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    Home » Recipes » Bread and Buns

    Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe

    Published Jan 19, 2022 · by Jacqueline Piper · 8 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    224 shares
    Jump to Recipe Rate this recipe
    squares of focaccia bread
    squares of focaccia bread

    Focaccia Bread - You'll have crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside focaccia bread in about an hour with this easy recipe. This simple bread recipe requires just five ingredients and a little bit of rise time. Plus, try my ideas for toppings for focaccia bread and take this bread recipe to the next level.

    squares of focaccia bread

    Focaccia bread is an Italian bread made with olive oil, yeast and a soft dough. On the doughs second rise it is dimpled by pushing your fingers into the dough to create craters for olive oil to pool in. The result is a dough that's crispy and flavorful on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.

    You can make the base recipe or add toppings to the focaccia dough before baking. The possibilities are endless, but some great add-ins are herbs, olives, tomatoes, caramelized onions or cheese. You can fold any focaccia toppings into your dough, or just push them in from the top when you dimple the dough before baking.

    If you're a bread lover, try this focaccia recipe and see how easy it is. I've got step by step photos and a video tutorial in this post. And if you've never had focaccia bread, then you're really in for a treat.

    Use the table of contents below to jump to any section of this blog post, including information about the ingredients, substitutions you can make, how to store this recipe, step-by-step photos, and a printable recipe card. You can also use the jump to recipe link above to get right to the card.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • More bread recipes
    • Recipe
    a whole focaccia bread

    Ingredients

    • all-purpose flour - I do all of my baking with all-purpose flour and it works in this recipe.
    • sugar - the sugar feeds the yeast in this recipe
    • salt - salt brings out the flavor in the dough. Don't skip it.
    • instant yeast - there is no need to proof instant yeast, just add it in with the flour.
    • olive oil - Use a really nice quality olive oil for the best results. I add the oil in the dough and on top before baking.
    • toppings for focaccia bread - use any optional toppings you like. Some ideas are olives, parmesan cheese, dried herbs like rosemary or thyme, sun dried tomatoes or caramelized onions. I'm showing you the base recipe in this post.
    squares of focaccia bread

    Which yeast to use: I use instant yeast in this recipe. If you use active dry yeast you'll need to proof it in warm water first. To do this add the sugar and yeast to the warm water, stir and let sit for 10 minutes, or until frothy. If this doesn't happen, the water was either too hot or cold or the yeast wasn't good anymore. Once your yeast is ready add the oil, flour and salt and proceed with the recipe.

    Instructions

    To start the dough, mix together the warm water, olive oil, sugar, and salt. Add the flour on top and the yeast on top of that. Mix everything together. I usually do this by hand, stirring the dough with a fork and then kneading for a few minutes once it comes together.

    Move to lightly floured counter top and knead the dough until it's smooth, about 4-5 minutes or so. This dough will be pretty soft and a touch sticky. Try not to add too much extra flour.

    shaggy dough in a bowl for focaccia bread
    Shaggy dough
    a round ball of dough in a bowl for focaccia bread
    Dough after kneading

    Cover the dough lightly in oil and set in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for about 30 minutes or so in a warm place.

    a ball of dough covered with oil in a bowl
    Dough before rising
    risen dough in a bowl
    Dough after rising

    After the first rise, sprinkle the bottom of a large cast iron pan, a 9 x 13 baking pan, or a baking sheet with semolina or corn meal. Press the dough into the pan until it touches the edges. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes.

    plastic wrap covered dough in a baking dish
    Dough before 2nd rise
    risen dough in a baking dish
    Dough after 2nd rise
    risen dough for focaccia bread, covered in oil in a baking dish
    Dough after dimpling

    Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

    Using your fingertips, push straight down into the dough, making little divots or dimples in the dough. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with some sea salt and herbs if you want.  This is where you would also add in any optional toppings to your focaccia bread.

    Bake for about 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown.

    Let cool for a few minutes and then slice it up into squares. Use as a side for dinner or for sandwiches.

    a whole focaccia bread

    Equipment

    I've made this dough by hand and by using my stand mixer, it works well both ways. To bake, I like a large cast iron pan, a 9 x13 baking dish for tall fluffy bread, or a cookie sheet for thinner bread.

