Instant Pot French Bread

Ingredients you will need

Here is a quick snapshot of the ingredients you'll need. Scroll down to the recipe card where you'll find exact measurements.

• Flour - no special flours here! This Instant Pot French Bread uses all-purpose flour.
• Active Dry Yeast - use one packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons if you have the bulk jar of yeast. You can use an equivalent amount of instant yeast.
• Warm water - the water should be warm enough to dissolve the yeast. Hot tap water will work for this. Be careful the water is not to hot as the yeast will not like it. Please do not microwave the water to get it warm as it can get away from you.

How to make this

Step 1: Making the bread dough

To start take ⅓ cup of warm water, which is just hot enough to dissolve the yeast that you are adding to the cup. This is warm water from the tap.

Be careful if the water is to hot the yeast won't like it, so be sure not to microwave the water.

Add in the yeast and stir until dissolved then set aside. If you use instant yeast instead skip this step, and whisk directly into the flour.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour and salt.

Make a well in the center, pour in the activated yeast water, and the remaining 1 1-4 cup of water. Stir with a spoon or spatula.

Step 2: Kneading and proofing the dough

The dough should look a bit shaggy, but all the flour should be well combined. Set aside for a few minutes to let the gluten rest prior to kneading.

Turn the dough on the floured surface. If your dough seems to wet then now is the time to work in additional flour. You can use a pastry scraper to help turn or flip the dough ball.

Gently work the bread by continually taking one edge, folding over, flipping, and using the heel of your hand to work the dough to knead thoroughly. Work the dough, adding in flour as needed, until it is smooth and elastic. Form into a small ball.

This Instant Pot French Bread requires three rises or proofs, which is quick to do with the Instant Pot or the Instant Dutch Oven. You will need an Instant Pot that has a Yogurt button in order to do this, and a glass lid or plate to cover the top. The dough should roughly double in size each time it rises/proofs.

Lightly oil the inside of the Instant Pot with oil spray or olive oil. Place the dough ball inside. Cover with a glass lid, and set to the Yogurt function Low for 30-minutes. Do not use the Instant Pot lid to cover as it may get stuck if the dough rises to much.

If using your Instant Dutch Oven lightly oil it, and place the dough ball inside. Cover with the lid. Set to Manual Mode 1 at 85-degrees for one hour.

Once the timer beeps, turn the dough on onto a lightly floured surface. Knead again, and form into a ball of dough. Add the dough back tot he Instant Pot or Instant Dutch Oven to rise/proof again.

For the Instant Pot set to Yogurt function on Low for 30-minutes.

For the Instant Dutch Oven set to Manual Mode 1 at 85-degrees for one-hour.

Time to prep the dough for it's final rise, which is NOT in the Instant Pot. You do have choices here...you can prepare a traditional baguette...OR...you can do them in your bread pans. This bread recipe is perfect for sandwiches, appetizers, or just for snacking.

Remove the dough from the Instant Pot or Instant Dutch Oven, and cut in half. Knead each half into a loaf. Press the loaf flat, and make an indentation in the middle from one long end to the other. Turn the loaf seam side down.

Place a towel or parchment paper on your baking sheet, cover lightly with a towel, and let rise for one hour. I generally will put it in a cold oven to allow the dough to rise its final time.

Step 3: Prep the bread for baking and baking the loaves

Once the dough has risen the final time, remove the towel, and make slits with a knife in the bread. Brush with plain water.

Preheat your oven to 450-degrees. Take a small knife and make three long slits in the top of the dough. Brush the top of the dough with a little water. Bake your Instant Pot French Bread in the oven is 25-minutes. Once done baking brush the bread with melted butter.

Expert tips

Always be sure to check the date on your yeast to make sure it is still good. The best place to store yeast to make sure it lasts longer is in the freezer. After opening be sure to store in the refrigerator.

If the dough is to wet it may have issues rising, so be sure to work in enough flour during the initial kneading to avoid this. You can knead this dough by hand or with the dough hook on your mixer.

Also, if you're house is very cold or your dough didn't double as expected then you can continue to proof without kneading. Do this an additional 30-minutes in the Instant Pot or one-hour in the Instant Dutch oven to increase the size of the dough.

FAQs

Serving suggestions

This Instant Pot French Bread is perfect served alone warm with a pat of butter. You can also serve this with shrimp scampi, beef stew, or with some beef tips and gravy.

Storage & Reheating

Store the leftover bread in an airtight container, plastic wrap, or a plastic bag for up to three days. If you wish the leftovers can be toasted, or warmed in the oven at 200-degrees for a few minutes.

This can be frozen in a plastic bag for up to one month, and thawed on the counter top for use.