There’s something magical about warm, freshly baked focaccia bread that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. This homemade focaccia recipe is simple enough for beginners and offers a delightful way to elevate your meals. Whether you’re enjoying it as a side dish or using it for sandwiches, this bread is sure to impress your family and friends.
Imagine slicing into a soft, pillowy focaccia topped with aromatic herbs and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s not just bread; it’s an experience that brings people together. This recipe is easy to follow, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, making it perfect for any occasion.
What I love about this focaccia is its versatility. You can infuse it with various toppings like olives, cherry tomatoes, or even caramelized onions. Each variation adds a unique twist, ensuring that no two loaves are ever the same.
Experience the Essence of Focaccia Bread
Focaccia bread has a unique charm that enchants everyone who has the pleasure of tasting it. The aroma of freshly baked focaccia wafting through your kitchen can create an inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal addition to any meal.
This bread stands out due to its airy texture and rich flavor, a result of a straightforward fermentation process. As you cut into its golden crust, the soft interior beckons you to savor each bite, whether enjoyed alongside your favorite soup or as a standalone snack drizzled with olive oil.
Ingredients That Make a Difference
Creating focaccia at home requires a handful of simple ingredients that contribute to its exceptional taste. The combination of all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar lays the foundation for the dough, while instant yeast gives it the lift needed to achieve that fluffy texture.
Adding extra virgin olive oil not only enhances the flavor but also enriches the dough, resulting in a delightful crispy finish. Fresh rosemary and coarse sea salt are traditional toppings that elevate the focaccia, bringing an aromatic touch that complements the bread beautifully.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Focaccia
The process of making focaccia is straightforward and can be broken down into a few simple steps. Start by combining your dry ingredients in a large bowl, ensuring an even distribution of the salt, sugar, and yeast.
Next, incorporate warm water and olive oil, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Kneading the dough for about five minutes is essential to develop the gluten, resulting in a smooth texture. Allowing the dough to rise in a warm place is crucial, as it nearly doubles in size, creating that airy structure synonymous with focaccia.
Shaping and Topping Your Focaccia
Once your dough has risen, it’s time to shape it. Gently deflate the dough and transfer it to a greased baking sheet. Using your fingers, create dimples across the surface, which will later hold your toppings and olive oil.
Drizzling olive oil over the top, followed by a generous sprinkle of fresh rosemary and sea salt, adds flavor and enhances the visual appeal of the focaccia. Allowing it to rest again before baking ensures the dough continues to rise slightly, resulting in a light and airy loaf.
Baking to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare for the magic to happen. Baking the focaccia for about 20-25 minutes transforms the dough into a golden masterpiece with a crispy crust.
Once removed from the oven, let the focaccia cool slightly before slicing. The irresistible aroma will surely tempt you to tear off a piece immediately, revealing the warm, pillowy interior that awaits.
Serving Suggestions for Your Focaccia
Focaccia bread is wonderfully versatile, making it a delightful addition to various meals. Serve it warm with a small bowl of olive oil for dipping, enhancing its flavor profile even further.
It can also serve as an excellent side dish for salads and soups, or be used as a base for sandwiches, showcasing its adaptability in the kitchen. Feel free to experiment with different toppings and fillings, allowing each loaf of focaccia to be a unique creation.
Delicious Homemade Focaccia Bread
This focaccia bread is characterized by its airy texture and rich flavor, achieved through a simple fermentation process. The golden crust and soft interior make it a perfect accompaniment to soups, salads, or a standalone snack, drizzled with olive oil.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- Fresh rosemary leaves for topping
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.
- Mix the Dough: Add warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead and Rise: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a baking sheet or pan with olive oil. Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and transfer to the prepared pan. Spread it out using your fingers to create dimples.
- Add Toppings: Drizzle the surface with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh rosemary, and coarse sea salt. Let it rest for another 20-30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Rising Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 8 slices
- Calories: 180kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
