Here, we’ll show you how to toast French bread in the oven.
Toasting French bread really does enhance its flavor and texture. It is just a bit more robust when it is heated through and toasted.
When it comes to how long you should toast French bread it partially comes down to your desire for that crunch. For example, I have a sensitive mouth so I like a light level of crunch on my toasted French bread.
In our recipe below, we recommend that you toast the bread for 6 to 8 minutes total; you don’t need to turn them. I personally prefer mine toasted right at 6 minutes.
If you are toasting French bread for a group of people you may want to vary the baking times so that you can offer up some lightly toasted bread and some crunchy French bread.
Tips for cutting French bread
- Use a serrated bread knife to cut the French bread loaf. When you are cutting the bread use a sawing motion. This is because the serrated knife works more like a saw. A smooth knife, even if it is sharp, will crush the bread as it is cutting it.
- Cut the bread at an angle may make it easier to get consistent slices.
- Use a cutting board with rubber edges or put a towel under a slippy cutting board when you slice the French bread so that you have a bit more stability. French bread has a bad habit of sliding around when you are cutting it.
Our experience
The biggest challenge that I always have with French bread is the cutting of the slices. It can be a challenge to cut the slices to be around the same thickness, so that all the slices toast evenly in the oven. My bad habit is to cut them so thin that the bread just falls apart. I have learned to pay special attention to this when cutting French bread.
Aim for cutting all of them into one-inch-thick slices.
We also tested broiling the bread vs. baking it, and for us, just baking it at 425F instead of under a broiler turned out better toasted French bread every single time.
In the end, I was so proud because we didn’t burn any French bread testing out the various methods and temperatures.
Also, I just love the aroma of bread toasting in the oven, don’t you?
The bottom line
Toasting French bread in the oven is easy to do and the oven is an excellent way to toast a lot of bread at once. During our kitchen testing, we found that the key to success is to cut even slices of bread.
How To Toast French Bread in the Oven
For best results, toast French bread in a hot oven for about 6 minutes.
Ingredients
- Loaf of French bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Cut bread into 1-inch slices using a serrated knife.
- Place the slices in a single layer on a baking pan.
- Place baking pan on the center rack of preheated oven.
- Toast for six to eight minutes until the bread is hot and the tops are lightly golden.
- Use oven mitts to remove pan from oven.
- Serve immediately, top as desired, and enjoy!