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    Home » Recipes » Breads

    Focaccia Bread

    By: Jessica · Posted: Nov 22, 2020 · Updated: Nov 7, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 6 comments
    5 from 5 votes

    Focaccia Bread: An easy recipe that’s perfect to serve as a stand-alone side, as a sandwich, or even as an appetizer!

    Homemade bread is easier than you think. This focaccia bread is one of the best bread recipes because it uses simple, pantry staples and transforms them into a bread with a soft, fluffy interior and perfectly chewy exterior. A definite crowd-pleaser, that you’ll want to make along with this cheesy bread recipe!

    Focaccia bread in a bowl with a fabric napkin.

     

    Meg here again from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence. With the temperature dropping, it’s that time again. Homemade bread season. I’m bringing a focaccia bread recipe today that will quickly become a must-have at your family meals, along with this easy Italian white bread.

    What is Focaccia Bread?

    Focaccia bread is characterized by the little dimples all over the top of the bread. Those dimples are important to prevent the bread from rising too fast as it bakes, keeping it on the thinner side.

    And an added bonus, the dimples catch the delicious olive oil drizzle and herbs that are sprinkled on top which provide great flavor and crunchy texture.

    Jump to:
    • What is Focaccia Bread?
    • Focaccia Bread Ingredients
    • Rosemary Focaccia
    • Do I Need a Stand Mixer?
    • How to Make Focaccia Bread
    • Time to Rise
    • Prepare the Baking Pans
    • Second Rise
    • Final Preparations and Baking
    • How to Serve Your Focaccia Bread
    • Can you Freeze Focaccia Bread?
    • What do you eat Focaccia Bread With?
    • More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Focaccia Bread Ingredients

    Like with most bread recipes, the ingredients for this focaccia bread recipe are very simple and probably already stocked in your kitchen.

    • Warm water: you’ll want the water between 105 and 115 degrees F. This will ensure the yeast will be activated and start to bubble without killing it.
    • Sugar: Granulated sugar is great to use and helps activate the yeast which feeds on sugar.
    • Active dry yeast: You can either use a packet of yeast or 2 ¼ teaspoons if you buy it in jars.
    • Flaky kosher salt or sea salt: Salt goes into the bread dough and is also sprinkled on top before baking. It provides lots of flavor to the bread. I like using a flaky salt so that you can taste it in each bite and have that yummy little crunch.
    • Olive oil: This is key to getting that delicious golden crust that is perfectly chewy. It also is added to the dough.

    Rosemary Focaccia

    Rosemary is totally optional but it adds another flavor dimension. If you don’t care for rosemary or it doesn’t go with the meal you are serving, you can definitely leave it out or add different herbs. Thyme, oregano, and basil would all be great options.

    Rosemary focaccia bread in pan.

    Do I Need a Stand Mixer?

    While it’s easier and less work to use a stand mixer, you can certainly make this by hand.

    When the recipe states to knead the dough in the mixer, you would simply knead it by hand on a floured surface instead for the same amount of time.

    How to Make Focaccia Bread

    Start by adding the warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer. If you’re doing this by hand, add it to a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and yeast until dissolved and allow to rest for 5 minutes. It should be bubbly.

    Add the olive oil and give the mixer a quick spin to incorporate it. Add salt and 3 cups of flour to the mixer and using the dough hook attachment, mix until it comes together. Use a wooden spoon to stir if making by hand.

    Now, add the remaining cup of flour, ¼ cup flour at a time, until a soft dough comes together.

    Knead for 6 to 8 minutes in the mixer or by hand on a floured surface.

    Bread dough in bowl.

    Time to Rise

    Once the dough is kneaded, add it to a large, well oiled bowl for its first rise. You’ll want it to double in size, which should take 45 minutes to an hour. The time will depend on the temperature of your room.

    Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it in half.

    Focaccia bread dough rising in bowl.

    Prepare the Baking Pans

    Butter two 9-inch cake pans well. We don’t want any sticking here.

    Sprinkle a tablespoon of cornmeal into each of the buttered pans and shake around until the bottoms are coated.  

    Punched focaccia bread dough.

    Second Rise

    Place the dough into the prepared baking pans and press gently to the edges of the pans. It’s ok if they don’t completely reach the sides, as it rises it will spread.

    Press your fingers gently about halfway down the dough, all over the top. Cover and let rise again, this time about 30 minutes.

    Bread dough in pans for focaccia recipe.

