Focaccia bread is a classic Italian flatbread that is beloved for its light and fluffy texture, crisp exterior, and deliciously savory flavor. It is a versatile bread that can be enjoyed on its own, used as a base for sandwiches, or served alongside various dishes.
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Focaccia is a flat Italian bread, the dough is similar to pizza dough and is also called (Pizza Bianca ) which means white pizza, but it has a generous amount of olive oil.
The process of making focaccia bread may seem tricky, but my recipe will teach you exactly how to do it right.
With some practice and patience, you can create your own homemade focaccia bread that will rival any bakery. If you want to try other bread flavors, try my Japanese Milk Bread Recipe.
❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Easy to make: This focaccia bread recipe requires minimal effort and basic ingredients, making it accessible for even novice bakers.
Versatile: It allows for endless customization options, from adding herbs and spices to experimenting with various toppings.
Delicious flavor: The combination of olive oil, salt, and herbs creates a rich and savory flavor profile that is hard to resist. The bread’s soft texture further enhances the taste, making it a true delight for the palate.
Crowd-pleaser: This focaccia bread recipe is loved by both young and old, making it a perfect choice for gatherings and parties.
Impressive presentation: This focaccia bread recipe's golden crust and dimpled surface make it a visually stunning addition to any table.
📝 INGREDIENTS
All you need are simple ingredients from your pantry to make this delicious focaccia bread. Let's look at them in more detail:
All-purpose flour: Do not use self-rising flour or bread flour.
Salt: We will use salt in this recipe to enhance the flavor of the dough.
Active dry yeast: We will need active dry yeast for this recipe, which will be responsible for the rising of the dough.
Sugar: We will also need some sugar to make this recipe, which will provide food for the yeast to activate and help with the browning of the crust.
Olive oil: Use olive oil in the dough to add moisture and richness to the dough. We will also use olive oil as a topping for this recipe. It will add a glossy and golden finish to the bread.
Flake sea salt: We will also need some flake sea salt as a topping for this recipe, which will add a burst of flavor and a crunchy texture to the bread.
Rosemary fresh or dry: Make sure to use fresh or dry rosemary as a topping for this recipe. It will help infuse the bread with a fragrant and earthy flavor.
🔪 HOW TO MAKE IT
Making focaccia bread at home is incredibly easy. Let's look at home to make it step by step:
Step 1
Add the water, sugar, yeast, and oil in a bowl, then add the flour and knead for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Add salt to the dough and continue kneading until the dough is smooth.
Step 3
Sprinkle around a tablespoon of olive oil over the dough and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place.
Step 4
Remove some of the air from the dough by pressing it down.
Step 5
Transfer the dough to a 7-inch round pan or skillet. Spread the dough evenly in the pan using your fingers, then cover it with a plastic wrap to proof.
Step 6
Spread a little olive oil over the dough. Sprinkle sea salt and rosemary or just rosemary. Using your fingertips, make a few dimples on the surface of the dough.
Step 7
Bake the focaccia bread for 12 to 13 minutes on the middle rack, until it is golden in color and has reached your desired crispness.
👩🏽🍳 PRO TIPS
Use high-quality olive oil: Since olive oil is a key ingredient in focaccia bread, it is important to use a high-quality one to enhance the flavor of the bread. Avoid using olive oil mixed with other oils like canola oil.
Let the dough rise in a warm place: Focaccia bread requires a double rise, so it is important to let the dough rise in a warm place.
Use a well-oiled pan: To avoid the focaccia bread sticking to the pan and get a beautiful golden crust from the bottom, it is important to generously oil the pan before placing the dough.
Sprinkle with coarse salt before baking: Just before baking, make sure to sprinkle the dough with coarse salt. This will add a burst of flavor and enhance the overall taste of the bread.
🍽️ HOW TO SERVE IT
- Serve the focaccia bread as an appetizer, sliced into small squares and accompanied by a selection of dips such as olive tapenade, roasted red pepper dip, and balsamic vinegar.
- Use the focaccia bread as a base for sandwiches or sliders. Slice the bread horizontally and fill it with your favorite deli meats, cheeses, and condiments for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Serve the focaccia bread alongside a bowl of soup or stew. The soft and flavorful bread is perfect for dipping into broth or sopping up the last bit of sauce.
- Create a gourmet bruschetta by toasting slices of the focaccia bread and topping them with fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- For a unique twist, use the focaccia bread as a pizza crust. Top it with your favorite pizza toppings and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Cut into slices and serve as a delicious and hearty meal.
📋 VARIATIONS
This focaccia bread recipe is absolutely delicious, but if you're looking to customize it, here are some ideas you can try:
Sundried Tomato and Olive Focaccia: Mix chopped sundried tomatoes and sliced black olives into the dough before baking. This helps to give a tangy sweetness from tomatoes and a briny richness from the olives.
Garlic and Parmesan Focaccia: Mix minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese into the dough before baking. This adds a bold and savory taste, with the garlic providing a pungent kick and the Parmesan adding a nutty and salty flavor.
