Focaccia Recipe

Focaccia is a type of Italian bread known for its soft texture and rich flavor. This flat oven-baked bread can be topped with a variety of ingredients, making it a versatile snack or side dish. It’s perfect for dipping in olive oil, serving alongside soups, or enjoying on its own. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, making focaccia at home can be a rewarding experience.

Why Make This Recipe

Making focaccia from scratch is not only satisfying, but it also allows you to customize the flavors and toppings to your liking. The combination of warm water, olive oil, and potatoes makes this bread incredibly soft and flavorful. Plus, it fills your kitchen with a delightful aroma as it bakes. It’s a great way to impress family and friends or simply treat yourself to a delicious homemade bread.

How to Make Focaccia

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups bread flour
4 tsp white sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt (kosher/cooking salt)
1 tsp instant/rapid rise yeast
3/4 cup very warm water (~40°C / 104°F)
1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
125g / 1/2 cup (packed) boiled and mashed potato (around 1/2 large potato; floury variety)
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for topping)
1/4 tsp sea salt flakes
5 garlic cloves (cut into fine batons)
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
2 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
12 – 14 red cherry tomatoes
3/4 tsp dried oregano leaves (or 2 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves)
16 – 18 kalamata olives (pitted)

Directions:

Focaccia Dough:

Make Mashed Potato: Peel potato, cut into chunks, and boil until tender. Drain and mash until smooth. Set aside to cool.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry mix, then add olive oil and warm water. Mix until no flour is visible.
Add Potato: Fold in the mashed potato until well combined, then shape into a ball.
First Rise: Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Fold Dough: Drizzle another bowl with olive oil, add the dough, and fold the edges into the center. Shape into a ball and cover.
Second Rise: Let rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Prepare Pan: Grease a baking pan with olive oil.
Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 220°C / 430°F.
Put Dough in Pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and stretch it to fit.
Third Rise: Cover and let the dough rise for 40 minutes.

Prepare for Baking:

Smear Oil: Brush the surface with olive oil.
Poke Dough: Use your fingers to create dimples in the dough.
Add Toppings: Add your choice of toppings such as garlic, rosemary, olives, or tomatoes.
Finish with Oil: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake:

Bake: Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden.
Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Wait at least 10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve Focaccia

Focaccia is best served warm, drizzled with olive oil or paired with balsamic vinegar for dipping. It also goes well with soups and salads, or can be used as a sandwich base.

How to Store Focaccia

To store focaccia, wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container at room temperature. It is best consumed within a few days. For longer storage, slice it and freeze pieces wrapped in foil.

Tips to Make Focaccia

Ensure your water is warm but not too hot, as very hot water can kill the yeast.
For a more flavorful bread, let the dough rise slower in the refrigerator overnight.
Experiment with different toppings such as olives, cheese, or herbs.

Variation

You can customize your focaccia with different toppings like sun-dried tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, or even a sprinkle of cheese for added flavor.

FAQs

1. How can I make my focaccia extra crispy?
To achieve a crispier crust, increase the baking time slightly or use a baking stone.

2. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, all-purpose flour can be used, but bread flour will give you a chewier texture.

3. What can I do if my dough isn’t rising?
Ensure that your yeast is active and that you’re placing the dough in a warm, draft-free area. If needed, let it rise longer.

Enjoy your homemade focaccia – it’s simple, delicious, and sure to impress!

Focaccia

Focaccia is a soft and flavorful Italian bread, perfect for dipping in olive oil or serving with meals. Customizable with various toppings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 2

Course Bread, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

1 2/3 cups bread flour
4 tsp white sugar
1 1/4 tsp salt (kosher/cooking salt)
1 tsp instant/rapid rise yeast
3/4 cup very warm water (~40°C / 104°F) Ensure water is warm but not too hot
1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
125 g boiled and mashed potato (around 1/2 large potato; floury variety)

Toppings

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for topping)
1/4 tsp sea salt flakes
5 garlic cloves (cut into fine batons)
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
2 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
12 - 14 red cherry tomatoes
3/4 tsp dried oregano leaves (or 2 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves)
16 - 18 kalamata olives (pitted)

Instructions

Focaccia Dough

Make Mashed Potato: Peel potato, cut into chunks, and boil until tender. Drain and mash until smooth. Set aside to cool.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry mix, then add olive oil and warm water. Mix until no flour is visible.
Add Potato: Fold in the mashed potato until well combined, then shape into a ball.
First Rise: Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Fold Dough: Drizzle another bowl with olive oil, add the dough, and fold the edges into the center. Shape into a ball and cover.
Second Rise: Let rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Prepare Pan: Grease a baking pan with olive oil.
Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 220°C / 430°F.
Put Dough in Pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and stretch it to fit.
Third Rise: Cover and let the dough rise for 40 minutes.

Prepare for Baking

Smear Oil: Brush the surface with olive oil.
Poke Dough: Use your fingers to create dimples in the dough.
Add Toppings: Add your choice of toppings such as garlic, rosemary, olives, or tomatoes.
Finish with Oil: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake

Bake: Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden.
Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Wait at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Focaccia is best served warm, drizzled with olive oil or paired with balsamic vinegar for dipping. Store in plastic wrap or airtight container at room temperature, best consumed within a few days. For longer storage, slice and freeze pieces wrapped in foil. Tips: Ensure your water is warm but not too hot, let the dough rise slower in the refrigerator overnight, and experiment with different toppings.

Keyword Baking, Bread Recipe, Focaccia, Homemade Bread, Italian Bread