Go Back

Easy Focaccia Bread

Jen Paleracio
No-fuss focaccia bread. Soft chewy with herbs and tomato slices, drizzled with olive oil.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking pan
  • Standing mixer with a hook attachment (option)
  • Bowls

Ingredients
  

FOR THE DOUGH

  • 4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour, more for dusting
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 packet (0.25 oz.) dry instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup warm water, 100ºF

FOR THE DRIED HERBS AND TOPPINGS

  • 1 tomato, sliced
  • 4 stalks flatly parsley,
  • 1 sprig rosemary, tear the leaves from the stem
  • 3 sprigs thyme, pull leaves from the stems
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes

Instructions
 

FOR THE DOUGH

  • In the mixing bowl, add warm water, yeast, and sugar. Mix until combined, set aside for 10 minutes, or until it's foamy.
  • Use the hook attachment for your mixer, add the flour gradually to the yeast mixture. Mix for 5-8 minutes or until the dough comes together. Add olive oil, mix to combine. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl.
  • Lightly flour a surface, knead the dough for 10 minutes or until smooth. Form the dough into a ball. Lightly grease a bowl, place the dough into the bowl, cover with a kitchen towel.
  • Place the dough in a warm area of your house, let rise for an hour or until it double the size. Grease a 9x13 baking pan. After proofing the dough, dump into a prepared pan. Spread and stretch the dough to cover the whole pan.

FOR THE SEASONINGS AND TOPPINGS BEFORE BAKING

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Use your fingers to poke the dough to mark indentations, this way the seasonings and oil can soak in the dough.
  • Season with salt, red chili pepper flakes, herbs, and brush with oil. Place the tomato slices, parsley stems, leaves, and fresh herbs on top to form a flower design.
  • Cover the prepared dough with a kitchen towel. Let rise for 30 minutes before baking. When ready, bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Notes

  • You can use any veggies to design your focaccia. Caramelized onions and cheese are great options. 
  • Don't overwork and overbake the dough, they tend to get tough and not as soft. 
  • You can also make a sauce to top your focaccia dough, it's like eating pizza - if that's what you like. 
  • Make sure to use a good kind of olive oil. 
Keyword baking, bread, focaccia, olive oil, tomatoes