Name: Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls – Bread Easy Recipes You’ll Crave
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F); 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra if needed)

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Let’s talk about these crusty, chewy French bread rolls. I mean, if there’s anything that gets my kitchen smelling like a bakery in Paris, it’s this recipe. These rolls have that crackly golden exterior that makes you want to tap them like a drum (yes, I’ve done that), and the inside is soft enough to mop up soup but sturdy enough for sandwich duty. We’re not doing anything fancy here—just the basics: flour, yeast, water, salt. But somehow, when they come together with a little patience (and love), they transform into something better than what you’ll find at most store bakeries. And let’s be honest, fresh bread at home just hits different. I make these whenever I need something quick but still homemade. They’re perfect if you’re into fast rising yeast bread easy recipes or if you’re just tired of store-bought loaves that go stale by Tuesday. So let’s get some flour on our hands and make magic.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls Recipe
3) Ingredients for Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls
4) How to Make Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls
5) Tips for Making Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls
6) Making Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls
8) Try these Bread recipes next!
9) Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

How to get crusty golden bread at home without fancy tools
Why fast rising yeast bread easy recipes are a weeknight hero
The magic of chewy centers and crisp edges
Storage tricks that keep rolls fresh longer

2) Easy Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls Recipe

If you’ve ever found yourself craving that perfect crusty roll with a soft chewy bite, then you’re in for a treat. These rolls don’t ask for much — just a few basics from your pantry and a bit of time. What you get in return? A bread basket that smells like a little French bakery landed in your kitchen. Twice. I’ve made this recipe more times than I care to count, and the best part? You don’t need to be some kind of dough wizard.

We all have our go-to comfort carbs. For me, these chewy rolls top the list. They’re reliable, they freeze well, and they come together faster than most bread easy recipes. And when your sandwich bread lets you down midweek, these little guys come to the rescue. Just bake, slice, and pile on the good stuff.

Using fast rising yeast helps cut down waiting time, so you can have homemade baked breads on the table without devoting an entire afternoon. Honestly, if your house smells like fresh bread while you’re working through your to-do list, that’s a win right there.

3) Ingredients for Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls

Warm Water: Start with water that feels like a nice bath—warm, not hot. Around 110°F is perfect to wake up the yeast.

Active Dry Yeast: This is what gives our rolls life—literally. It creates those tiny bubbles that help the dough rise and become light and fluffy inside.

Granulated Sugar: A little sugar helps feed the yeast and gives the crust just a touch of golden sweetness.

Vegetable Oil: Just a bit keeps the dough soft and pliable without overpowering the flavor. Olive oil works too, but keep it neutral.

Salt: This brings out all the subtle flavors in the dough. Without it, the bread tastes flat, no matter how crusty it looks.

All-Purpose Flour: The base of our rolls. You’ll need enough to make a dough that’s soft but not sticky.

4) How to Make Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and wait 10 minutes until it’s foamy. That means it’s alive and ready.

Step 2: Add oil, salt, and half the flour. Mix until it forms a thick batter. Then, add more flour, bit by bit, until it turns into dough.

Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured counter for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth. It should spring back when you poke it.

Step 4: Let it rise in a greased bowl. Cover it and put it in a warm place for an hour. It should double in size.

Step 5: Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 pieces. Shape each into a ball and place on a baking tray.

Step 6: Cover the rolls and let them rise again for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F.

Step 7: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are golden and the bottoms sound hollow when tapped.

5) Tips for Making Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls

Make sure your yeast is still active. If it doesn’t foam after 10 minutes, it’s probably dead. Start over. No shame, just science.

Don’t rush the kneading. It builds the gluten that gives these rolls their chewy middle and crackly crust. Trust the process—it’s worth it.

And don’t skip the second rise. That’s when they get their shape and those beautiful air pockets inside. Yes, it’s tempting to bake them early. Don’t.

6) Making Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls Ahead of Time

If you’re anything like me, you love the smell of fresh bread at dinner but don’t always have time to start from scratch. Good news—you can make these rolls ahead. After shaping them into balls, place them on a tray, cover them, and pop them in the fridge overnight.

Next day? Let them come to room temp and rise for about 45 minutes before baking. This gives you freshly baked rolls right when you want them, no yeast drama at 5pm.

Another trick? Bake and freeze. Let them cool, then seal tightly. Reheat straight from frozen in a hot oven for warm, just-like-new bread.

7) Storing Leftover Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls

Once baked, these rolls keep well in a bread bag or airtight container at room temp for two to three days. Just make sure they’ve fully cooled before storing, or you’ll end up with soggy bottoms.

If you’re not planning to finish them all right away, freeze them. They’ll keep for up to a month in the freezer. When you’re ready, just reheat in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°F.

Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that crispy crust. If you love that bakery snap when you bite in, stick to the oven.

8) Try these Bread recipes next!

9) Crusty Chewy French Bread Rolls