Caramelized Onion and Gruyère Focaccia: Caramelize thinly sliced onions in a pan and sprinkle grated Gruyère cheese on top of the dough before baking.
Herbed Focaccia: Mix a combination of dried herbs, such as oregano, thyme, and basil, into the dough before baking. This adds a fragrant and aromatic flavor profile, as the herbs infuse the bread with freshness and complexity.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast. Just make sure to use the same amount called for in the recipe and follow the instructions accordingly.
Yes, you can substitute all or part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Keep in mind that using whole wheat flour may result in a denser texture and slightly different flavor.
🌡️ STORING
To store leftovers of this focaccia bread, you can wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To freeze the bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat the frozen bread, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
Once thawed, you can reheat it in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F) for a few minutes until it is warmed through.
📣 MORE RICE RECIPES
🎥 VIDEO
📖 Recipe
Homemade Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup warm water you may need less
THE TOPPING
- Flake sea salt
- 1 tablespoon rosemary fresh or dry
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the water, sugar, yeast, oil, and flour. Knead the mixture for 5 minutes then add the salt and continue kneading until the dough is smooth.
- Sprinkle the dough with a little olive oil and cover with a plastic wrap. Keep in a wamr place for the dough to proof and rise. It will take an hour to an hour and half.
- Pat the dough down to remove air. Transfer the dough to a greased 7 inch round pan or a skillet.
- Spread the dough to evenly fill the skillet. Cover with a plastic wrap to proof again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 374F/190C.
- Drizzle the dough with a little olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary and flakes of sea salt. Using your fingertips make a few dimples on the surface of the dough.
- Bake the focaccia bread for 12 to 13 minutes on the middle rack, until it is golden in color and has reached your desired crispness.
- Place the baked focaccia bread over a cooling rack to cool.
Notes
- You can use olive oil infused with garlic to give this focaccia bread recipe more flavor.
- A great snack can be made using focaccia by toasting it and spreading roasted garlic and parmesan on top.
- You can prepare the dough a night ahead. Place the dough in a large container and cover tightly, then refrigerate. The dough will rise slowly while in the fridge. When about to bake the dough, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature first. Knead the dough for a minute, and it will be ready for the next rise.
Alyssa
This looks like perfect focaccia. This is by far one of my favorite breads!
Munatycooking
It's my favorite, glad you liked the pics!
Sandra M.
You did such a great job Muna! I love focaccia and yours look incredible!
My mouth is watering just by looking at it!!!
Tina (PinayInTexas)
Gorgeous focaccia, Muna! This is one thing I've wanted to try making for a long time, but I still haven't got the chance. Thanks for the reminder of how delicious it is! Your photos are stunning!
Munatycooking
Thanks guys, I appreciate your kind words!
Magic of Spice
This has always been a favorite bread...looks fantastic!
Reem | Simply Reem
Looks Fabulous...
Focaccia has always been my favorite....
You did a great job.
Munatycooking
Thanks, I'm still working on my photography skill 🙂 believe me this bread looks even better than the picture.
Shu Han
looks brilliant munaty! very nice series on bread (:
Munatycooking
Thanks Shu, I want to add more bread recipes, I love baking so much 🙂
Rosa's Yummy Yums
Beautiful! This focaccia is perfect.
Cheers,
Rosa
Lori Brown
No luck with this recipe! One cup of flour is not enuf. I just kept adding til I got the right consistency. Also baking temp was too low. My bread never did brown. It’s not a keeper for me!
munatycooking
Hi Lori, This recipe is for a small size Focaccia bread, hence I have mentioned that it can be baked in a 6-inch pan. You can simply double the ingredients for a bigger Focaccia bread! Usually, the bread doesn't brown because the heat in the oven is not evenly distributed, you can turn off the oven and turn on the broiler 3 minutes before the baking time is up to help the bread brown evenly. Hope this helped.
Aaron
I’m just curious why the video shows the steps almost completely backwards off what the written recipe says to do?
munatycooking
Hi Aaron! The result will be the same but I had some readers complaining about the dough not rising and I know that the salt is the culprit, so in the video, I added the salt later while kneading, but if you following the written recipe and the video will result in a delicious Focaccia bread 🙂
Georgette
Easy and delicious recipe. Does not make enough for my family so will double the recipe next time.
Erma
Yes, I followed the written directions. I did not watch the video until I was done. Different directions in the video.
Saima
Does it matter which oil I use? I never ever have olive oil on hand! Thanks so much ❤️
Muna
Olive oil brings out a flavorful Focaccia bread, but yes, you can use any cooking oil to make this bread.
Rakeeba Latief
Love all your recipes, my 13 year old daughter always follow your recipes.
munatycooking
Wow! Thanks for making my day, I'm happy that your family enjoyed my recipes 🙂
Beth
Just made this recipe for the third time and it turned out great. I have shared as a tear off with dipping oil twice. Going to use with soup today. Nice job !
munatycooking
Hi Beth, thanks for trying the recipe. I'm glad that you have enjoyed it 🙂
Azubike Eze
The Focaccia bread looks good to taste. You really described the recipe in a straightforward manner.
