Fougasse Olive Bread

Transport your taste buds to the enchanting South of France with this artisan-style Fougasse Olive Bread recipe! Featuring a soft, chewy interior and a beautifully golden crust, this decorative leaf-shaped bread is infused with the robust flavors of black or green olives and the subtle aroma of fresh rosemary. Its intricate cuts and hand-crafted design make it as visually stunning as it is delicious. Perfectly dusted with semolina flour for a rustic touch, this fougasse pairs wonderfully with a variety of dips, cheeses, or soups, making it ideal for appetizers, sharing platters, or casual snacking. With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is surprisingly easy to master and offers a rewarding blend of Mediterranean charm and homemade goodness. Bake your way to perfection and savor the irresistible taste of freshly baked olive bread!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 400 g All-purpose flour
• 7 g Salt
• 7 g Instant yeast
• 275 ml Water
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 80 g Black or green olives, pitted and sliced
• 1 tbsp Fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 tbsp Semolina flour (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Stir to combine.

Step 2

Add the instant yeast to one side of the bowl and the salt to the other (keep them separate initially to avoid killing the yeast).

Step 3

Pour the water and olive oil into the bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 4

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until soft, smooth, and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 5

Flatten the dough slightly and sprinkle the sliced olives and rosemary evenly over it. Fold the dough over the filling and knead gently until the olives are evenly incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as the olives can break apart.

Step 6

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 7

Once risen, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a rough oval or rectangle, about 2 cm thick.

Step 8

Transfer the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and dusted with semolina flour.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife or a dough scraper, make several deep cuts in the dough to resemble a leaf or a tree, then gently pull apart the cuts to exaggerate the shape. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise again for 30 minutes.

Step 10

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) during the second rise.

Step 11

Bake the fougasse in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.

Step 12

Allow the bread to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	810.5 grams (810.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1893

Total Fat 45.70g	59%
Saturated Fat 6.60g	33%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3385mg	147%
Total Carbohydrate 319.70g	116%
Dietary Fiber 16.10g	58%
Total Sugars 0.90g
Protein 46.40g	93%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 134mg	10%
Iron 21mg	116%
Potassium 586mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.9%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 68.2%