Hi! I’m Kate, the face behind KateFi.com—a blog all about making life easier and more affordable.

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Discover the Art of Baking Perfectly Crispy French Baguettes

Ever wonder if you can eat gourmet on a broke budget? Same. Here’s my hack: making your own French baguettes at home. Not only is this recipe budget-friendly, but it also only requires a few simple ingredients. Plus, here’s the most exciting part: No oven needed! That’s right, you can prepare delicious, crispy baguettes without the need for an oven. If you’re a busy mom, a broke student, or just someone trying to make the most of your pantry, this one’s for you.

Why You’ll Love It

• No oven needed!
• Family-friendly and picky-eater approved
• Zero fancy kitchen gear needed
• Leftovers are even better the next day
• Easy to meal prep or double for later

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 packet of active dry yeast (approx. 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• Olive oil, for greasing

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
2. Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough begins to form. You might want to use your hands once a shaggy dough has formed for better blending.
3. On a floured surface, knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough in it, and cover with a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
5. Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 3 equal parts. Shape each into a long, narrow loaf resembling a baguette.
6. Wrap each loaf in parchment paper, leaving room at the top for expansion, and place in a large pot with a lid.
7. Cover the pot and cook on the stove over medium heat for 25 minutes. Adjust as necessary until a golden crust forms.
8. Let the baguettes cool on a wire rack before serving.

Real Talk: Keeping It Real

• If you’re like me, navigating parenthood means multitasking cooking and organizing sideline gigs to sustain the budget.
• This recipe serves as a dual-purpose activity: bake, enjoy delicious bread, and explore side hustles while your dough is rising.
• Balance your cooking time wisely—kneading dough can take a backseat while you check your new gigs for the day.