Focaccia Bread Recipe (VIDEO)

This Focaccia Bread recipe has the most crisp chewy crust, airy soft center, and amazing garlic rosemary topping. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is to make homemade Focaccia (and you don’t have to wait overnight).

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.

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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.

1. Proof Yeast – Combine water, honey, and yeast and let sit for 7-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures the yeast is active.
2. Make the Dough – Combine flour and salt, then mix in the yeast mixture with a wooden spoon until a moist mass of dough forms without streaks of flour. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and mix it in with your hands. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
3. Make the Topping – While the dough is proofing, combine the topping ingredients in a dish so the oil gets infused with wonderful garlic and rosemary flavor which soaks into the dough dimples.
4. Develop Gluten – After the 30-minute rest and the dough looks puffed, perform 4 stretches and folds, allowing the dough to rest covered for 30 minutes between each set. Turn the bowl between each stretch and fold and pull the dough gently without tearing it. See the video tutorial for a demonstration.

Shaping Italian Focaccia Bread

1. Mold to the Pan – after the fourth stretch and fold, immediately transfer it to a 9×13 pan coated with 1/4 cup olive oil. Turn the dough and gently stretch to the edges. If it is difficult to stretch, rest for 15 minutes and try again, then cover and rest for 45-60 minutes.
2. Dimples – dip fingers in water and poke fingertips into dough going straight down in a quick motion like playing the piano. Go over the dough 2-3 times to create plenty of dimples.
3. Add Toppings and Bake – Re-whisk topping then drizzle it evenly over the top of the dough. Bake at 450˚F for 22-25 minutes until golden brown. I aim for 25 minutes for a crisp crust. Immediately transfer the bread to a wire rack and rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

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!

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
• Sourdough Dinner Rolls