    Final Preparations and Baking

    Once the second rise is complete, repeat the dimpling process with your fingers. Brush each loaf of bread with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with flaky salt and dried rosemary.

    Now it’s time to bake and enjoy. Carefully remove the bread from the pans and slice as desired.

    Oil and rosemary on focaccia bread.

    How to Serve Your Focaccia Bread

    There are so many uses for this bread, starting with eating it warm straight from the pan. Or even better, with a big smear of softened butter.

    It also makes great sandwiches and paninis. I love it as a side to soup and pasta as well.

    If you’re serving this as a side to dinner, I recommend cutting each loaf into 8 equal wedges. If you’re making sandwiches, cut into fourths then slice those in half and fill with your favorite ingredients.

    Sliced focaccia bread in basket.

    Can you Freeze Focaccia Bread?

    If you find yourself with extra focaccia bread, no worries. It freezes really well and will last in the freezer for about a month.

    Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap then in foil. Place the wrapped loaf or pieces in a freezer safe bag and place in the freezer.

    When you’re ready to use it, grab it out and let it defrost on the counter for about an hour or two.

    What do you eat Focaccia Bread With?

    What do you eat Focaccia Bread With?

    You can eat focaccia bread with just about anything as a side dish! Or, you can use it as a bread for your favorite sandwich. Here are recipes that I think you’ll love this for or with: Caprese Sandwich, Easy Potato Soup
    The Best Egg Salad! Or serve it alongside this creamy pasta recipe!

    Do you eat focaccia hot or cold?

    It’s best warm or room temperature! So if it has been in the refrigerator, it wouldn’t hurt to warm it in the microwave or oven, VERY gently, and not too long or it could get very hard.

    How long does focaccia last in the fridge?

    It can keep up to four days in the fridge but make sure it’s stored in an airtight bag!

    Focaccia bread sliced and stacked on a cutting board.

    More Easy Recipes You’ll Love

    If you loved this bread recipe you’re going to love these:

    • The BEST Banana Bread
    • Easy Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding
    • Cream Cheese Toffee Pumpkin Bread

    Did You Make This?
    Snap a pic and hashtag it #Fantabulosity — I love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook.

    Recipe

    Focaccia bread in a bowl.

    Focaccia Bread

    Jessica Burgess
    This focaccia bread uses simple, pantry staples and transforms them into a bread with a soft, fluffy interior and perfectly chewy exterior. A definite crowd pleaser.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 loaves
    Calories 211 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 package active-dry yeast, or 2 ¼ teaspoon
    • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ cups warm water (105-115 degrees F)
    • 3 Tablespoon olive oil, divided
    • 1 ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher or sea salt, divided
    • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
    • Cornmeal, for dusting pan

    Instructions
     

    • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl if making by hand), whisk together the yeast, sugar and warm water until dissolved. Let stand for 5 minutes.
    • Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Using the bread hook attachment, mix together until a ragged dough forms. Stir with a wooden spoon if making by hand. Add flour, ¼ cup at a time, until a soft dough comes together. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes in mixer or on floured surface by hand.
    • Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Form dough into a ball and place in prepared bowl. Cover with a towel and place in a warm spot to double in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
    • Butter two 9-inch cake pans well. Add a tablespoon or two of cornmeal and shake around until the bottom is coated. Discard any excess. After doubled, punch down dough. Divide in half. Press each half the dough into one of the prepared pans until the sides are reached. If it doesn't quite touch the sides, that's fine. Repeat with remaining dough. Using your fingers, stipple the dough by pressing halfway down. Cover again and let rise in a warm place for 40 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Stipple dough again. Brush each with ½ tablespoon of olive oil each. Sprinkle each with ⅛ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon rosemary.
    • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden. When done, remove from pans and slice each loaf into 8 equal wedges.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 1204mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords bread recipe, easy bread recipe, side dish recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    1. Katie says

      February 10, 2021 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      So flavorful and delicious!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 10, 2021 at 3:48 pm

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
    2. Jen Bryant says

      February 10, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      My family loves this bread so much. I am happy there was some leftover to make a sandwich today!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 10, 2021 at 1:38 pm

        Ooooh! Those are the best kinds of leftovers! Thank you for letting us know. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Melissa says

      February 10, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy recipe – we recently used it as an appetizer. It was the best!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 10, 2021 at 1:37 pm

        What a great way to use it! Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂

        Reply

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    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity, slicing an avocado.

    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

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