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    Focaccia

    May 2, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    3.6K shares

    Read in: Deutsch

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    focaccia bread pinterest pin

    Homemade Focaccia Bread with Herbs, Garlic, and Olive Oil! A simple yet delicious Italian bread recipe for every occasion.

    focaccia bread next to olive oil

    What Is Focaccia – Italian Bread Favorite

    Focaccia is one of the most popular and beloved Italian bread recipes, a real classic. It is an airy flatbread, full of flavor, easy to make, and loved by everyone.

    One of the most recognizable characteristics of this bread are the little dimples! They reduce the air in the dough and prevent the focaccia from rising too quickly. 

    homemade focaccia on a wooden board

    Have you ever wondered how to make those dimples? It turns out it’s super easy: Press all of your fingers a few times deep into the unbaked focaccia dough!

    That’s it, all the magic. You can see exactly how to do this further down in the step-by-step instructions. 😉

    What I do love about this flatbread is that it’s super simple to make with minimal effort. It’s also an excellent recipe for baking beginners.

    Herb, Garlic, and Olive Oil Topping

    Surely you already know the classics: Focaccia marinated with fresh rosemary or kosher salt? I’ll show you a slightly different variation, which leaves this bread with much more flavor and some “yummy, how delicious” moments. 😉

    focaccia slices stapled next to a bowl with olive oil

    I love to top it with a mixture of dried Italian herbs, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. Spread the focaccia with it right before you put it in the oven, and you will be rewarded with a flavorful result.

    You can use any dried Italian herbs. I do like to use a mixture of rosemary, thyme, basil, and oregano. The only rule you need to stick to is: Use dried herbs and not fresh ones. Since they are baked at a very high temperature, fresh herbs would burn. 

    What To Serve With Focaccia?

    Almost everything, actually. But it tastes especially delicious with antipasti, pesto rosso, grilled vegetables, or Italian summer salads.

    I also like to bring it to barbecues during the summer. By the way, you can also use it to make sandwiches or focaccia pizza. 

    Aline’s Tip: Add a dash of Aceto Balsamico cream to the olive oil for dipping, simply delicious!

    a sliced focaccia bread on a table next to a bowl with olive oil

    How To Make This Focaccia Bread Recipe

    This step-by-step guide will help you along the way – definitely recommended if you’re a baking beginner!

    The exact quantities and everything else you need to know for the recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

    • Mix warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.
    • Mix all-purpose flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add water-yeast-sugar mixture and olive oil.
    focaccia recipe step 1
    • Knead for 5-10 minutes at low speed until you have a smooth dough.
    focaccia recipe step 2
    • Grease a large bowl with 1 tsp olive oil, place the dough in it, cover with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
    focaccia recipe step 3
    • Meanwhile, mix olive oil, garlic, and herbs for the topping in a small bowl and set aside.
    focaccia recipe step 4
    • Punch the dough to deflate and place it on a with parchment paper lined baking sheet. Stretch and flatten into a rectangle.
    • focaccia recipe step 5
    • focaccia recipe step 6
    • Push all your fingers a few times deep into the dough for the typical focaccia look.
    focaccia recipe step 7
    • Cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let it rise for another 30 minutes. → To make this Italian bread even crispier, feel free to brush the parchment paper with some olive oil. 
    focaccia recipe step 8
    • Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
    • Spread with the topping. The easiest way to do this is by using a basting brush.
    focaccia recipe step 9
    • If you like, sprinkle with sea salt flakes.
    focaccia recipe step 10
    • Bake if for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. → Turn 180° in the halftime to allow an even browning. *Most ordinary ovens we have at home bake unevenly. Often one side is much hotter, so it happens that one side of the bread/cake, or whatever you bake, is darker than the other. 😉
    focaccia recipe step 11

    Recipe FAQ

    How long does this Focaccia bread stay fresh? It’s best eaten the same day you prepare it. But you can store it for one day in a plastic bag or Tupperware, reheat before serving.

    Can I freeze this bread? Yes, preferably immediately after baking, as soon as it has cooled. Cut it into small pieces before freezing so you don’t have to defrost everything at once. Place the bread in a zip bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost for 5-10 minutes in the preheated oven (390°F/200°C). 

    Can I omit the garlic? For sure! Top the dough only with a mixture of extra virgin olive oil and herbs. For the classic rosemary focaccia bread, use a handful of dried rosemary and omit the other herbs.

    More Bread Recipes You’ll Love:

    • No-Knead Bread
    • Turkish Pide Bread
    • Homemade Pita Bread
    • Vegan Soft Pretzels

    Did you try this recipe?

    I would love it if you leave me a 5-star rating or comment. This way, I better get to know which recipes you like and can make more of them.

    Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty shiny food pictures! I would be thrilled to welcome you to my community!

    📖 Recipe

    focaccia slices stapled next to a bowl with olive oil

    Focaccia Bread

    Aline Cueni
    Homemade Focaccia Bread with Herbs, Garlic, and Olive Oil! A simple yet delicious Italian bread recipe for every occasion.
    4.75 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Resting Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs
    Course Bread
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 330 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    Dough

    • ⅔ cup (160 ml) warm water
    • 1 tsp instant yeast
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    Topping

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 small garlic clove minced
    • ½ tbsp dried Italian herbs (rosemary, sage, basil, oregano, thyme)
    • sea salt flakes optional

    Instructions
     

    • Mix warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.
    • Mix all-purpose flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add water-yeast-sugar mixture and olive oil and knead for 5-10 minutes at low speed until you have a smooth dough.
    • Grease a large bowl with 1 tsp olive oil, place the dough in it, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
    • Meanwhile, mix olive oil, garlic, and herbs for the topping in a small bowl and set aside.
    • Punch the dough to deflate and place it on a with parchment paper lined baking tray. Stretch and flatten into a rectangle. Push all your fingers a few times deep into the dough for the typical focaccia look. Cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
    • Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Spread with the topping and sprinkle with sea salt flakes (optional). Bake if for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. → Turn 180° in the halftime to allow an even browning.

    Notes

    • Keeps fresh: Focaccia does taste best when fresh. Freeze leftovers.
    • Freeze: Cut the focaccia in small pieces, place them in a zip bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost for 5-10 minutes in the preheated oven (390°F/200°C). 
    • Variations: Omit the garlic or only use rosemary and olive oil for a change.

    Recommended Products

    Measuring Set
    KitchenAid Stand Mixer
    Baking Sheet
    Basting Brush

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Focaccia Bread
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 330 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Sodium 586mg25%
    Potassium 76mg2%
    Carbohydrates 50g17%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 7g14%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 19mg2%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Marjie says

      December 18, 2020 at 2:25 am

      Easy and tasty. My only problem is that the dough stuck to my damp cloth and the dough sunk. I think it made it a little “tougher” texture. Next time I’ll use greased plastic.

      Reply
      • Aline Cueni says

        December 19, 2020 at 10:45 pm

        Hey Marjie, a greased plastic wrap will work too! I hope it will turn out better the next time! 😁

        Reply
    2. Varsha says

      December 02, 2020 at 12:22 am

      Just perfect recipe. I added olives to dough. Tastes wonderful

      Reply
      • Aline Cueni says

        December 03, 2020 at 9:42 am

        So happy you loved the recipe, Varsha! 💕

        Reply

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