Easy French Bread Rolls Recipe

I make these Easy French Bread Rolls when I want people to think I can bake like I have my life together. They’re crusty enough to impress the neighbors, soft enough to fake a chef’s touch, and forgiving enough to survive my habit of wandering off to answer one email and returning to a slightly more experimental oven situation. Try them because they’re basically proof that yeast is a tiny, patient miracle worker — and because if I can do it between school drop-off and pretending to work, you can too.

Once, my husband decided to “help” by proofing dough in the car while we ran errands. Long story short: flour in the glovebox, a very smug toddler who thinks bread is a hat, and a dinner guest who complimented the rolls while my husband apologized to a parking meter for the mess. I’ve also burned a batch because I forgot them while consoling a child over a mysteriously tragic Lego-induced injury. The rolls still tasted better than my apology cookies. No judgment, but yes, this recipe survives chaos.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use warm water from the tap (not scalding) and proof yeast in a bowl while you microwave your coffee. Yeast likes attention, not drama.
– Shortcuts that work but feel a little wrong: buy pre-sliced butter if you’re making garlic rolls. It’s still butter; the universe will be fine.
– Hacks to avoid dishes (because who washes those?): mix dough in the same measuring cup you used for water — rinse with the same water you toast the garlic in later. I’m kidding. Maybe.
– The sneaky trick I actually use when rushing: shape rolls on parchment so the pan stays mostly clean. Yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes.

Serving Ideas

– Split and butter while still warm — dangerous and delicious. Serve with a smug grin.
– Serve with soup, salad, or any saucy thing so people use rolls as tiny edible spoons. Bonus: less cleanup of plates.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts. Serve with sparkling water if you’re trying to convince yourself you’re sober.
– Toast them, make mini sandwiches, or smother in garlic butter and call it brunch. Don’t overthink it; bread was invented to be paired with things.

What to Serve It With

Think classics: tomato soup, creamy chicken stew, or a cheese board that makes you look like you planned ahead. For a quick weeknight flex, dunk in pasta sauce and pretend you made the sauce from scratch. For company, put out a compound butter (herbs + lemon zest + a grin) and watch compliments happen.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Underproof? Let it sit another 10–15 minutes. You’re not failing, you’re slow-proofing.
– Overproof? Bake them anyway. They’ll be extremely airy and make you feel like a soufflé whisperer.
– Don’t slather the tops with too much egg wash unless you want shiny, slightly aggressive rolls. Be moderate; you’re not trying to polish silver.
– If the crust is too tough, tent with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking — not a crime, just an adjustment.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Short-term: keep in a paper bag to maintain crustiness for a day.
– Long-term: freeze fully cooled rolls in a zip bag and reheat in the oven for 10–12 minutes at 350°F. Instant “I planned this” moment.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Add herbs to the dough for a savory twist.
– Make garlic-parmesan rolls by brushing with butter+garlic and sprinkling cheese before baking.
– Gluten-free: use a good blend and follow the package’s liquid adjustments. Pretend you always did it this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy French Bread Rolls Recipe

A delightful recipe for soft and fluffy French bread rolls that are perfect for any meal.

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Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 packet active dry yeast
• ▢ 1 tablespoon sugar helps with yeast activation
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1.5 cups warm water about 110°F (43°C)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
• Add melted butter, salt, and flour gradually to the yeast mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
• Shape each piece into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Let roll rise for another 30 minutes.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

These rolls are best served warm. Consider brushing with additional melted butter right after baking for extra flavor.