If you’ve ever dreamt of infusing your kitchen with the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread, this Homemade Focaccia Bread is destined to be your new favorite ritual. With its crisp golden crust and pillowy, olive oil-kissed interior, every bite bursts with rustic Italian flavor and endless customization possibilities. Whether you’re brand new to bread or a seasoned baker seeking that perfect chewy crumb, this recipe is a joyful, simple way to bring bakery magic right to your table. Get ready to fall head over heels for the process and the result!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making incredible Homemade Focaccia Bread is all about using straightforward pantry staples and letting each ingredient shine. Each one brings a little magic to the table, and together, they create something far greater than the sum of their parts!
- All-purpose flour: Provides the soft, tender base for the bread and helps achieve that lovely airy texture.
- Sugar: Just a little wakes up the yeast and lightly enhances the rich flavor.
- Kosher salt: Balances the dough and gives the finished bread depth and complexity.
- Instant yeast: The secret to a beautiful, reliable rise without the fuss of proofing separately.
- Warm water (about 110°F): Activates the yeast and brings the dough together—double-check that it’s not too hot or cold for optimal bubbling.
- Olive oil: The soul of focaccia—adds richness, creates a golden crust, and infuses every bite with Mediterranean sunshine.
- Flaky sea salt for topping: Sprinkled on top, it adds irresistible pops of flavor and crunch with each mouthful.
- Fresh rosemary or other herbs (optional): These lend an aromatic touch and a pop of green, making your loaf as beautiful as it is delicious.
How to Make Homemade Focaccia Bread
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and whisking together the flour, sugar, kosher salt, and instant yeast. Pour in the warm water and olive oil, and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. It might look a little rough at first, but that’s what you want—no kneading required yet!
Step 2: First Rise
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside at room temperature. Let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it’s doubled in size and marvelously puffy with little air pockets throughout. Watching your Homemade Focaccia Bread dough come to life is deeply satisfying—and proof that homemade is always worth it!
Step 3: Prep the Pan
Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with olive oil, making sure to coat every corner and edge. This not only helps prevent sticking but also crisps up the underside of your bread, giving it that irresistible, crunchy bottom layer.
Step 4: Second Rise
Transfer the risen dough to the greased pan, using oiled hands to gently stretch and pat it out to fill the pan—no need to be perfect. Cover loosely and let it rise again for another 30 to 45 minutes, until it looks plush and fills the pan’s edges. This last rise ensures your Homemade Focaccia Bread is beautifully light and fluffy.
Step 5: Dimple and Drizzle
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Now comes the signature focaccia ritual: generously drizzle olive oil over the dough’s surface, then, with oiled fingertips, press deep dimples all over the top—don’t be shy! These pockets will fill with flavor as the bread bakes. Finish with a shower of flaky sea salt and add herbs like rosemary if you like for that classic Italian vibe.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan onto the middle rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the focaccia is gloriously golden brown and the edges sound hollow when tapped. The anticipation as it bakes is half the fun! Let your Homemade Focaccia Bread cool just slightly, enough to handle, then slice and savor every steamy bite.
How to Serve Homemade Focaccia Bread
Garnishes
Keep it classic with a sprinkle of more fresh rosemary, or get playful with toppings like flaky sea salt, cracked pepper, roasted garlic, or even a drizzle of good balsamic reduction. Each garnish brings out a new character in your Homemade Focaccia Bread and transforms a simple loaf into a true showstopper.
Side Dishes
Serve warm slices alongside vibrant salads, comforting soups, or antipasto platters piled high with olives and Italian cheeses. Homemade Focaccia Bread is impossibly versatile—it makes an irresistible partner to nearly any meal, or it can easily steal the show as a starter all on its own.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to cut your focaccia into elegant strips, rustic wedges, or small squares—perfect for dunking, stacking, or sharing. Try using it as the base for an Italian-style sandwich, or slice it horizontally for a decadent breakfast avocado toast. The canvas is truly yours!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Homemade Focaccia Bread tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then store it at room temperature for up to two days. The crust might lose its crispness, but the flavor remains unbeatable for snacks or sandwiches.
Freezing
To stash some for future cravings, let the bread cool completely, slice if desired, then wrap well in plastic and foil before freezing. Frozen homemade focaccia keeps beautifully for up to a month, ready for impromptu guests or midnight bread fixes.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked magic, warm slices in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes, or pop them into a toaster oven. The crust will re-crisp perfectly and the inside will become deliciously soft again, just like the day you made it.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Absolutely! Just dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it bubble for about 5 to 10 minutes before adding it to the flour mixture; this guarantees a great rise for your focaccia.
What toppings can I add before baking?
Feel free to get creative—classic options include sliced olives, juicy cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, or mixed herbs. Press your chosen toppings lightly into the dough after dimpling to keep them anchored during baking.
Why is my focaccia not as airy as I hoped?
The magic is in the rise! Make sure your dough has doubled both times, and resist the urge to rush the process. Also, handle the dough gently when transferring and spreading it—minimal deflation keeps those delicious air pockets intact.
Can I bake focaccia in a skillet or on a pizza stone?
Definitely. A cast iron skillet or preheated stone delivers a thicker, crunchier crust. Just be sure to carefully oil the skillet or stone before adding the dough, and reduce the baking time slightly if using a thinner layer.
Is focaccia vegan?
Yes, this recipe for Homemade Focaccia Bread is naturally vegan, since it uses only flour, olive oil, water, yeast, salt, and sugar—no dairy or eggs required.
Final Thoughts
Homemade Focaccia Bread is pure comfort, irresistible flavor, and a wonderful way to turn a handful of humble ingredients into something extraordinary. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try, savoring every golden bite and sharing the homemade joy with those around your table. Happy baking!
Print
Homemade Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to make delicious Homemade Focaccia Bread with this easy recipe. This classic Italian bread is perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1¾ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup olive oil
Toppings:
- Flaky sea salt for topping
- Fresh rosemary or other herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add water and olive oil, stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Rise the Dough: Cover the bowl, let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled. Grease a baking pan.
- Shape and Rise: Transfer dough into the pan, let rise for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat and Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F. Drizzle dough with olive oil, add dimples, sprinkle with salt and herbs. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Serve: Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can customize with toppings like olives, tomatoes, or onions.
- For a crispier crust, bake in a cast iron skillet or on a preheated baking stone.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
