Traditional Herb Bread

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic, herb-infused bread with a chewy texture, crafted using time-honored baking techniques. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 75 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 100 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 45 min Cook: 30 min Serves 10 French cuisine 100 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: Add flour, salt, thyme, rosemary, and olive oil. Knead for 8-10 minutes until dough is elastic and smooth.
  3. Step 3: Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  4. Step 4: Shape into a loaf, place in a greased loaf pan, and let rise 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Herb Bread take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (45 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Traditional Herb Bread?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Herb Bread?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Traditional Herb Bread for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Traditional Herb Bread?

French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes