mixture. Mix until a rough dough forms. The dough will look shaggy at first.
3. Knead the Dough: Put the dough on a clean surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This step develops the gluten that gives baguettes their texture.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
5. Shape the Baguettes: Divide the dough into two pieces. Roll each piece into a long, thin shape about 12 inches long. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Second Rise: Cover the shaped baguettes with a cloth. Let them rise for 45 minutes until they puff up slightly.
7. Score and Bake: Use a sharp knife to make diagonal cuts on top of each baguette. Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
8. Cool Completely: Let the baguettes cool on a wire rack before slicing. This helps the inside finish cooking.
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Tips to Make the Best Homemade Baguette
These helpful tips will improve your baguette recipe results. Small changes can make a big difference in your final bread quality.
- Use the Right Flour: Bread flour works better than all-purpose flour for baguettes. The higher protein content creates better structure and chewiness.
- Check Water Temperature: Warm water should feel comfortable on your wrist. Too hot water kills the yeast, while cold water slows down rising.
- Knead Properly: Good kneading develops gluten, which gives baguettes their chewy texture. The dough should feel smooth and bounce back when poked.
- Create Steam in the Oven: Place a pan of hot water on the bottom oven rack while baking. Steam helps create a crispy crust that makes baguettes special.
- Don't Rush the Rising: Give the dough enough time to rise properly. Slow rising develops better flavor in your homemade bread.
- Score Deeply: Make cuts about 1/4 inch deep on the baguette surface. This allows the bread to expand properly during baking.
How to Store Baguette
Fresh baguettes taste best when eaten the same day you bake them. However, you can keep them fresh for a few days with proper storage techniques. The key is protecting the bread from air while maintaining the crispy crust.
Store your baguette wrapped in aluminum foil at room temperature. The foil keeps moisture in while preventing the crust from getting too soft. Place the wrapped bread in a cool, dry place like your pantry. Avoid plastic bags because they make the crust soggy. This method keeps baguettes fresh for 2-3 days.
Freezing works well for longer storage of your baguette recipe results. Wrap the cooled bread tightly in aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer bag. Frozen baguettes stay good for up to 3 months. To use frozen bread, let it thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours, then warm it in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.
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Tasty Ways to Eat Baguette
A fresh baguette offers many delicious eating options. These ideas help you enjoy your homemade bread in different ways throughout the day.
- Classic French Sandwich: Cut the baguette lengthwise and fill with ham, cheese, and butter. This simple combination highlights the bread's flavor.
- Garlic Bread: Slice the baguette, spread with garlic butter, and toast until golden. Perfect as a side dish for pasta or soup.
- Bruschetta Base: Toast thin slices and top with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The crispy texture holds toppings well.
- Bread Bowl for Soup: Hollow out a section of baguette to create an edible bowl. Fill with your favorite hot soup for a hearty meal.
- French Toast Sticks: Cut day-old baguette into strips, dip in egg mixture, and cook until golden. Serve with syrup for breakfast.
- Croutons for Salad: Cube the bread, toss with olive oil and herbs, then bake until crispy. Homemade croutons taste much better than store-bought ones.
How to Revive Stale Baguette
If your baguette has gone dry, don't throw it away.. With the right technique, you can make stale bread taste fresh again and enjoy your baguette recipe results longer. Here's how you can revive a stale baguette at home:
1. Check the Bread Condition: Make sure the baguette is just stale, not moldy. Stale bread feels hard but shows no signs of spoilage.
2. Run Under Water Quickly: Hold the baguette under running water for 2-3 seconds. The outside should be damp but not soaked.
3. Wrap in Aluminum Foil: Cover the damp baguette completely with foil. This creates steam during heating.
4. Heat in the Oven: Place the wrapped bread in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. The steam softens the inside while the heat crisps the crust.
5. Remove Foil and Finish: Take off the foil and bake for 2-3 more minutes. This step restores the crispy outside texture.
6. Cool Briefly and Serve: Let the bread cool for 5 minutes before cutting. The inside will be soft and the outside crispy, just like fresh baguettes.
This revival method works best with bread that is 1-2 days old. Older bread may not restore as well, but you can still use it for croutons or breadcrumbs in other recipes.
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