French Bread Buns: an easy, kid-friendly recipe that’s delicious on its own or served with soup, jam, or butter.
This simple French bread bun recipe is one of my go-to breads at home. It’s straightforward to make, soft, and versatile — great with soup, jam, butter, or simply on its own. A few months ago I wanted a child-friendly bread, and this is what I developed. My 3-year-old loves them and will happily eat three or four right after they come out of the oven. They’re a generous size, very tender, and keep well. I shared this recipe with my sisters and it’s quickly become a family staple. I hope you enjoy these buns as much as we do.
French Bread Buns Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (you may need slightly less)
- Active dry yeast
- Granulated sugar
- Fine salt
- Warm water
- Extra-virgin olive oil
1. In a small bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups warm water (heat briefly in microwave if needed), 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Set aside for about 10 minutes to let the yeast bloom and become frothy.
2. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon fine salt, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, and the rested yeast mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough comes together, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
Rolling and Baking the Buns
3. After the first rise, gently deflate the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and shape each piece into a smooth round ball. Place the buns onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced about 2 inches apart. Cover with a clean cloth and allow them to rise again at room temperature for about 40 minutes, until puffed and nearly doubled.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the buns for 18–20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and keep the buns wrapped in a clean cloth for a few minutes to preserve softness while cooling slightly. Once fully cooled, store in a resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to a week, or enjoy fresh the same day.
More Bread Recipes to Explore:
- Apple Blueberry Honey Bread Recipe + Video
- Banana Berries Bread Recipe + Video
- Raspberry Pecan Honey Bread
- White Bread Machine Bread
French Bread Buns
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (might need less)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
-
Mix 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1 tbsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Set aside for about 10 minutes to rest and rise.
-
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups sifted flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp olive oil, and the yeast mixture. Stir in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Oil a bowl lightly, place dough inside, cover, and let rise for 1 hour at room temperature.
-
Deflate the dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. Shape into rounds and place them 2″ apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for about 40 minutes until doubled. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake 18–20 minutes until golden. Keep the buns wrapped in a cloth while cooling to preserve softness or store in a sealed bag once cooled.