If you’ve ever wanted to fill your kitchen with the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread without needing any special equipment or advanced prep, this Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread is your new go-to recipe. Imagine golden, olive oil-soaked bread with a crispy edge and a pillowy-soft crumb, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fragrant rosemary. In just a couple of hours, you can pull a beautiful, impressive loaf straight from your oven—one that’s every bit as good as any bakery version. This is the kind of bread that brings people together, so let’s get baking!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread lies in its humble, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, building the structure, flavor, and signature richness of this Italian classic. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your focaccia, providing that soft-yet-chewy structure.
- Sugar: Just a tablespoon wakes up the yeast and gives the bread those subtly sweet, well-rounded flavors.
- Salt: Essential for flavor—don’t skimp! It balances the bread and brings everything alive.
- Instant yeast: The shortcut to a reliable rise and an airy crumb with very little effort.
- Warm water (110°F): Helps the yeast activate quickly for a plush, pillowy dough.
- Olive oil (plus more for drizzling): The soul of focaccia, giving the loaf its golden crust and deep, delicious flavor.
- Flaky sea salt: Those irresistible salty pops on top make every bite craveable.
- Chopped fresh rosemary (optional): Swirl in a little herbal magic, or swap for your favorite fresh herbs.
How to Make Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread
Step 1: Mix Up the Dough
Start by gathering a large mixing bowl and adding your flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Give this dry mixture a quick toss with a spoon or your hand—no stand mixer needed! Next, pour in that warm (not hot) water and the olive oil. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to stir until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. The dough will look loose and a little messy, but that’s exactly what you want for this no-knead recipe.
Step 2: Let It Rise
Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel to keep in the warmth and prevent the dough from drying out. Set it somewhere cozy (the kitchen counter works perfectly) and let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours. You’re looking for it to double in size and become delightfully bubbly on top—this is where the flavor and airiness start to develop in your Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread.
Step 3: Shape and Second Rise
Time for the magic moment! Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with olive oil—don’t be shy, a well-oiled pan is the secret to that signature crunchy bottom. With well-oiled hands, gently tip the dough into the pan. Ease it out to the edges without deflating it, then cover the pan and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise gives your focaccia its light interior.
Step 4: Dimple and Top
Preheat your oven to 425°F. This is where you get to really play: drizzle the dough’s surface generously with extra olive oil, then use your fingers to make deep, playful dimples all over. Press almost to the bottom! Next, shower the top with flaky sea salt and, if you love herbs, scatter over the rosemary. These finishing touches add both flavor and that signature focaccia look.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into your hot oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is gloriously golden brown and the edges are crisp. Once it’s done, let your Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread cool slightly before slicing. This allows the crumb to set and makes cutting clean, neat pieces a breeze.
How to Serve Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread
Garnishes
After baking, you can take your focaccia game to the next level with extra touches. Try a fresh drizzle of olive oil, more flaky sea salt, or a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs. A light dusting of Parmesan or a handful of toasted seeds makes every piece just a little bit special.
Side Dishes
Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread is perfect on its own but absolutely shines alongside a big Italian salad, bowls of soup, or a cheese and charcuterie board. Dip it in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, use it to scoop up saucy pasta, or pair with your favorite antipasto for a true Italian feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or family dinners, try cutting your focaccia into hearty strips for dunking, or use a cookie cutter for fun shapes if you’re making it with kids. This bread also becomes a rustic sandwich base—just slice horizontally and stuff with roasted veggies, cheese, or grilled chicken for a memorable meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers of your Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread, just let it cool completely before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for about 2 days—though it’s usually so irresistible, it disappears long before then!
Freezing
Focaccia freezes beautifully. Cut it into pieces, wrap each one individually, and place them inside a freezer bag. This way, you can grab a slice or two whenever a carb craving strikes. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months, retaining that lovely crunchy-meets-tender texture.
Reheating
To rekindle that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, reheat your Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes right on the rack. For a quick fix, pop a piece in the toaster oven. Avoid the microwave—it can make this bread chewy instead of crisp.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Absolutely! Just dissolve active dry yeast in the warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy before mixing with your other ingredients. The rise time may be slightly longer, but your Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread will still come out delicious.
How can I make my focaccia extra soft inside?
For an especially pillowy crumb, don’t overmix or overwork the dough, and be generous with olive oil in the pan. Also, avoid letting it overbake—pull it out as soon as the top is golden and the edges have a slight crisp.
Can I add toppings other than rosemary?
Definitely! Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread is a great canvas. Scatter over sliced olives, cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, or even thinly sliced garlic before baking for lots of flavor and color. Feel free to get creative and personalize it.
Why dimple the dough before baking?
Those playful finger dimples aren’t just for looks—they help create little “pools” to catch olive oil and toppings. This classic step ensures your focaccia develops a beautifully textured top and lets the oils seep deep into the bread.
Can I make Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread gluten free?
Yes, you can swap in a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The dough will be a bit different in texture, so you may need to experiment with water ratios, but the method and joy of homemade focaccia still hold up!
Final Thoughts
Few things are as soul-satisfying as tearing into a warm piece of Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread, especially when you’ve made it yourself. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a staple in your home—even first-timers find it hard to resist this flavorful, forgiving bread. Give it a try and let the baking adventure begin!
Print
Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 focaccia (12 pieces) 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to make a delicious Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread that’s perfect for any occasion. This simple recipe yields a classic Italian bread with a crispy crust and soft interior, infused with the flavors of olive oil, sea salt, and rosemary.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 ¾ cups warm water (110°F)
- ¼ cup olive oil
Topping:
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add water and olive oil, mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Rise: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours until doubled.
- Prepare Pan: Grease a baking pan with olive oil.
- Shape Dough: Transfer dough to the pan, stretch it gently to the edges.
- Rise Again: Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Preheat and Top: Preheat oven to 425°F. Drizzle dough with olive oil, dimple the surface, sprinkle with salt and rosemary.
- Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Cool slightly, slice, and serve.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings with herbs, olives, tomatoes, or onions.
- For a crispier bottom, add extra olive oil to the pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
