Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe

The irresistible aroma of Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe fresh from the oven is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. This Italian flatbread, with its crispy exterior and pillowy soft interior, transforms any meal into a special occasion. Dimpled with tiny pools of olive oil and flecked with sea salt, focaccia bread delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that’s surprisingly simple to achieve at home. You’ll learn how to create bakery-quality focaccia bread with minimal effort, using basic pantry ingredients and no special equipment. This Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe is perfect for both novice bakers and experienced bread makers alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe will quickly become your go-to bread for any occasion. The beauty lies in its simplicity—you don’t need bread-making expertise or fancy equipment to achieve spectacular results. The contrast between the golden, crispy crust and the airy, tender crumb creates a textural masterpiece that’s impossible to resist.

What makes this focaccia bread special is the perfect balance of olive oil and sea salt that creates those signature crispy edges while maintaining a moist, fluffy interior. Each bite delivers a satisfying chew followed by delicate softness.

The hands-on time is minimal—most of the process involves waiting as the dough does its magic. This makes it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want homemade bread without the fuss. Plus, the versatility of this Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe means you can customize it with various toppings to complement any meal, from a simple dinner to an elaborate feast.

Ingredients

To make this Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe, you’ll need:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour – provides the structure for your bread
• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt – enhances flavor throughout the dough
• 2 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast – allows for a reliable rise without proofing
• 2 cups (470ml) warm water (around 100°F/38°C) – activates the yeast and forms the dough
• ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling – creates flavor and the signature crispy texture
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30g) coarse sea salt for topping – adds the classic salty crunch
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (optional) – provides aromatic flavor
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) garlic-infused olive oil (optional) – adds depth of flavor

The quality of your olive oil matters significantly in this focaccia bread recipe, as its flavor will shine through in the finished product. Opt for a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results.

Pro Tips

Select the Right Pan: For perfect focaccia bread, use a standard 13×9-inch rimmed baking sheet or a 9×13-inch cake pan. The rim ensures your dough maintains its shape and thickness as it rises and bakes.

Master the Dimpling Technique: The signature dimples in focaccia bread aren’t just decorative—they serve a crucial purpose. When creating them, wet your fingertips first to prevent sticking, then press firmly into the dough almost to the bottom of the pan. These dimples prevent the dough from rising unevenly and create perfect pockets for olive oil to pool, resulting in that characteristic crispy-yet-tender texture.

Allow Proper Proofing Time: Patience is key to developing flavor in your Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe. Cold fermentation in the refrigerator for 8-24 hours allows the yeast to work slowly, developing complex flavors that you simply can’t rush. If your kitchen is particularly warm, the refrigerator method is even more important to prevent over-proofing. You’ll know the dough is properly proofed when it’s doubled in size and feels pillowy and bubbly.

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast, stirring to distribute evenly. Pour in the warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until no dry flour remains and a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Don’t worry about kneading—this Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe uses a no-knead technique that develops gluten during the resting period. The dough will look quite wet and rough at this stage, which is exactly what you want.

Step 2: First Rise
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1 hour. The dough should expand noticeably but won’t quite double in size yet. This initial rise kicks off the fermentation process that will develop the focaccia bread‘s flavor and structure.

Step 3: Cold Fermentation
After the initial rise, refrigerate the covered dough for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. This slow, cold fermentation is the secret to developing exceptional flavor in your focaccia bread. The dough will continue to rise slowly and develop a more complex taste profile during this time.

Step 4: Prepare the Pan
When you’re ready to bake, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into your baking pan, ensuring it coats the bottom evenly. Take the dough from the refrigerator and transfer it to the oiled pan. Gently stretch it toward the edges without tearing. If the dough resists stretching, let it rest for 10-15 minutes to relax the gluten, then continue.

Step 5: Second Rise and Dimpling
Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature until puffy and doubled in size, about 1-2 hours depending on your kitchen’s warmth. When the dough looks pillowy, remove the plastic wrap, drizzle the top with the remaining olive oil, and create the signature dimples by pressing your fingertips deeply into the dough.

Step 6: Add Toppings and Bake
Sprinkle the dimpled dough with coarse sea salt and rosemary if using. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake your focaccia bread for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crisp. The internal temperature should reach about 200°F (93°C) when fully baked. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to prevent sogginess.

Variations

Mediterranean Focaccia: Transform your basic Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe into a meal-worthy treat by adding Mediterranean toppings before baking. Press halved cherry tomatoes, pitted olives, and crumbled feta into the dimpled dough, then sprinkle with dried oregano. This variation creates a beautiful presentation and infuses the focaccia bread with bright, savory flavors that complement the olive oil base.

Herb and Garlic Focaccia: For an aromatic twist, mix 3-4 minced garlic cloves with your olive oil before drizzling it over the dough. Add a combination of chopped fresh herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary, pressing them gently into the dimples. The herbs will become slightly crisp while the garlic infuses the entire focaccia bread with its flavor during baking.

Whole Wheat Focaccia: For a heartier, more nutritious version, replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. You may need to add an extra 2-3 tablespoons of water as whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture. This creates a focaccia bread with a nuttier flavor and more substantial texture while still maintaining the classic crispy-soft contrast.

Storage and Serving

Your Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe is at its absolute best when enjoyed fresh from the oven, but proper storage can maintain its quality for several days. Store completely cooled focaccia bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen pieces directly in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and re-crisped.

Serve your focaccia bread as an impressive appetizer by cutting it into squares and pairing it with a small bowl of extra virgin olive oil infused with balsamic vinegar and herbs for dipping. For a heartier option, slice it horizontally and use it as the foundation for gourmet sandwiches—the olive oil-infused bread eliminates the need for additional spread.

Transform your focaccia bread into a satisfying meal by topping warm slices with a generous spoonful of burrata cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil. The contrast between the warm, crispy bread and the creamy cheese creates an unforgettable taste experience.

FAQs

Can I make this focaccia bread without letting it rest overnight?
While the Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe yields the best flavor with an overnight refrigeration, you can make a quicker version by allowing the dough to rise at room temperature for 3-4 hours instead. The flavor won’t be as developed, but you’ll still get a delicious result.

Why is my focaccia bread dense instead of airy?
Dense focaccia bread usually results from insufficient proofing time or overworking the dough. Make sure you’re allowing enough time for both rises and handling the dough gently when transferring it to the pan to preserve air bubbles.

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast in this Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe, but you’ll need to activate it first. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding to the dry ingredients.

Is it necessary to refrigerate the dough?
Refrigeration develops flavor through slow fermentation and makes the dough easier to handle. For the best focaccia bread, don’t skip this step if possible.

Can I add the toppings before the second rise?
It’s best to add toppings after the second rise and dimpling, just before baking. This ensures they don’t inhibit the rise and also prevents herbs from browning too much during baking.

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