    More bread recipes

    • Quick + Easy Brioche Style Buns
    • White Sandwich Bread
    • Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

    Recipe

    squares of focaccia bread

    Easy Focaccia Bread

    Jacqueline Piper
    5 from 6 votes
    Try this quick and easy focaccia bread for tasty, one hour bread that's crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Servings 12 squares

    Equipment

    • 9 x 13 Baking Dish
    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Baking Sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 350 ml warm water (1 ½ cups)
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
    • 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 500 grams all-purpose flour (about 4 cups)
    • cornmeal or semonlina (for dusting)
    • ¼ cup olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
    Makes: 9inch9 x 13inch rectangle
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl mix together the warm water, sugar, oil, and salt.
    • Add the flour and yeast and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
    • Move the dough to a lightly floured counter and knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough comes together in a smoother ball.
    • Lightly cover the dough in oil and set in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel and allow to rise for abut 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
    • Sprinkle the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with cornmeal or semolina. Stretch the dough to the edges of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for another half an hour or so.
    • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Using your fingers, push down little dimples all over the dough. Drizzle with olive oil. Add any additional toppings.
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until deeply gold brown and cooked through.

    Notes

    Substitutions - To use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, proof the yeast in warm water first. To do this, mix together the water, sugar, and yeast and let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.  Then add the oil, flour, and salt and continue with the recipe.
    Toppings - To add any additional toppings scatter them on top and push them into the dough during the dimpling process. Toppings ideas are olives, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, caramelized onions, or shredded cheese such as Parmesan.
    Storage - Lasts for 2-3 days, wrapped on the counter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 6gFat: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used.

    Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
    Keyword bread, focaccia
    Have you tried a recipe? Tag @pipercooksblog or tag #pipercooksblog!

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

    This post was originally posted on November 16, 2018 . Updated January 19, 2022 to provide clearer recipe information and nutritional information.

    What toppings go well on focaccia?

    Popular toppings for focaccia bread include mozzarella or parmesan cheese, sun-dried or cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, olives, artichokes and herbs.

    Save this image to your bread board on Pinterest.

    squares of focaccia bread

    I try to improve my photography every time I take a photo. Leaving an original photo here to remind myself of progress.

    Quick and Easy Focaccia Bread  - PiperCooks
    Quick and Easy Focaccia Bread  - PiperCooks
    Quick and Easy Focaccia Bread  - PiperCooks

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    224 shares

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    1. Norma Alexandwe

      November 27, 2020 at 4:06 pm

      Making it today. Your sesame noodles were fantastic. Also making your brococoli cheese soup today!

      Reply
      • Norma Alexander

        November 27, 2020 at 7:01 pm

        Made the focaccia. Will definitely be making it again. Wondered before I made it, if 30 mins. Was enough rise time but if sure was. Thanks for the recipe

        Reply
        • pipercooks

          November 27, 2020 at 7:02 pm

          Woo! Glad it worked out for you! Thanks for the comment 🙂

          Reply
      • pipercooks

        November 27, 2020 at 7:03 pm

        So good to know you guys are enjoying them all! Thanks 😀

        Reply
    2. Yvette

      February 03, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      What can I use to substitute the cornmeal for dusting?

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Piper

        February 04, 2022 at 10:09 am

        Hi Yvette,

        You can just leave it out if you don't have it.

        Jacqueline

        Reply
    3. Gail Lofdahl

      April 06, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      If you're using a stand mixer, how long do you beat the dough (using a dough hook, I presume)?

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Piper

        April 07, 2022 at 8:22 am

        Hi Gail,

        Mixer time is usually about half of the manual kneading time, but look for a sightly sticky dough that comes away from the side of your mixer bowl and has a fairly smooth surface. It should be a pretty cohesive ball. When mixing softer dough in a stand mixer, I find that the dough sort of reaches out at the bottom of the bowl and sticks more than a firmer dough - this is fine as long as the dough has all come together and away from the sides of the bowl!

        Reply

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