Aleeza Denise
This looks simple and easy to do. I haven’t tried baking bread before but this recipe I’d definitely consider making plus all the ingredients are available in the kitchen except for the active dry yeast and rosemary. Can I use fresh oregano leaves as substitute for the rosemary?
munatycooking
Hi Aleeza! You can use oregano and the bread will still taste good. Let me know how you like it 🙂
Clarice
Wow! This is timely. I have always wanted to make my focaccia bread and here I stumbled upon your post. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Can't wait to try making one. Wish me luck. 🙂
munatycooking
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did, and if you have any suggestions, I would like to hear it 🙂
Viano
It looks so fresh and yummy. I like how it turned out. It's definitely worth the try.
munatycooking
Focaccia is amazing, at times I use the dough when making pizza. I hope you give it a try!
Khushboo
It looks so nice to eat. I have never tried this bread but now I might fr your recipe of this bread soon.
munatycooking
Hi Khushboo, you should give it a try! This recipe is for a small size bread, so you can practice making it 🙂
Kemi
Totally addicted to focaccia bread and always order copious amounts at any Italian restaurant. The herbs and oil just add to its deliciousness.
munatycooking
Same here Kemi, I love focaccia and try to make different versions of it!
di hickman
Oh my goodness this looks delicious. I'm going to have to save this to try for my husband, he loves bread!
munatycooking
I'm sure he will enjoy this bread!
Monidipa
I have never made a bread at home but my neices love baking breads. And focaccia bread is one of my favourites. I will share this recipe with them.
munatycooking
Thanks Monidipa 🙂
Cheeia
Ouuu thanks for sharing. I will have to try this.
Roobye
Made this tonight. Loved the ease of the ingredients. For my first time making bread it came out pretty good, not as brown as I would have hoped. But will be trying it again. Thank you so much'
munatycooking
You are welcome Roobye, glad you liked baking this focaccia bread!
Christopher Bossano
Tried focaccia when I was in Pisa. Never cooked at home. Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely try!
Lexi
The ingredients are easy to follow, but I have realize that one cup of flour was not enough. It was so sticky that it did not come into a smooth texture. I actually had to double the flour. But after the kneading with the flour increased, and adding the oil it seem to be the right consistency. I hope that it rises! I will keep you updated on how it turned out.
munatycooking
Hi Lexi, when kneading it's best to add the liquids gradually while kneading since every brand of flour requires more or less liquid. This besides kneading the dough for a longer time (7 to 10 minutes) will turn it into a smooth dough. Adding more flour and oil will result in a dense bread. I hope this helped!
Nana
Made this with dinner tonight and it was wonderful! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect! I did not have rosemary, so I sprinkled an Italian Herb mixture on top. Perfect! Thank you!
munatycooking
Thank you for trying the recipe and for your feedback Nana, I'm glad that you have enjoyed it 🙂
Maria
I have already tried this recipe 3 times.... delicious each time.. thanks so much for posting. I was wondering, could I use this recipe as a pizza dough? I thought of doubling the ingredients...what do you suggest? Thanks 😊😊
munatycooking
I do use it as a pizza dough and my family love it, go ahead and try it, I'm sure you'll enjoy the flavor 🙂
Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!
What a great way to start out the new year! I've never made focaccia at home.
munatycooking
Glad you liked it 😊
Felicity Robinson
Love how fool proof this recipe is. Turns out perfect every time 🙂
munatycooking
Thank you so much for the feedback 😊
Nadia Olynyk
Haven't tried the recipe yet - I'm trying to watch the video, but the "video" link doesn't seem to be working. Do I need to subscribe to something in order to watch? I'd be very grateful for anyone's help with this!
Muna
Hi Nadia, I have tried the video, and it is working fine. It is located in the recipe card but if you have activated an Ad Blocker then you won't be able to view it.
Lindsey Roberts
Hi Muna,
This recipe is amazing.
I tried it last night. As I was making it I realized that there was not enough dough to fill the rectangle pan I wanted to use so I made 3 separate balls in 3 separate bowls. After the first rising period I put one ball in to a 7 inch iron skillet and then the other two balls I put in to the rectangle and and then just spread the two balls in to that. The focaccia was AMAZING so light and tasty and delish. I did have to cook it for 25 minutes (not 12-14 mins) but I know every oven is different. (25 mins on 375)
I am in the process of making it again tonight, two balls that I have spread in to one larger rectangle pan. It just came out of the oven and it looks and smells amazing.
QUESTION: In order to make just one big ball of dough to fit the larger rectangle pan should I just DOUBLE ingredients? so for example 3 teaspoons of yeast, 1 cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 table spoons of oil and 2 cups of flour? Then let first proofing be for 1 1/2 hours as per original recipe?
Thank You so much,
Lindsey
Muna
Hi Lindsey, Thank you for the comment. For a large pan, I think it is better to tripple the recipe. The time of roofing the dough should stay the same 😊. Hope this helped