We love homemade bread recipes like Soft Dinner Rolls, Biscuits, and Banana Bread, because there’s nothing like the aroma of freshly baked bread and Focaccia is about to become your new favorite. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Focaccia Bread Video Tutorial
There’s nothing like freshly baked Focaccia bread. This one was inspired by our favorite Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich on Focaccia. See how simple it is to make this easy focaccia recipe. Natasha shares her techniques for getting those traditional focaccia dimples. It’s easier than you think!
What is Focaccia?
Focaccia (pronounced fuh-kaa-chuh) is a classic Italian bread. The name focaccia is derived from the Roman “panis focacius,” which means “hearth bread” indicating that it was originally baked in coals back in Roman times. It is considered a flatbread, and the texture is similar to pizza dough. It’s baked with a generous amount of olive oil in the pan which creates a crisp edge and the topping variations are endless.
Focaccia Bread Ingredients
The key to making great Italian focaccia bread is using a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil which creates a crispy and flavorful crust.
Flour– use all-purpose flour or bread flour for focaccia. Be sure to measure flour correctly or the bread could end up dense or tough. Yeast – get one packet (7 grams) of instant yeast. The label should say “quick-rise” or “rapid rise.” The right yeast is key to making this bread in about 4 hours from start to finish. Honey – helps activate the yeast and balances flavor Salt – we use fine sea salt for the dough and sauce then sprinkle kosher salt over the top before baking. Water – use filtered warm water (105˚-115˚F)
Classic Topping Ingredients
Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil works best here for flavor. This makes the crust so crisp Water – helps to thin the topping so it is easy to coat the dough Garlic, rosemary, sea salt – add unbelievable flavor – see more variation ideas below. We also sprinkle the top of the dough with kosher salt.
How to Make Focaccia Bread
Focaccia bread is so simple to make at home in just a few steps and minimal rise time. Watch our video tutorial and see the photos below to see our easy process.
Pizza Focaccia – add mozzarella cheese, mini pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. Dip in marinara. Classic Olive Focaccia – Olives with thyme or rosemary Herbs – rosemary, thyme, tarragon, or sage Veggies – add caramelized onions, spinach leaves, sundried tomatoes, or roasted chopped veggies like eggplant, red onions, and bell pepper, just be sure it’s not too watery. Cheese – feta cheese crumbles or parmesan cheese Sweet focaccia – try sliced strawberries with basil and drizzled with balsamic vinegar
Shaping Italian Focaccia Bread
Why Didn’t My Focaccia Bread Rise?
There could be a few reasons – use a thermometer to ensure your water temperature is 105-115˚F so you don’t kill your yeast. Check that your yeast isn’t expired – if it doesn’t form a foamy later in the first step, discard it, and start over with fresh yeast. Also, measure flour correctly as too much flour can result in a dense dough.
What Type of Pan is Best for Focaccia Bread?
I like the way a 9×13″ metal cake pan makes the bread crisp and thick enough for dipping and also for slicing for sandwiches, but you can use a jelly roll pan if you want the bread thinner or for making focaccia pizza. For skillet focaccia bread, cut the recipe in half and try using a 9-10″ cast iron skillet or a cake pan. For a thicker bread, use a loaf pan.
How to Serve Focaccia
Homemade focaccia bread looks and tastes great at any meal. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy this classic Italian bread.
Side Dish – serve focaccia like you would dinner rolls. We love to pair it with Zuppa Toscana or Italian Wedding Soup. Sandwich Bread – It makes the best-ever BLT Sandwich and Chicken Club Sandwiches. With a Dipping Sauce – you’ll love this restaurant-style bread dip: In a small dish, combine equal parts extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of black pepper.
I hope you’re inspired to make homemade Focaccia bread. It will make you feel like a pro baker and it’s so simple with very little active time. P.S. What is your favorite topping for focaccia? Tell us in the comments!
To Refrigerate: This can quickly dry out the bread, so it’s not my favorite way to store focaccia. Freezing: When the bread has cooled to room temperature, wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap and freeze it for 2 months. Freeze the bread the same day it’s made and it will taste fresh when thawed. To Reheat: Thaw at room temperature or speed thaw in the microwave at 15-second intervals until no longer frozen. To reheat, bake in the oven at 350˚F for 8 minutes or air fry at 350˚F for 3-4 minutes until warmed through.
More Bread Recipes
If you love this Focaccia bread, then you won’t want to miss these bread recipes.
Crusty French Bread Dutch Oven Bread No-Knead Bread Recipe Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Sourdough Bread Homemade English Muffins
