Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen. Focaccia, an Italian flatbread, is not only delicious but also simple to make at home. With its soft, fluffy texture and a hint of rosemary and sea salt, this bread is perfect for pairing with soups, salads, or simply enjoying on its own with a drizzle of olive oil. It’s one of those recipes that feels special but is incredibly easy to make, even for beginners. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this focaccia bread recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.

The beauty of focaccia lies in its simplicity. The dough requires just a few basic ingredients—flour, yeast, water, olive oil, and salt—making it an easy and approachable recipe for anyone to try. The result is a golden-brown, aromatic bread with a perfectly crisp crust and soft, pillowy interior. In just under three hours, you can enjoy a batch of homemade focaccia that will impress your family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Simple Ingredients

With just a few pantry staples, this focaccia recipe is easy to whip up. You don’t need fancy ingredients, just flour, yeast, olive oil, and rosemary.

2. Fluffy Texture

The dough produces a light and airy loaf with a soft interior and crispy crust, making it a perfect bread for sandwiches or as an accompaniment to any meal.

3. Customizable Toppings

While the recipe calls for rosemary and sea salt, you can customize your focaccia with your favorite toppings, such as olives, garlic, or sun-dried tomatoes.

4. Quick to Prepare

In just under three hours, you can have a warm, freshly baked focaccia ready to serve. It’s great for last-minute gatherings or a simple dinner addition.

5. Perfect for Sharing

This recipe makes 8 servings, making it the ideal bread for sharing at a family dinner or casual get-together.

this RECIPE

Ingredients

• Bread flour or all-purpose flour
• Active dry yeast or instant yeast
• Salt
• Warm water
• Extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
• Fresh rosemary leaves
• Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

Variations

• Herb Variations: In addition to rosemary, you can use thyme, oregano, or basil for different flavor profiles.
• Garlic Focaccia: Add minced garlic to the dough or sprinkle chopped garlic on top before baking for an extra punch of flavor.
• Cheese Focaccia: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top of the focaccia before baking for a cheesy twist.
• Olive Focaccia: Add whole or sliced olives to the dough for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Mixing and Kneading the Dough

In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast. Add 1 ¾ cups of warm water and ¼ cup of olive oil. Mix the ingredients together until a shaggy dough forms. Then, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, you can use it for this step.

Step 2: First Rise

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm spot to rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is the first rise, which helps develop the dough’s texture and flavor.

Step 3: Shaping and Dimpling the Focaccia

Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a greased baking sheet. Gently stretch the dough to fit the pan. Use your fingertips to press down on the dough, creating the signature dimples all over the surface of the bread.

Step 4: Second Rise

Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes. This second rise will give the focaccia its fluffy texture.

Step 5: Topping and Baking

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle the focaccia generously with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt and fresh rosemary leaves. Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy on the edges.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Warm Water Temperature: Ensure the water is warm, but not too hot, as it can kill the yeast. Aim for a temperature around 110°F (43°C).
• Let It Rise in a Warm Spot: If your kitchen is cool, place the dough in a slightly warm oven (turn it on for a few seconds and then turn it off) or near a warm window to help the dough rise faster.
• Use Extra Olive Oil: Drizzle extra olive oil over the focaccia before baking to get that crisp, golden crust.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you have a smaller pan, divide the dough into two portions to avoid overcrowding. This will ensure the focaccia bakes evenly and achieves the desired texture.

How to Serve

Focaccia is best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven. It’s perfect as a side to pasta dishes, soups, or salads. You can also use it to make sandwiches or serve it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. It’s versatile enough to accompany any meal, or you can snack on it by itself!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. It’s best served fresh, but you can reheat it in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to revive its crisp texture.

Freezing

You can freeze focaccia after it cools completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Reheating

To reheat focaccia, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes until it’s warm and crispy again.

FAQs

1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, all-purpose flour can be used as a substitute for bread flour, although bread flour gives focaccia a slightly chewier texture.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

3. Can I use fresh yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can use fresh yeast instead of active dry yeast. Use about 1 ounce (28 grams) of fresh yeast for this recipe.

4. How can I make focaccia more flavorful?

Add extra toppings like garlic, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the flavor. You can also incorporate herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil into the dough.

5. Can I make focaccia without olive oil?

Olive oil is essential for the texture and flavor of focaccia, so it’s not recommended to leave it out. However, you can use another type of oil if needed, but it may alter the taste.

6. How can I make focaccia gluten-free?

You can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour, but be sure to add xanthan gum to help the dough rise and maintain structure.

7. Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double the ingredients to make more focaccia. Just use a larger pan and adjust the baking time slightly if needed.

8. What should I do if the dough isn’t rising?

If the dough isn’t rising, ensure the yeast is fresh and that the water temperature is warm enough (but not too hot). Also, check that the dough is in a warm place.

9. Can I use a stand mixer for kneading?

Yes, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough. This will save time and effort.

10. Can I add cheese to the focaccia?

Yes! Adding cheese such as Parmesan or mozzarella to the dough or on top before baking can give it a delicious twist.

Conclusion

This Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread recipe is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, homemade bread. With minimal ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a delicious focaccia that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you enjoy it as a side, make it into a sandwich, or dip it in olive oil, this bread will become a staple in your kitchen. Try it out today, and you’ll be hooked on the homemade goodness!

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