Fresh Summer Focaccia Recipe: A Sunny Italian Bread Delight

Summer warmth calls for a rustic summer focaccia bread recipe that bursts with seasonal charm and irresistible flavor.

Golden olive oil glistens across the surface, creating a canvas for vibrant herbs and ripe vegetables.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of crispy edges and soft, pillowy interior.

Fragrant rosemary and sweet cherry tomatoes dance across the dough, creating a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

Simple ingredients combine to craft a bread that speaks of sunshine and relaxed gatherings.

Salt crystals add a delicate crunch that enhances every mouthwatering slice.

Roll up your sleeves and let this focaccia transport you to a sun-drenched Italian hillside with just one bite.

Instructions for Baking Summer Veggie Focaccia

• Dough Preparation

Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a bowl. Add warm water and blend until a soft, sticky mixture forms. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 8-24 hours.

• Bread Shaping

Gently form chilled dough into a round shape. Coat an 8-inch cake pan with olive oil. Place dough in center of pan. Let rest at room temperature for 2 hours until dough expands and fills pan.

• Final Touches

Heat oven to 450°F. Remove pan cover. Drizzle olive oil over dough. Create deep finger indentations across entire surface. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and sea salt.

• Baking

Slide pan into oven. Bake for 22-25 minutes until bread turns golden and develops a crispy exterior. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

Herb, Olive & Topping Tips

• Top the dough with sliced cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced zucchini, or roasted bell peppers before baking for a colorful and nutritious variation.
• Prepare the dough up to 48 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator for maximum convenience and deeper flavor development.
• Slice the focaccia horizontally to create delicious sandwich bread, or serve alongside grilled meats, fresh salads, or as an appetizer with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Serving Focaccia for Lunch, Appetizers, or Sides

• Mediterranean Appetizer Platter: Slice the focaccia into triangles and serve alongside a colorful array of olives, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, and creamy hummus for a stunning starter.
• Picnic Perfect Sandwich Base: Split the focaccia horizontally and layer with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil leaves, and prosciutto for a gourmet sandwich experience that captures summer flavors.
• Wine and Cheese Companion: Cut into small cubes and pair with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio, accompanied by soft goat cheese, camembert, and a light arugula salad for an elegant afternoon snack.
• Summer Bruschetta Platform: Top warm focaccia slices with diced fresh tomatoes, chopped basil, garlic, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a classic Italian-inspired appetizer that celebrates seasonal ingredients.

Storage Plan for Bread That’s Still Soft Tomorrow

• Freshness Window: Enjoy the focaccia within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture. Store at room temperature wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to maintain its soft interior and crispy crust.
• Refrigeration Strategy: When sealed in an airtight container, this summer focaccia stays delicious for up to 4 days. Gentle reheating in the oven will restore its original warmth and crispness.
• Freezing Technique: Cut the bread into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen focaccia remains tasty for approximately 1 month when properly sealed.
• Serving Suggestions: Transform leftover focaccia into delightful croutons for salads or use as a base for mini sandwiches. Slice and toast lightly to revive its original golden-brown charm and enhance its Mediterranean flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient Rundown for Summer Focaccia Bread

• Flour: Provides the structure and foundation of the focaccia, selecting high-protein bread flour ensures a chewy, robust texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Yeast: Magical ingredient that makes the bread rise, choose fresh active dry yeast for best fermentation.
• Water: Activates the yeast and binds ingredients, use warm water around body temperature for optimal activation.

• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and creates a luxurious golden crust, select extra virgin olive oil for maximum taste complexity.

• Oregano, Basil, Sea Salt: Bring vibrant Mediterranean summer notes, use fresh herbs when possible for intense aromatic experience, choose coarse sea salt for delightful crunchy texture.

Tools to Make Golden, Airy Focaccia

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and kneading dough.
• Whisk: Essential for blending flour, salt, and yeast smoothly.
• 8-inch cake pan: Key for shaping and rising the focaccia.
• Plastic wrap: Crucial for covering dough during chilling and rising.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add precise amounts of olive oil and herbs.
• Measuring cups: Accurate for measuring flour and water.
• Oven: Needed to bake the focaccia to golden perfection.

Crispy Summer Focaccia Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rustic summer focaccia bread celebrates Mediterranean flavors with herbed olive oil dough and seasonal vegetable toppings. Fresh ingredients create a delightful canvas you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) warm water
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) olive oil
• 1 ¼ tsps instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tsps dried basil
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt (Maldon salt)

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Pour warm water and stir until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-24 hours to develop complex flavors and texture.
2. Shaping and Initial Rise: Gently shape chilled dough into a ball. Thoroughly oil an 8-inch cake pan and place dough centrally. Cover and allow to rise in a warm location for 2 hours, expanding to fill the pan’s surface.
3. Flavor Infusion: Preheat oven to 450°F. Drizzle additional olive oil over the expanded dough. Use fingertips to create signature focaccia dimples, pressing deliberately across the surface. Evenly sprinkle oregano, basil, and sea salt over the textured landscape.
4. Baking Process: Slide pan into the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. Watch for a transformation to a golden-brown crust with crisp edges, signaling perfect doneness. Remove from oven and let cool briefly before serving.

Notes

• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate dough for 8-24 hours to develop complex, rich taste and improve bread’s texture.
• Warm Rising Spot: Choose a draft-free, warm location around 75-80°F for optimal dough expansion and soft, airy result.
• Oil is Key: Use generous olive oil in pan and on dough surface to achieve crispy, golden exterior and prevent sticking.
• Fingertip Technique: Press fingertips firmly and consistently to create signature focaccia dimples, ensuring even baking and attractive appearance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg