The Softest Herb-Infused Focaccia Bread Recipe

Baking fresh focaccia bread at home fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma that instantly warms the heart.

Soft, pillowy focaccia bread recipe speaks to comfort and tradition in every golden, herb-infused bite.

Mediterranean kitchens have perfected this delightful art of creating rustic, dimpled bread that pairs perfectly with almost any meal.

Simple ingredients come together to create something truly magical on your countertop.

The olive oil-kissed surface creates a crispy exterior that gives way to a tender, cloud-like interior.

Herbs and sea salt dance across the top, promising a flavor journey that transports you to sun-drenched Italian landscapes.

You’ll fall in love with how easily this bread transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Baking Instructions for Focaccia Bread

• Dough Preparation

Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a bowl. Blend warm water into the mixture until a soft, sticky dough forms. Cover and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight, allowing flavors to develop and texture to improve.

• Shaping and Rising

Gently form the chilled dough into a smooth ball. Coat an 8-inch cake pan with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage. Center the dough in the pan and let it relax at room temperature until it expands and nearly fills the pan.

• Flavor Infusion

Heat the oven to a high temperature. Drizzle additional olive oil over the dough. Use fingertips to create signature focaccia dimples, pressing deeply into the surface. Scatter oregano, basil, and sea salt across the top for a burst of Mediterranean flavor.

• Baking Magic

Slide the pan into the hot oven. Bake until the bread transforms into a golden, crispy delight with a beautiful crusty exterior. The aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Flavor Additions for Homemade Focaccia

• Replace oregano and basil with rosemary, thyme, or za'atar for an instant flavor transformation that matches your taste preferences.
• Scatter sliced olives, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, or caramelized onions across the dough before baking to create gourmet variations that elevate your bread's taste profile.
• Sprinkle grated parmesan, crumbled feta, or shredded mozzarella on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a melty, irresistible texture that adds richness to your focaccia.
• Wrap cooled focaccia in aluminum foil and store at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze slices for up to one month, ensuring you always have delicious bread ready to enjoy.

Serving Focaccia with Meals or Dips

• Rustic Appetizer Platter: Slice the focaccia into wedges and arrange on a wooden board with an assortment of cured meats, olives, and soft cheeses for a stunning Mediterranean-style starter.
• Sandwich Secret Weapon: Use thick slices as the base for gourmet sandwiches, stuffing them with roasted vegetables, fresh mozzarella, or grilled chicken for an elevated lunch experience.
• Soup and Bread Companion: Tear the focaccia into chunks and serve alongside hearty tomato soup or minestrone, using the bread to soak up rich, flavorful broth and add texture to your meal.
• Brunch Brilliance: Cut into smaller squares and serve with scrambled eggs, herb-infused olive oil, or as a side to frittatas for a delightful weekend breakfast spread.

How to Keep Focaccia Soft and Fresh

• Freshness Guardian: Store your focaccia bread at room temperature, wrapped in a clean kitchen towel or stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain its delightful texture and flavor.
• Freezing Magic: Slice the focaccia and place parchment paper between each piece before freezing in a sealed freezer bag. These bread slices will stay fresh for up to 2 months, ready for quick reheating.
• Revive & Refresh: Bring cold focaccia back to life by warming it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. A quick toast will restore its crispy exterior and soft interior, making it taste freshly baked.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Cut focaccia into smaller portions before storing to make grab-and-go snacks easier. Individual slices work perfectly for lunches, picnics, or quick afternoon nibbles that keep well throughout the week.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Focaccia Bread Ingredient List

• Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for a pillowy, tender focaccia with a delightful chewy texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth, creating a perfectly balanced bread.
• Yeast: The magical ingredient that helps the dough rise and develop a light, airy structure.
• Water: Activates the yeast and binds ingredients, creating a smooth, cohesive dough.

• Olive Oil: Adds rich, silky moisture and creates that signature golden, crispy crust.
• Oregano: Brings a zesty, herbaceous punch that elevates the bread's Mediterranean charm.
• Basil: Introduces a fresh, aromatic note that complements the olive oil beautifully.
• Sea Salt: Provides a delightful crunch and intensifies the overall flavor profile.

• Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to create a tempting, crusty texture and burst of seasoning.

Tools and Trays for Baking Focaccia

• Medium bowl: For mixing flour, salt, yeast, and water to create dough.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
• Plastic wrap: Needed to cover dough during chilling and rising.
• 8-inch cake pan: Perfect for shaping and baking focaccia.
• Oven: Required for baking bread at high temperature.
• Measuring spoons: For accurate olive oil and herb measurements.
• Fingers: Used to create signature focaccia dimples.

Fluffy Focaccia Bread Recipe

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

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Description

Homemade focaccia bread offers a delightful Italian classic with herbs, olive oil, and sea salt creating irresistible flavor layers. Mediterranean ingredients and simple techniques help bakers craft this rustic, aromatic companion to meals and gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

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Instructions

1. Blend Dry Components: Whisk flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
2. Form Dough Base: Integrate warm water into flour mixture, stirring until a soft, tacky dough with a shaggy consistency emerges.
3. Fermentation Process: Seal bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-24 hours, allowing flavor development and gluten relaxation.
4. Shape and Prepare Pan: Gently round the chilled dough and thoroughly coat an 8-inch cake pan with olive oil, positioning the dough centrally.
5. Proofing Stage: Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 2 hours until it expands to nearly fill the pan.
6. Oven Preparation and Dough Enhancement: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C), remove plastic wrap, drizzle additional olive oil over dough, and create signature dimples by pressing fingertips firmly across the entire surface.
7. Seasoning and Baking: Sprinkle dried oregano, basil, and sea salt evenly over textured dough, then bake for 22-25 minutes until achieving a golden-brown color with a crisp exterior.

Notes

• Optimize Refrigeration: Slow-rise technique in the refrigerator develops complex, rich flavors and improves dough texture, so never skip the 8-24 hour cold fermentation period.
• Master the Dimpling Technique: Press fingertips firmly and evenly across the entire dough surface to create authentic focaccia texture, ensuring deep indentations that capture olive oil and herbs.
• Control Hydration Carefully: Soft, tacky dough is crucial; slightly wet consistency guarantees a light, airy interior with crispy exterior when baked correctly.
• Temperature Matters: Use warm water (around 110°F) to activate yeast and ensure proper dough development, and always preheat the oven fully before baking for consistent, golden-brown results.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg