Fougasse is the French cousin of Italian focaccia, an oval white bread seasoned with olive oil and salt cut to resemble an ear of wheat. It’s remarkably easy to make too! In collaboration with Pomora.
Table of Contents
Introduction
My favourite sort of evening meal tends to be a mish-mash of cuisines, using up things in my fridge and freezer and serving a spread with a wide variety of flavours and textures. Throw in a little bit of Middle Eastern, some Italian, maybe a bit of Asian and top it off with a little bit of French. A culinary melting pot of flavours.
I make this French fougasse recipe when I want to make something easy (I am actually really quite lazy), but visually impressive when I’m entertaining guests. The batch photographed above is made with Italian Pomora extra virgin olive oil and I’ve finished it off with some Icelandic arctic thyme salt.
Fougasse is a staple bread from the Provence region of France, similar to Italian focaccia. It is a pretty bread to look at, and it tastes rather fantastic too. The kids love tearing off big chunks of it and dipping it, Italian-style, in olive oil with a drizzle of Balsamic vinegar.
Ingredients required
- 500 grams strong bread flour
- 10 grams salt (plus extra, to sprinkle on top)
- 7 grams instant dried yeast (1 sachet)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra, to brush)
- 350 ml lukewarm water
How to make Fougasse dough
- Mix strong bread flour, salt and yeast in a bowl.
- Add the lukewarm water and olive oil.
- Mix with a spoon until combined.
- Turn out onto a floured surface.
- Knead for ten minutes (that’ll give you a good 2k FitBit steps!)
- Cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about one hour.
How to shape and bake fougasse bread
- Punch down fougasse dough and turn out onto a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into two equal pieces (or four, sometimes I make them smaller)
- Roll each half (or quarter) into an oval shape and use a rolling pin to roll it to a thickness of about one inch. Transfer the rolled dough to a piece of baking paper.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully score two cuts down the centre of the bread, and six slashes on either side, as pictured below. Leave to rise a further 20 minutes.
- Brush the fougasse with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and while still hot brush with more olive oil and sprinkle with more salt.
Tips for making fougasse
- I find it’s easier to make four smaller fougasse instead of two larger ones
- Roll your bread out on a piece of baking paper to make transferring it to the oven easier
- use a pizza steel to bake your bread. Preheat it in the oven and your bread will rise beautifully, crisp on the bottom.
- this bread freezes well, simply defrost and warm up in a hot oven for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Video: How to make Fougasse – the French cousin of Italian Focaccia
Fougasse bread is the French cousin of Italian focaccia, an oval white bread seasoned with olive oil and salt cut to resemble an ear of wheat.
Fougasse flavour variations
- sprinkle with flavoured salt – I like Saltverk’s Arctic Thyme sea salt
- red onion, gruyere & rosemary – sprinkle the dough at step 5 after shaping with sauteed red onion, gruyere cheese and chopped rosemary
- mixed herbs – simply sprinkle with your favourite chopped, dried, herbs after brushing with the olive oil. Try rosemary & thyme fougasse, or herbes de Provence
- red onion, cherry tomato & rosemary
- three cheese – sprinkle a mixture of grated Gruyere, Comte and Cantal cheese over the top of the fougasse after brushing with the olive oil
- olive fougasse – knead in a handful of chopped, pitted olives before proving the dough
Pomora Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pomora are a small UK business who works closely with two olive oil producers in Italy – Carmello in Sicily and Antonio in Campania. As their growing regions are vastly different, so is the flavour of their oils.
The way that they work is that you adopt an olive tree from one of their two farms, and in return, you will receive olive oil and updates about how your tree is doing.
Each quarter I receive a shipment of 3 x 250ml tins of olive oil from Antonion’s family farm. The first shipment of the year is a gorgeous olio nuovo, perfect for making a Caribbean Papaya Salad, while the second shipment is a trio of flavoured extra virgin olive oils in rosemary, lemon and chilli. Their chilli oil is my favourite. I love it drizzled on pasta with a rich tomato sauce (and plenty of cheese!). Then, in the late summer, a shipment of extra virgin olive oil arrives. This one is perfect for making fougasse. In the Winter, another trio of flavoured oils arrives in basil, garlic and white truffle flavours.
Pomora are an incredibly delicious, ethical and environmentally sustainable brand of olive oil, and I have been working with them for years. Prices for their quarterly subscription start from 29 pounds per quarter, and I am delighted to say their oil is now available in the USA for as little as 49 U.S. dollars per quarter!
Visit the Pomora website to find out more!
Easy Fougasse Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 grams strong white bread flour
- 10 grams sea salt plus extra
- 7 grams fast-action dried yeast
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus extra, to brush
- 350 ml lukewarm water
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Equipment
Instructions
- Place flour, salt and yeast in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add the water and olive oil, and mix with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.
- Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for one hour.
- Knock back the dough, knead briefly and divide into two pieces.
- Roll each piece into an oval shape about an inch thick.
- Using a sharp knife, cut two slits down the centre of the bread, leaving about three inches between each cut.
- Cut six holes on either side of the centre cuts, and arrange into an ear of wheat shape.
- Cover and leave to rise a further 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven (and your pizza steel, if using) to 220 C/ 200 C fan/ Gas 7.
- Brush each loaf with olive oil and sprinkle liberally with salt.
- Bake in the centre of the oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and brush on more olive oil and salt while still warm.
Video
Notes
- sprinkle with flavoured salt - I like Saltverk's Arctic Thyme sea salt
- red onion, gruyere & rosemary - sprinkle the dough at step 5 after shaping with sauteed red onion, gruyere cheese and chopped rosemary
- mixed herbs - simply sprinkle with your favourite chopped, dried, herbs after brushing with the olive oil. Try rosemary & thyme fougasse, or herbes de Provence
- red onion, cherry tomato & rosemary
- three cheese - sprinkle a mixture of grated Gruyere, Comte and Cantal cheese over the top of the fougasse after brushing with the olive oil
- olive fougasse - knead in a handful of chopped, pitted olives before proving the dough
Nutrition
Environmental Information
Other recipes using Pomora Olive Oil
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This easy tagliatelle recipe with cherry tomatoes, artichokes, feta and rocket takes only ten minutes to make, making for a perfect Friday night dinner for one.
Lazy One Pan Garlic and Rosemary Chicken Tray Bake
This lazy chicken tray bake takes five minutes to prep and uses just five ingredients! It’s a complete meal in one sheet pan, and there’s only one pan to wash up afterwards!
Easy Caribbean Papaya Salad Recipe
This super easy Caribbean papaya salad recipe comes from the island of St Maarten, and it tastes fantastic with BBQ chicken, shrimp or other grilled meats/seafood.
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Pomora. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home.
Catharine says
This bread tastes amazing! We have made it with both sea salt as the topping, and with herbes de Provence. Almost as soon as I take them out of the oven, the family polishes them off. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Elizabeth Atia says
Oh wow! I’m so glad you and your family like this recipe! Happy baking! 🙂
Georgie Wright says
This Fougasse recipe is fabulous, it looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it!
Lorna-Jane Holland says
Ooh it looks delicious – really simple but a great accompaniment to classic Italian dishes I think x
Iris says
It looks amazing and easy to follow I love baking bread so this is one I will try
ellie spider says
this type of baking always seems so complicated but your recipe looks like even someone like me can make it 🙂
Jackie L says
Not had chance to try this yet, but well presented recipe – love the great photos illustrating the steps. Looking forward to following them.
Emma Bradshaw says
I’ve not had a chance to try this yet but it looks like a great recipe which I will be attempting very soon!
Angela Sharp says
Absolutely mouthwatering, I would love to try this recipe with my family
Mark Johnson says
Looks like a good recipe that is easy to follow with good results that I would like to try one day
Jayne Townson says
Great recipe, I’ll be trying this one out as I think my family would really enjoy it, thanks for sharing.
Emily G says
Yet to try this recipe, but it looks delicious! I’m not a good cook but this seems simple enough for me to handle.
Ann Sandover says
Fantastic recipe, easy to follow and tasted divine
Emma Davison says
Sounds lovely. 4 out of 5. I am tempted to try it but not sure it would turn out so well for me – I am not very good at making bread.
Emma Davison says
Sounds lovely. 4 out of 5
Simone Griffin says
This recipe looks amazing – I’d love to try making it for myself and I bet it tastes yummy too x
Rachel B says
Sounds absolutely delicious. Will definitely have to give it a try.
Jade Ring says
This looks so delicious and so versatile – easy to make too! I’ve added this to my list of things to bake with the kids.
Ian Campbell says
Utterly delish! I utterly ADORE Foccacia, so would love to put the French version through its paces! 🙂
Sue Carter says
I love focaccia and similar breads but have never thought to try making my own. This looks lovely
Faridah Brooker says
Looks delicious. I’ve never made bread before so its tempting to have ago.
Sheila Reeves says
I love the simplicity of this recipe, but that it looks extra special, would make a great impression at a barbecue
Rebecca Ruff says
I’ve never made bread before and you’ve got me really inspired. this looks really delish! 5 stars
alisa moore says
I think it’s great to discover this recipe which makes a change from focaccia.
Jeanette Leighton says
Looks healthy and tasty I’m sure the whole family would enjoy
Laura pugh says
This looks really delicious and easy enough to do – I am trying to get the kids in to baking and we might try this next !
Paul says
Looks good and easy to make, will be trying this once have ingredients
Emily says
Looks delicious! I had no idea there was a French cousin to focaccia but can’t wait to try
Emma England says
I think the recipe is a tiny bit out of my comfort zone but the instructions are so clear and simple that I do feel comfortable taking it on. Looks really tasty too.
Kay Broomfield says
Just found this recipe as I was searching for artisan breads now I’ve got my new KitchenAid mixer. Bread is definitely something I want to make lots of so bookmarked to make and now entering your competition!
Nicola Sadler says
Easy to follow and tasty recipe! Looks great too!
J Hann says
I’d love to try this recipe although I am not very good at the nice presentation aspect.
Kirsty Taylor says
This looks delicious! I’ve tried it before – it’s so simple and quick and tastes beautiful with homemade spagbol
Lucy D says
Well worth the effort – kids love them!
Richard Eldred Hawes says
I love to make small individual Fougasse when I have a dinner party as they look so attractive
Michael Emmett says
This looks really tasty!
Cat says
Brilliant tries it today. A real easy recipe the family loved it
Jade Jones says
In loved how easy this recipe was to follow so much so that ive even copied pasted and printed it to keep in my kitchen drawer for anytime i want to make this bread … 5 stars fantastic
Rebecca Roberts says
How yum dose this all sound and look mm how amazing
Chirag Patel says
I’m up for the challenge recipe sounds intriguing and fingers crossed will have bread with the family giving me fantastic comments
astrid c says
recipe looks lush, may try it myself xx
Kimberley Ashe says
really well written recipe and beautiful pics!!
Emily Hutchinson says
This looks absolutely gorgeous!
betsy ferguson says
this is a recipe that i would like to make for my family, who are very discerning in their food, but i know this would be a favourite with them – five stars xx
Elizabeth Marriott says
I wonder if it would be nice with chopped olives in the bread too
Keshia Esgate says
It looks delicious, I would give it a go, and I am not an brilliant cook!
Mike says
Will give this a try. I think I will try it with fresh rosemary, it is great with focaccia, so I assume it will work well with this.
Allan Mcrae says
5 star rating for me as the instructions are very clear even for me i might even try it
Carole Nott says
This looks like a great recipe – Fougasse is new to me but looks very tasty and would be perfect with a summer salad
Emma Morgan says
Fabulous! Now that I know how easily that a Fougasse can be cooked I’ll certainly give it a try. I must say it does look tasty.
Lucy Dorrington says
I am a huge fan of artisan bread, so this is a recipe I would love to try!
Alan Meatyard says
Great recipe, made it with the kids – they enjoyed the fun and the result was tasty
Amy Bondoc says
i love making new breadas and this is a recipe id love to try to make it sounds really delicious
Margaret Clarkson says
I often make focaccia but I’ve never made this, it sounds delicious and I will definitely try it. Thank you!
Brigitte Gorez says
Looks positively yummy!
Caroline Tinsley says
I’m always a bit put off when I see yeast in a bread recipe as I expect it to be complicated, but this sounds very doable!
julia linsley says
This is a brilliant recipe easy & straight forward very authentic I made it easily and it is delicious !
Emma H says
This bread looks delicious! The only issue I have is that I have to follow a gluten free diet, so I will try it out with GF flour instead to see how it turns out!
Sally Collingwood says
I absolutely love this recipe, I really must try it, It looks quite straightforward, I think even I could do it!
Lucy says
It looks like a really good and easy to follow recipe – definitely one I’ll try when I next have people over!
Jo F says
This looks fantastic. I love making bread but am not very adventurous and just stick to pizza dough but am very tempted to give this a go
Maxine G says
You make it look so easy! I’ve tried to make Fougasse before but it ended up looking more like a wonky Christmas tree!
Margaret Gallagher says
A taste like no other – pomorda oil makes the recipe outstanding – will thoroughly enjoy making this beauty vtoo
Rich Tyler says
It looks both amazing and yummy, the photos really do it justice, would love to taste it
Philip says
I’ve not had much look kneading bread by hand. I’ve found I get better results using my food processor.
F Chowdhury says
I do love a well made focaccia, so this looks like a really interesting option to try
Dale Dow says
I’ve always been daunted by bread based products but this recipe looks very easy and delicious
Jodie Green says
sorry forgot the star rating!!
Jodie Green says
Oh these look amazing, I think i will grab the ingredients and give them a go too! Sure my children would enjoy them!
Caroline U says
It sounds absolutely amazing! Ill definitely be giving the recipe a try, I think the rest of the family would love to try it as well!
Leanne weir says
I like the sound of it. It looks simple and something I can make with my boys
Laura Banks says
sounds really yummy and something my son would actually eat as he can be really picky
rebecca h says
Love this recipe! I am definitely going to try it. How long does the bread last in an air tight tin?
Elizabeth says
Just two days, I’ve found. It’s best eaten the day it’s made, but if you’re going to have extra, pop them in the freezer. Defrost when you want it, and reheat in the oven for 5 minutes and it’s just like it’s been freshly baked!
Eva Vida says
I love the recipe.It reminds me the time when I used to live in Greece.I used olive oil all the time.Thank you for the chance 🙂 and for the yummy recipe
Solange says
I think this recipe sounds delicious and very easy to make.
John Jones says
It seems pretty easy and I love making bread!
abster says
This looks delicious and not difficult to make – can’t wait to try!
darren hay says
This recipe sounds delicious! I’ll definitely be making this!
Stacey Carnell says
This would be delicious with a baked Camembert and a lovely glass of red wine
Nicole Woods says
This looks amazing! I’ve recently purchased a bread maker but there are just some recipes you have to do by hand, and this looks like a fantastic place to start.
Man Tat Chung says
Amazing, looks delicious
Helen Tovell says
The recipe sounds easy but looks like it would taste delicious and one I would try
chloe brill says
looks really easy to make and tasty
Andrew Petrie says
Like any recipe there are a thousand variations but I am familiar with this one as my ex is French . The three cheeses is a beauty !
James Healy says
Yes Please!
Fozia Akhtar says
I need to try this recipe- it looks great
ali thorpe says
It looks delicious and I’d like to try it.
Jan Wroblewski says
Easy instruction adn salt to individual taste – Nice,
Ritchie Dee says
This looks delicious and the recipe is easy to follow. I’ve made foccaccia before but I’m going to give fougasse a try/
chris lane says
Looks like a great recipe, I can’t wait to try it. I love experimenting with new flavors and ingredients
louise mont says
This is an amazing recipe, simple to make and tastes great. I would highly recommend this!
Louise A says
I’ve never made focaccia but your recipe inspires me to have a go at making some
Bev B says
This sounds straightforward and delicious. Really like the suggested variations too, even just adding chopped olives would be great.
Heather Haigh says
It looks wonderful, I can almost taste it. Unfortunately I am gluten intolerant and I just don’t see this one working with a gluten-free flour but I do wish I could eat some.
Pauline Hill says
looks DELICIOUS and I will be making this for my family LOVE IT
Lorna Meese says
This bread looks fantastic,& the recipe is clear without too many steps to follow. Im not a great cook,but may give this a go.
Sarah Taylor says
I didn’t realise that a Fougasse was so easy to make and it looks really impressive, I’d definitely use this recipe again.
Claire Shaw says
This recipe sounds easy and delicious! I will definitely be making this!
Sheila Shepheard says
The bread looks delicious. I’m not sure I have the skills to make it though. Maybe I’ll pluck up courage & try.
Joanna B says
Delicious and straightforward. Would enjoy this with a nice simple pasta dish. There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread.
Peter Watson says
This recipe is fantastic and so simple even I can make it but the Pomora Olive Oil is the magic ingredient as I have already tried it and it is the best.
Stuart Hargreaves says
Very straight recipe to follow, even I could make it. Healthy and delicious I would give 10/10
Kelly M says
It looks like a good reciepe, simple, and not too many ingrediants. I look forward to trying out this weekend when the family come over for dinner. Wish me luck.
Kathleen marsden says
I like the fact that it’s a no nonsense recipe. Just good bread with olive oil
Lorraine Williams says
Great recipe, clear instructions with easy to follow steps. Wonderful design which looks fabulous on the table.
Suzanne says
Brilliantly inspirational recipe.