The Perfect Fluffy Focaccia Bread Recipe for Beginners

Focaccia bread refines ordinary baking into an effortless culinary adventure for home cooks craving authentic Italian flavors.

Soft, dimpled surfaces invite golden-brown crusts that whisper tales of rustic kitchens and Mediterranean traditions.

Minimal ingredients combine magically, creating a canvas for herbs and olive oil to dance across pillowy textures.

Salt crystals glisten while herbs peek through tender dough landscapes, promising rich, aromatic experiences.

Bubbling surfaces promise delectable results that require zero professional baking skills.

Professional chefs and kitchen novices alike can achieve restaurant-quality results with surprising ease.

Prepare to elevate your bread-making game with this simple, foolproof method.

Tips for Perfecting No-Knead Focaccia Bread

• Master the Stretch and Fold: Develop a gentle technique when stretching and folding the dough to build strength without deflating air pockets, which creates a light, airy texture.
• Embrace Cold Fermentation: Allow the dough to slowly develop complex flavors by refrigerating overnight, enhancing the bread's depth and tangy undertones.
• Create Perfect Dimples: Use oiled fingertips to press soft, even indentations across the surface, ensuring consistent olive oil distribution and classic focaccia appearance.
• Choose High-Quality Olive Oil: Select a premium extra virgin olive oil for drizzling, as it dramatically impacts the bread's overall flavor and richness.
• Control Room Temperature: Keep the rising dough in a warm, draft-free area to help it develop optimal volume and soft, pillowy texture.

How to Store Leftover No-Knead Focaccia Bread

• Refrigeration: Wrap the focaccia bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
• Reheating: Revive the bread's crispy texture by warming it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. Lightly spritz with water before reheating to prevent dryness and restore its original softness. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the bread tough and chewy.
• Freezing: Slice the focaccia and place parchment paper between each slice. Wrap securely in freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Best Pairings for Focaccia Bread

• Pair with Mediterranean Mezze: Complement the focaccia's herbal notes with a vibrant spread of hummus, tzatziki, marinated olives, and roasted red pepper dip for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.
• Wine and Dine Combo: Enjoy this rustic bread with a crisp, dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc, which will cut through the bread's richness and enhance its herbal rosemary flavor.
• Soup Sidekick Supreme: Serve alongside a hearty tomato basil soup or creamy roasted garlic soup, using the focaccia to soak up the delicious broth and create a comforting meal that warms your soul.
• Charcuterie Board Companion: Create a stunning appetizer spread by slicing the focaccia and pairing it with various cured meats, soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, and a small dish of high-quality olive oil for dipping.

Creative Twists on Classic Focaccia Bread

• Mediterranean Magic: Swap rosemary for oregano and add crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle kalamata olives on top for an authentic Greek-inspired focaccia that transports you to sunny Mediterranean shores.
• Spicy Herb Sensation: Mix in red pepper flakes and chopped fresh basil. Top with sun-dried tomatoes and grated parmesan for a zesty bread that packs a flavor punch.
• Caramelized Onion Comfort: Slowly caramelize sweet onions and spread across the dough before baking. Scatter fresh thyme leaves for an aromatic, rich version that elevates the classic recipe with deep, complex flavors.
• Harvest Hearth: Incorporate roasted butternut squash chunks and sage leaves into the dough. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top for a rustic, autumn-inspired focaccia that celebrates seasonal ingredients.

Easy Focaccia Bread (No Knead): Soft, Simple, and Perfect

• Hands-Free Dough Magic: Discover an effortless bread-making method that requires zero kneading, perfect for novice bakers seeking a stress-free culinary adventure.
• Flavor-Packed Texture Adventure: Enjoy a crispy exterior with soft, airy interior that delivers restaurant-quality focaccia right from your home oven, guaranteed to impress family and friends.
• Flexible Prep Superstar: Embrace the convenience of an overnight refrigerator rest that develops complex flavors and allows ultimate flexibility in your cooking schedule, making delicious bread fitting seamlessly into busy lifestyles.

