Fluffy Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe: Bake Like a Pro Today

Soft, pillowy focaccia bread dances with flavor in this simple yet irresistible recipe that brings Italian bakery magic right to your kitchen.

Golden-crusted and herb-infused, this focaccia bread recipe promises a culinary journey that will delight your senses.

Dimpled surfaces capture pools of fragrant olive oil, creating a canvas of deliciousness.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender interior that melts in your mouth.

The aroma of rosemary and sea salt will transport you to sun-drenched Mediterranean landscapes.

Baking this bread becomes an act of love, transforming basic ingredients into a masterpiece of comfort and taste.

Let’s find out this recipe and watch your kitchen fill with warmth and anticipation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s in This Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for your focaccia, selecting unbleached flour ensures a more robust and flavorful bread.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that helps the dough rise and develop those signature airy pockets, best when fresh and stored properly.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps create a smooth, elastic dough that will transform into a delectable bread.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and helps control yeast development in the dough.

• Filippo Berio 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness, moisture, and a luxurious Mediterranean touch to your focaccia.
• Garlic, Finely Minced: Introduces a bold, aromatic punch that infuses the bread with irresistible depth and warmth.
• Rosemary Leaves: Brings a herbaceous, pine-like essence that complements the olive oil and creates an authentic Italian sensory experience.

• Flaky Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Elevates the bread with a delightful crunch and sophisticated flavor contrast, transforming a simple focaccia into a gourmet treat.

Tools to Help You Bake No-Knead Focaccia

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and creating dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate flour, salt, and liquid measurements.
• Kitchen towel: Covers dough during resting periods to prevent drying.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Perfect for shaping and baking focaccia.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients smoothly.
• Olive oil brush or dropper: Great for drizzling and coating dough.
• Cooling rack: Allows bread to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Oven: Needed to bake focaccia at high temperature.

Instructions for Easy Focaccia at Home

• Dough Awakening

Mix flours, yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil, and water in a spacious bowl until a soft, shaggy mixture emerges. This is where magic begins.

• Dough Relaxation

Let the dough rest under a cozy towel for a brief moment, allowing ingredients to mingle and develop flavor.

• Gentle Stretching

Carefully stretch and fold the dough, giving it gentle turns between each fold. The dough will become smoother and more elastic with each movement.

• Flavor Development

Drizzle olive oil over the dough and let it rest peacefully in the refrigerator overnight, allowing complex tastes to develop.

• Pan Preparation

Spread the chilled dough into a generously oiled pan, letting it rise and become wonderfully puffy and soft.

• Flavor Finishing

Create delightful dimples using oiled fingertips, then shower with fragrant garlic-infused olive oil, sprinkle fresh rosemary, and add a touch of sea salt.

• Golden Transformation

Bake in a hot oven until the focaccia turns a beautiful golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Simple Tricks for Better Focaccia Bread

• Experiment with different herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil to create unique flavor profiles that complement the bread's soft texture.
• Prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing for convenient meal planning and enhanced flavor development.
• Get creative with toppings like cherry tomatoes, olives, caramelized onions, or grated parmesan to add extra depth and visual appeal to your focaccia.
• Substitute bread flour and all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
• Serve warm as a side dish, slice for sandwiches, or use as a base for bruschetta – this versatile bread pairs wonderfully with soups, salads, and Mediterranean-inspired meals.

Serving Focaccia for Meals or Snacks

• Rustic Appetizer Platter: Create a stunning Mediterranean-inspired spread by serving slices alongside cured meats, olives, soft cheeses, and roasted red peppers. The focaccia's herbal notes complement these rich, savory companions perfectly.
• Dipping Delight: Transform your bread into an interactive experience by offering small bowls of herb-infused olive oil, balsamic reduction, or creamy garlic aioli. Guests can tear and dip, enjoying complex flavor combinations with each bite.
• Sandwich Transformation: Slice the focaccia horizontally to craft incredible sandwiches filled with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. These gourmet sandwiches elevate simple lunch options into culinary adventures.
• Brunch Companion: Serve warm focaccia alongside scrambled eggs, frittatas, or as a base for eggs Benedict. Its soft, airy texture and herbal hints make it an irresistible breakfast or brunch centerpiece that feels both elegant and comforting.

How to Store Homemade Focaccia Bread

• Bread Freshness Keeper: Store your focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature, enjoying peak flavor within 2-3 days of baking.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and softness if storing beyond 3 days.
• Freezing Technique: Slice the focaccia, place parchment paper between layers, and freeze in a sealed freezer bag for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature and reheat briefly in the oven for crispy edges.
• Reheating Magic: Warm slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore the bread's original crispy texture and fresh-baked warmth.

Rustic Focaccia Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade Italian focaccia bread delivers a rustic, aromatic experience with olive oil-kissed dimpled surfaces. Mediterranean herbs and sea salt create a simple yet sophisticated flavor profile you will savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
• 50 ml (50 g) Filippo Berio 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• 1 tsp (5 g) salt
• 1 tsp (3 g) instant yeast
• Leaves from 1 sprig rosemary
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
• Black pepper for finishing

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Whisk bread flour, all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, granulated sugar, kosher salt, extra virgin olive oil, and lukewarm water in a spacious mixing bowl until a shaggy, wet dough forms.
2. Initial Rest and Folding: Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then perform three gentle stretch and fold cycles, pausing briefly between each rotation to develop gluten structure.
3. Cold Fermentation: Drizzle olive oil over the dough’s surface, cover, and refrigerate for 12-48 hours to enhance flavor complexity and develop robust texture.
4. Proofing Process: Transfer chilled dough to a well-oiled 9×13-inch baking pan, gently spreading into an even rectangular shape. Allow to rise at room temperature for 2-4 hours until noticeably puffy and expanded.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Using oil-coated fingertips, create characteristic dimples across the dough’s surface. Generously drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil, then scatter fresh rosemary leaves and flaky sea salt for aromatic depth.
6. Baking Technique: Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Bake focaccia for 25-30 minutes until a rich golden-brown color emerges with crisp, enticing edges.
7. Finishing and Storage: Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and store loosely covered at room temperature to maintain optimal freshness and texture.

Notes

• Slow Ferment for Flavor: Refrigerating the dough for 12-48 hours develops deep, complex taste and improves bread’s texture, creating more robust flavor profile.
• Master the Stretch and Fold: Gentle folding technique builds gluten structure without aggressive kneading, ensuring soft, airy bread with perfect crumb consistency.
• Oil is Your Friend: Generous olive oil coating prevents sticking, adds rich flavor, and helps create crispy, golden exterior with deliciously crunchy edges.
• Room Temperature Matters: Allowing dough to proof at ambient temperature helps develop natural yeast activity and ensures proper rise for light, pillowy focaccia.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg