High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Classic French Baguettes

Few things beat the crackle of a freshly baked baguette, and this classic French version delivers that bakery-quality crust and open, chewy crumb entirely from scratch. The ingredient list is beautifully stripped down — just yeast, water, bread flour, and fine sea salt — which means there's no room for sneaky sweeteners or processed additives to creep in. That simplicity is exactly what makes this recipe such a reliable choice when you're avoiding high-fructose corn syrup, since so many store-bought breads rely on it for shelf life and browning. The overnight poolish is the real secret here, building deep, complex flavor through fermentation rather than shortcuts. A series of stretch-and-folds develops the gluten structure that gives baguettes their signature chew, and a blast of steam in a screaming-hot oven creates that impossibly thin, shattering crust. Scoring the loaves at a confident angle lets them bloom dramatically in the oven, so they look as impressive as anything you'd pull from a Parisian boulangerie. Once you hear that hollow tap on the bottom and smell the toasty, golden crust, you'll never want to reach for a plastic-wrapped loaf again.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →