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focaccia

focaccia

Focaccia, the perfect soft Italian bread to enjoy warm, easy to make and irresistible for your quick, healthy snack.
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Total Time 1 hour 21 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 185
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cup all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
  • 0.5 teaspoon sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil plus extra for greasing
  • 0.75 cup warm water
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 tablespoon fresh rosemary roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt for topping

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F). Grease a baking pan with olive oil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant dry yeast, sugar, and sea salt.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the warm water. Mix until you get a sticky and cohesive dough.
  4. Knead the dough in the bowl for 5 minutes. It should become smooth but remain a bit tacky.
  5. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes, until doubled in size.
  6. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. With oiled fingertips, gently spread the dough, making dimples with your fingers all over the surface.
  7. Top with cherry tomatoes, rosemary, and sprinkle generously with coarse salt. Drizzle a little more olive oil.
  8. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until golden on top and cooked through.
  9. Let cool slightly, slice into pieces, and enjoy your warm focaccia!

Notes

Focaccia is a beloved Italian bread, prized for its aromatic crust and pillowy interior. Thanks to its versatility, focaccia can be a centerpiece snack, served alongside salads or piled high with toppings for a casual lunch. Its popularity comes not only from its flavor, but from how adaptable and simple it is to make at home.
For an extra fluffy focaccia, always allow enough time for the dough to rise fully — rushing the proofing may yield a denser bread. If your kitchen is chilly, place the bowl inside an off oven with just the light on to create a cozy environment for your yeast.
You can substitute fresh rosemary with thyme, oregano, or even thinly sliced onions for different aromas. Don’t limit yourself to cherry tomatoes; olives, caramelized onions, or thinly sliced potatoes can take your focaccia to new levels. For a richer flavor, swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour.

Practical tips for the perfect result

  • Sift the flour before mixing to ensure a lighter crumb and prevent lumps.
  • Pressing your fingertips into the dough before baking is not just for looks—it creates perfect pockets for olive oil, ensuring a moist and flavorful bread.
  • Be generous with olive oil on both the pan and the top—this encourages a golden, crisp bottom and aromatic crust.

How to serve or vary your focaccia

You can serve focaccia warm, sliced into hearty pieces, or use it as a base for sandwiches with grilled vegetables and cheeses. To create a more festive version, top with a mix of colorful vegetables and flaky sea salt. Try serving it with a simple salad, a bowl of soup, or as a stunning addition to your appetizer table. The best part? Focaccia tastes great even the next day—just reheat in the oven for a few minutes to restore its crispness.
With a few simple touches, your focaccia will become a staple recipe everyone will ask you for!