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Homemade Focaccia Bread is a delightful Italian bread that’s soft and fluffy inside, with a crispy golden crust outside. It’s perfect for snacking, dipping, or serving with meals. This easy recipe allows you to create this flavorful bread at home, filling your kitchen with the warm, inviting smell of freshly baked bread.
Why make this recipe
Making homemade focaccia bread is a fun and rewarding experience. The simple ingredients blend together to create a delicious bread that can be customized in many ways. By making it at home, you have full control over the flavors and toppings. It’s great for gatherings, or you can enjoy it just for yourself with a nice bowl of olive oil for dipping.
How to make Homemade Focaccia Bread
Ingredients:
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- Fresh rosemary
- Coarse sea salt for topping
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add the bread flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- After rising, punch down the dough and transfer it to a greased baking sheet. Gently stretch it out to fit the sheet.
- Dimple the surface with your fingers, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with coarse sea salt, and fresh rosemary.
- Let it rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
How to serve Homemade Focaccia Bread
You can serve homemade focaccia bread warm or at room temperature. It’s tasty on its own or can be served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. You can also use it for sandwiches or enjoy it alongside soups and salads.
How to store Homemade Focaccia Bread
To store leftover focaccia bread, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it by wrapping it tightly and placing it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Tips to make Homemade Focaccia Bread
- Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Experiment with different toppings like garlic, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot to help active dry yeast work properly.
- Don’t skip the dimpling step; it allows for perfect pockets for oil and salt.
Variation
You can change up this recipe by adding different herbs or spices, such as thyme or oregano. You can also sprinkle cheese on top before baking for a cheesy focaccia.
FAQs
Q: Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
A: Yes, but the texture may be less chewy compared to bread flour.
Q: How do I know if my yeast is active?
A: If the mixture with warm water and yeast becomes frothy after a few minutes, the yeast is active.
Q: Can I make focaccia bread without rosemary?
A: Absolutely! You can leave it out or substitute it with other herbs or spices you prefer.
Homemade Focaccia Bread
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add the bread flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- After rising, punch down the dough and transfer it to a greased baking sheet. Gently stretch it out to fit the sheet.
- Dimple the surface with your fingers, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with coarse sea salt, and fresh rosemary.
- Let it rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.