Crusty French Bread Rolls (Printable version)

Golden, crispy outside and tender inside. Perfect warm with butter or alongside soups.

# What you need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
03 - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
05 - 1 teaspoon sugar

→ Topping

06 - 1 tablespoon flour for dusting

# How To:

01 - Combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add bread flour and salt to yeast mixture. Mix until dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down dough. Divide into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a ball or oval.
05 - Place rolls on parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with towel and let rise for 30-40 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a tray of water on bottom rack to create steam for crustier texture.
07 - Dust tops lightly with flour. Slash each roll with sharp knife. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
08 - Transfer rolls to wire rack and cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crust creates this incredible shattering sound when you bite into it, followed by the most tender interior you have ever tasted
  • These rolls transform any meal into something special, but they are simple enough for a Tuesday night dinner
02 -
  • The water tray in the oven is not optional—without steam, you will get soft rolls instead of crusty ones
  • Letting the dough fully double during the first rise is non-negotiable for the right texture
03 -
  • Weighing your ingredients instead of using cups will give you consistent results every time
  • The slash marks are not just for looks—they prevent the rolls from bursting unevenly while baking

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