7 Baguette Recipes Without a Bread Machine for the Perfect Crusty Loaf

The smell of warm, fresh bread permeating your home is simply unbeatable, but for those who don’t own a bread machine, homemade baguettes can seem out of reach. However, there’s no need to worry! It’s time to take charge and do it yourself with our selection of baguette recipes without a bread machine.
With basic ingredients and some effort, you can make various types of delicious baguettes right in your own kitchen. Regardless of your baking skills, whether expert or beginner, these recipes are foolproof and easy to follow, ensuring perfect results every time.
So, let’s get baking and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something amazing from scratch!

What is the Baguette?

The baguette is more than just a type of bread. It is a cultural icon and a popular part of French cuisine that has won over people’s hearts and palates all over the world.

The shape of the baguette is simple yet iconic. It is a cylindrical, elongated loaf of bread with tapered ends. Its surface is often marked with diagonal slashes, known as “grignes,” which help to control the rise of the dough during baking and give the baguette its distinctive appearance. 

The baguette stands out with its distinct texture and flavour. It has a crispy crust but a soft, chewy interior. When freshly baked, the baguette emits an irresistible aroma that induces hunger.

Baguette Recipes Without a Bread Machine

Let’s now explore different baguette types and recipes that can be easily made at home and without a bread machine.  

Classic French Baguette

The classic French baguette is a timeless bread with a crispy crust and chewy interior that’s perfect for spreading with butter or dipping into soup. Here’s a classic French baguette recipe without a bread machine:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast, and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Combine the flour and salt in a separate bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with flour and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. 
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 230°C.
7. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured surface.
8. Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each into a long, thin baguette shape.
9. Place the baguettes on a greased baking sheet.
10. Make several diagonal cuts across the top of each baguette using a sharp knife.
11. Bake the baguettes for about 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
12. Remove the baguettes from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Sourdough Baguette 

By using sourdough starter instead of yeast, this baguette boasts a tangy flavour and a slightly denser texture. Here’s a sourdough baguette recipe without a bread machine:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups bread flour
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt.
2. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and add the sourdough starter and water.
3. Mix all the ingredients together until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with flour and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. 
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Deflate the dough gently and turn it out onto a floured surface.
7. Divide it into three equal portions and shape each into a tight ball, then let them rest for 15 to 20 minutes. 
8. Shape each ball into a baguette and taper the ends slightly.
9. Place the baguettes on a floured baking pan, cover them with a damp cloth, and let them rise for another hour until they expand.
10. Preheat your oven to 230°C. 
11. Use a sharp knife to make diagonal slashes on the surface of each baguette.
12. Slide the baguettes onto the middle rack of the oven, and add a pan of hot water to the bottom of the oven to create steam.
13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
14. Let them cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Cheese Baguette

If you’re a fan of cheese, you’ll love the cheese baguette. It is a variation of the classic baguette that adds grated cheese to the dough, creating a delicious cheesy flavour. Here’s a cheese baguette recipe without a bread machine: 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water 
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast, and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture, milk, melted butter, and beaten egg to the bowl and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a surface dusted with flour for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 190°C.
7. Punch down the dough and knead in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped thyme until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
8. Shape the dough into a long baguette, and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
10. Let the baguette cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Garlic Bread Baguette

This baguette is a delicious twist on the classic, featuring a crispy exterior and a rich, savoury flavour from garlic butter. Here’s a garlic bread baguette recipe without a bread machine:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup warm water 
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast, and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a separate bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a surface dusted with flour for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
7. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured surface.
8. Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, about 1 cm thick.
9. Spread the minced garlic evenly over the dough.
10. Roll up the dough tightly, starting at the long side, and pinch the seams together to seal.
11. Place the baguettes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
12. Make shallow diagonal cuts across the top of each baguette using a sharp knife.
13. Brush the melted butter over the top and make sure to get the butter into the cuts.
14. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and parsley over the top of the dough.
15. Bake the garlic bread for about 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
16. Remove the baguettes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Chocolate Baguette 

Chocolate baguette is a sweet variation of the classic recipe, featuring a blend of cocoa powder and chocolate chips in the dough for a sweet taste. Here’s a chocolate baguette recipe without a bread machine:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast, and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a surface dusted with flour for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth.
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Punch down the dough, then add the chocolate chips and knead again.
7. Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll them out into elongated baguette shapes.
8. Place the baguettes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
9. Preheat your oven to 190°C.
10. Bake the baguettes for 20 to 25 minutes until they are slightly firm to the touch.
11. Remove the baguettes from the oven and let them cool before slicing and serving.

Multi-cereal Baguette

If you like a little more texture in your bread, a multi-cereal baguette will be a great option. It is also a healthier option if you’re seeking to incorporate more whole grains into your diet. Here’s a multi-cereal baguette recipe without a bread machine:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strong white flour
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 2/3 cups warm water

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the instant yeast in warm water, and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Combine the strong white flour, flour, rolled oats, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a surface dusted with flour for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Punch down the dough and shape it into two long baguettes.
7. Transfer the baguettes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Let the baguettes rise again for another 15 to 20 minutes.
9. Preheat your oven to 220°C.
10. Use a sharp knife to make three diagonal slashes across the top of each baguette.
11. Bake the baguettes for 25 to 30 minutes until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Remove the baguettes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Rosemary Olive Oil Baguette 

This twist on baguette is infused with fragrant rosemary and rich olive oil, giving it a delightful aroma and a slightly nutty flavour. Here’s a rosemary olive oil baguette recipe without a bread machine:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped black olives

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the instant yeast in warm water, and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Combine the flour, rosemary, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients and mix well until a dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, add a bit warmer water, a tablespoon at a time.
4. Knead the dough on a surface dusted with flour for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Punch down the dough, then add the chopped olives and knead again.
7. Divide the dough into three equal parts and roll each into a long, thin baguette.
8. Place them on a greased baking sheet, cover them with a damp cloth, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Preheat your oven to 200°C. 
10. Make shallow diagonal cuts across the top of each baguette using a sharp knife. 
11. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
12. Remove the baguettes from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool before serving.

Keep Baking!

As you can see, homemade baguette recipes without a bread machine are easier than you might think! With our collection of simple, delicious recipes, you will be impressed by the incredible baguettes you can make without a bread machine. So, preheat the oven and embark on your next baking adventure.

And if you’re looking for more bread-baking inspiration, check out our website for other great recipes, such as our banana almond bread recipe and the different potato bread recipes. 

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