Simple Focaccia Bread

Olivia Morgan

May 28, 2025

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Simple Focaccia Bread

Focaccia bread is a delightful treat that fills your home with an enchanting aroma. It’s soft, slightly chewy, and has a golden crust that beckons you to take a bite. Each piece is infused with wonderful flavors from olive oil and punctuated with herbs. It’s an inviting bread that is incredibly easy to make. Imagine tearing off a warm piece and enjoying it with olive oil for dipping. Brace yourself for a simple yet rewarding baking experience! 🌿 #FocacciaBread #BakingAtHome

Making simple focaccia bread at home is not just a cooking task, but an exciting adventure! As you prepare, the flour combines with the yeast, sugar, and salt, creating a soft dough that holds fantastic promise. The moment you stretch this dough into a pan, it’s like painting a masterpiece, ready for a sprinkle of flaky salt and fresh rosemary.

When it comes out of the oven, your kitchen will be filled with a welcoming scent. This simple focaccia bread recipe gives you a fluffy, airy loaf that’s the perfect addition to meals or just for snacking. Enjoy the lovely texture and taste that you can create using just a few ingredients. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your family and friends!

Why Make This Recipe

You will love making this simple focaccia bread for so many reasons:

Easy to Follow: The steps are straightforward, making it perfect for beginners.
Few Ingredients: With basic pantry staples, you can create a delicious homemade bread.
Customizable: Personalize your focaccia by adding toppings like olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or your favorite herbs.
Perfect for Any Meal: It pairs well with soups, salads, or can simply be enjoyed on its own.
Great for Sharing: This bread is always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings or family dinners.

How to Make Simple Focaccia Bread

Making simple focaccia bread is a simple process that yields satisfying results. You will mix your dough, allow it to rise, and bake it to perfection. Here’s how you can prepare it at home!

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour (500g; spooned and levelled)
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 ¾ cups warm water (around 110°F)
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for your hands)
Flaky sea salt (for garnishing)
Fresh or dried rosemary (for garnishing)

Directions:

Step 1: In a stand mixer bowl, mix together the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm water and mix with a dough hook on medium speed – or knead by hand – for 5-7 minutes. The dough is quite sticky, so I prefer mechanical kneading.
Step 2: Grease a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1 to 2 hours).
Step 3: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Gently scrape the dough into the pan. Use your hands to stretch/press it to the edges. If it pulls back, wait 10 minutes and stretch again. Cover and let it rise again until puffy (another 45 minutes).
Step 4: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Rub your hands with oil and press your fingers into the dough all over to make dimples. Sprinkle with flaky salt and rosemary.
Step 5: At this point, you can bake the focaccia right away, or let it rest for up to 4 more hours. The longer you rest it, the airier it will become.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 425°F for at least 15 minutes. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool slightly before cutting.

Tools You’ll Need

Stand mixer or mixing bowl
Dough hook or hands for kneading
Measuring cups and spoons
Plastic wrap
9×13-inch baking pan
Oven

How to Serve Simple Focaccia Bread

This delicious focaccia is perfect on its own or served with various dishes. You can slice it to accompany soups, salads, or sandwiches. Drizzling it with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar makes a great dipping option. You can also toast it and use it as a base for bruschetta or serve it with hummus for a tasty snack.

How to Store Simple Focaccia Bread

To store your focaccia bread, let it cool completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It should stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When you’re ready, thaw it at room temperature and warm it in the oven for the best texture!

Tips to Make Simple Focaccia Bread

Use Quality Ingredients: Since this bread has few ingredients, using high-quality olive oil and fresh flour makes a noticeable difference.
Don’t Rush the Rising: Let the dough rise fully for the best texture. Warm environments can help speed this up.
Experiment with Toppings: Don’t hesitate to try different herbs, spices, or toppings for a unique flavor each time.

Variation (if any)

You can make this simple focaccia bread your own by adding ingredients. Try including olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or garlic to the dough before the first rise. Consider using different herbs like thyme or basil as toppings based on your preference. You could even switch the olive oil for garlic-infused oil for an extra kick!

FAQs

1. Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, you can use active dry yeast, but you may need to activate it in warm water with sugar before mixing it with the flour.

2. What if my dough doesn’t rise properly?

If your dough doesn’t rise, ensure your yeast is fresh and your warm water is not too hot. It’s essential that the water temperature is around 110°F to activate the yeast.

3. Can I make focaccia ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise overnight in the fridge. Just allow it to come to room temperature before baking.

Personal Cook’s Note

Baking simple focaccia bread is a lovely ritual for me. I remember the first time I made it, my kitchen felt like a warm, inviting bakery. Now, every time I make it, I enjoy the process even more! It’s a wonderful way to unwind after a day. I love to experiment with new toppings based on what I have on hand. I encourage you to try this recipe and share your experiences with me. What toppings did you choose? Happy baking!

Simple Focaccia Bread

Author: earthsea
Total Time: 85 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A delightful focaccia bread that is soft, slightly chewy, and infused with flavors from olive oil and herbs, perfect for any meal or as a snack.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups all-purpose flour (500g; spooned and leveled)
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 ¾ cups warm water (around 110°F)
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for your hands)
Flaky sea salt (for garnishing)
Fresh or dried rosemary (for garnishing)

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Instructions

In a stand mixer bowl, mix together the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm water and mix with a dough hook on medium speed or knead by hand for 5-7 minutes.
Grease a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1 to 2 hours).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Gently scrape the dough into the pan and stretch it to the edges. If it pulls back, wait 10 minutes and stretch again. Cover and let it rise again until puffy (another 45 minutes).
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Rub your hands with oil and press your fingers into the dough all over to make dimples. Sprinkle with flaky salt and rosemary.
Preheat the oven to 425°F for at least 15 minutes. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool slightly before cutting.