Focaccia Recipe
Craving something warm, golden, and irresistibly aromatic? This Focaccia recipe is pure joy baked into a pan! With its chewy crumb, delightfully crisp edges, and flavor that bursts with a simple blend of olive oil, sea salt, and fresh herbs, this iconic Italian bread is one of those foods that calls everyone to the kitchen. Whether you serve it as the star of your table or a side that quietly steals the show, Focaccia is the kind of bread that brings people together and makes your home smell like a Mediterranean haven.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of pantry staples is all you need to create truly memorable Focaccia. Each ingredient shines in its role, bringing just the right combination of flavor, texture, and color. Here’s what you’ll need, along with insider tips for the best results:
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, giving your Focaccia its soft, chewy structure.
- Granulated sugar: Just a touch helps feed the yeast and brings out subtle flavor nuances.
- Active dry yeast: This is the magic ingredient for that airy rise and tender crumb.
- Salt: Absolutely essential for flavor; it balances and deepens every bite.
- Warm water: Helps the yeast blossom to life, so your dough achieves the perfect lift.
- Olive oil: Don’t skimp—this gives Focaccia its iconic richness, moisture, and golden crust.
- Chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional): Sprinkle on top for a classic, fragrant finish that takes your bread to the next level.
- Flaky sea salt: A final touch that adds sparkle, crunch, and that irresistible salty burst.
How to Make Focaccia
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Mixing these first lets the salt and sugar disperse evenly throughout, so every bite of your Focaccia is full of balanced flavor.
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
In a separate small bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it’s foamy and alive. This quick pause ensures your yeast is powerful enough to make your bread rise beautifully.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Pour your bubbly yeast mixture and the olive oil into your dry ingredients. Stir everything together into a shaggy, sticky dough. This is when your kitchen starts to smell a little bit magical and you’ll know you’re on the way to fantastic Focaccia.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for around 5–7 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. This step develops the gluten, giving your Focaccia that cheery springiness it’s famous for.
Step 5: First Rise
Tuck the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour, until it’s doubled in size and looks impossibly pillowy.
Step 6: Pan & Proof
Generously oil a 9×13-inch baking pan, then gently press your dough into all the corners. Cover again and let it puff up for 20–30 minutes. This second rise creates that signature Focaccia crumb—airy and light!
Step 7: Dimple, Season, and Bake
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). With oiled fingers, press gentle dimples all over the dough’s surface—don’t be shy, those pockets are what make Focaccia so memorable! Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a scattering of flaky salt, and those fresh herbs if you like. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until it’s irresistibly golden brown.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Let your Focaccia cool ever so slightly before slicing. This brief rest lets the crumb settle, so each square is just the right mix of chewy and crisp.
How to Serve Focaccia
Garnishes
A little extra flair never hurts! Scatter more fresh rosemary, thyme, or even thinly sliced olives or cherry tomatoes on top for a beautiful, flavorful finish. A touch of caramelized onion or a hint more olive oil can turn your Focaccia from simple to absolutely unforgettable.
Side Dishes
Focaccia is a friendly bread that pairs well with just about everything. Offer it alongside a rustic soup, serve with antipasto, or set out with a platter of cheese, olives, and cured meats for a crowd-pleasing spread. It’s perfect for soaking up hearty stews or a simple salad dressing.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your Focaccia bread game up a notch by cutting it into strips for easy dipping, or cube it for snacking with spreads. You can even slice it horizontally and use it to make thick, golden panini or grilled sandwiches—hello, ultimate comfort food!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Focaccia (lucky you!), simply tuck the pieces into an airtight container. They’ll stay soft and delicious at room temperature for up to two days—if they last that long!
Freezing
Want to keep your Focaccia on hand for future cravings? Freeze it! Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It’ll keep its lovely texture and flavor for about a month, ready to reheat whenever the mood strikes.
Reheating
Give your Focaccia a second life by reheating it in a warm oven (about 350°F). Just a few minutes restores its fresh-from-the-oven aroma and that irresistible crisp-yet-soft bite. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it softens the crust.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! Swap in the same amount of instant yeast and skip the proofing step; mix it right in with your dry ingredients and proceed as directed for lovely Focaccia.
How do I get those big, beautiful Focaccia air pockets?
The key is handling the dough gently during the final pan stage and ensuring a proper rise. Resist the urge to overwork or flatten the dough after its second rise—the dimpling step should be delicate!
Can I add toppings before baking?
Absolutely. Press in sliced olives, tomatoes, or caramelized onions during the dimpling step for an extra pop of color and flavor, making your homemade Focaccia both gorgeous and tasty.
Does Focaccia have to be vegan?
Classic Focaccia is delightfully plant-based, relying on simple flour, oil, and yeast. If you want to experiment, you can add cheese or cured meats as toppings, but the traditional version is naturally vegan.
What if I don’t have a 9×13-inch pan?
No worries! You can use two smaller pans or even a round cake pan if needed. Just adjust the baking time slightly and keep an eye on the color—it should be golden and crispy on top.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never made Focaccia at home before, I can’t recommend it enough. There’s nothing quite like pulling a gorgeous loaf from your oven, the fragrance filling your kitchen, and breaking off that first soft, salty slice. Trust me—homemade Focaccia is pure joy baked into every golden bite!
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Focaccia Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 squares) 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to make a delicious focaccia bread at home with this easy recipe. This Italian bread is topped with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh herbs for a flavorful twist.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
- flaky sea salt for topping
Dough:
Topping:
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Generously oil a 9×13-inch baking pan. Transfer the risen dough to the pan and press it out to fit the edges.
- Cover and let rise for another 20-30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Use your fingers to gently dimple the surface of the dough, then drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and chopped herbs if using.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Notes
- Top with sliced olives, cherry tomatoes, or caramelized onions for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in a warm oven to refresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
