Description
Olive Oil & Rosemary Fougasse is a French flatbread known for its rustic appearance and savory flavor. Unlike traditional bread, fougasse has a more open crumb and a beautiful, leaf-like shape. It’s made with a combination of bread flour and whole wheat flour, giving it a hearty texture, while the rosemary adds a fragrant herbal note. The dough is enriched with olive oil, which makes the bread slightly tender and deliciously golden when baked.
Ingredients
- 1⅓ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil (plus more for brushing)
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tsp flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
1. Activate Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, and olive oil.
- Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, mix bread flour, whole wheat flour, salt, and 1 tbsp rosemary.
- Stir in the yeast mixture until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 2 hours until doubled.
4. Shape the Fougasse
- Divide dough in half. Roll each into a 12×8 inch oval.
- Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Using a pizza cutter, make one long slit down the center and 3–4 diagonal slits on each side. Gently pull open the cuts to create a leaf shape.
5. Second Rise
- Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes.
6. Bake
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Brush dough with olive oil, sprinkle with flaky salt and remaining rosemary.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Notes
This rustic French bread, flavored with rosemary and rich olive oil, is perfect as an appetizer, snack, or accompaniment to soups and salads. Serve it warm with extra olive oil for dipping, or use it to make gourmet sandwiches. Its crisp edges and soft interior make it irresistible fresh from the oven.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising time ~1 hr)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread / Savory
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: Low
Keywords: Rosemary Fougasse, Fougasse recipe, Olive oil bread, Rustic French bread, Herb-infused flatbread