Description
This Easy Focaccia Bread recipe delivers a delightful Italian flatbread with a crispy golden crust and a tender, airy interior. Infused with fragrant fresh rosemary and coarse sea salt, this homemade focaccia is perfect as a side, snack, or base for sandwiches. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s an approachable bread-baking experience for home cooks seeking authentic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons (10g) salt
- 1 3/4 cups (415ml) warm water
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling and greasing
Topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mixing and kneading the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough into an oiled bowl. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shaping and dimpling the focaccia: Grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Gently stretch and press the risen dough to fit the pan’s dimensions. Use your fingertips to make signature dimples evenly all over the dough surface.
- Second rise: Cover the shaped dough loosely and let it rise again for around 30 minutes to become slightly puffy.
- Topping and baking: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle liberally with olive oil, sprinkle coarse sea salt and fresh rosemary leaves on top. Bake the focaccia for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Kneading develops gluten, which is essential for the focaccia’s texture; don’t rush this step.
- You can substitute fresh rosemary with other herbs like thyme or oregano for varied flavors.
- For an even airier crumb, allow the dough to rise a bit longer during the first rise.
- Serve focaccia warm, drizzled with additional olive oil if desired, and pair with dips or as sandwich bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: focaccia, Italian bread, rosemary focaccia, homemade bread, easy focaccia recipe, baking bread, olive oil bread