Key Ingredients for Making No-Knead Focaccia Bread

• Bread Flour: Strong protein content for chewy, structured bread texture with excellent rise.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides additional structure and helps create balanced bread consistency.

• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for bread fermentation and creating light, airy texture.
• Sugar: Helps activate yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the bread.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth.

• Water: Creates dough hydration and helps develop gluten structure.
• Olive Oil, Garlic Olive Oil: Adds richness, moisture, and deep flavor to the focaccia.

• Rosemary: Fresh herb that provides aromatic and traditional Mediterranean flavor.
• Sea Salt: Coarse salt for enhancing crust texture and adding finishing flavor punch.

How to Make Fluffy, No-Knead Focaccia Bread

Step 1: Let Dough Rest

Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Stretch and Fold Technique

Perform stretch and fold method: stretch the dough, fold it over, and turn the bowl. Repeat this process 3 times, allowing 2-minute breaks between each fold.

Step 3: Refrigerate Overnight

Drizzle olive oil over the dough, cover, and refrigerate for 12-48 hours to develop flavor.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Pan

Transfer the chilled dough to a generously oiled 9×13-inch baking pan. Shape into a rectangular form and let rise uncovered for 2-4 hours until puffy and expanded.

Step 5: Preheat Oven

Set oven temperature to 450°F (230°C).

Step 6: Add Toppings

Use oiled fingers to create dimples across the dough’s surface. Drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil, sprinkle fresh rosemary, and add sea salt.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the focaccia turns golden brown. Allow to cool completely before slicing. Store at room temperature with loose covering.

Focaccia Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Homemade focaccia bread delivers Mediterranean comfort with minimal effort. Fragrant rosemary, olive oil, and sea salt create a rustic Italian experience you’ll savor from first warm slice to last crispy bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (350 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
• 1 teaspoon (3 grams) instant yeast

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) warm water
• 50 milliliters (50 grams) Filippo Berio 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Finishing/Topping Ingredients:

• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• Leaves from 1 sprig rosemary
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
• Black pepper for finishing

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Instructions

1. Combine bread flour, all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, granulated sugar, kosher salt, extra virgin olive oil, and lukewarm water in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently blend ingredients until a shaggy, wet dough emerges.
2. Allow the mixture to rest, covered with a clean kitchen towel, for a brief 5-minute interval.
3. Execute a series of gentle stretch and fold techniques, rotating the bowl after each fold. Perform this sequence three times, inserting 2-minute resting periods between each folding cycle.
4. Generously coat the dough’s surface with additional extra virgin olive oil, then seal and transfer to the refrigerator for a slow fermentation lasting 12-48 hours.
5. Remove dough from refrigerator and carefully transfer to a well-oiled 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan. Carefully spread and shape the dough into an even rectangular form.
6. Allow the dough to proof at room temperature, uncovered, for 2-4 hours until it becomes noticeably puffy and expanded.
7. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C), positioning the rack in the middle position.
8. Using oil-coated fingertips, create distinctive dimples across the dough’s surface. Drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil, then sprinkle with fresh rosemary leaves and flaky sea salt.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the focaccia develops a rich golden-brown color and crisp edges.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Store loosely covered at room temperature for optimal freshness.

Notes

• Cold fermentation develops complex, rich flavors throughout the dough, allowing gluten to relax and improve texture.
• Overnight resting transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated bread with minimal hands-on preparation time.
• Extra olive oil ensures crispy, golden edges and prevents sticking while creating a tender, moist interior.
• Gentle stretching and folding technique builds strength without aggressive kneading, perfect for novice bakers.
• Room temperature rising allows natural yeast activation and creates beautiful, airy texture with characteristic focaccia bubbles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 0mg (varies with optional salt)
• Fat: 50g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 43g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg