Focaccia: Delicious and Easy Homemade Bread
This easy and delicious homemade bread will wow everyone! Learn how to make focaccia in just a few simple steps.
Want to impress dinner guests? Or your husband? Or yourself? 😉 Whip up a batch of homemade bread to go with that late summer salad. Or use it to top off your hearty fall soups. Or, if you’re like me and always trying to entertain three children, make it with your kids one afternoon and use it for sandwiches throughout the week. I’m telling y’all, this focaccia is ah-mazing and oh-SO-easy to make!
It really is so simple. You do have to plan ahead because it takes 2 hours to rise, but it only takes about 10 minutes of actual work. You proof the yeast (don’t worry – directions are below!), mix together three more ingredients, let rise, and bam.
Delicious, crispy (but not crunchy!) golden goodness.
The inside is rich and soft without being too doughy…
And the flaky outside is perfect topped with a little sea salt or rosemary.
It also makes an awesome pizza crust.
Plus, as a bonus, the recipe can easily be doubled for company.
If you’ve never made bread before, don’t be intimidated… but do be prepared to impress people; they’ll never know how easy it was! 🙂
Focaccia: Delicious and Easy Homemade Bread
Ingredients
- 1 t yeast equal to one packet of the self-rising or quick-rise yeast from the store
- 1 1/2 c warm water
- 3 3/4 c flour
- 1/8 c olive oil
- 1/2 T salt
- optional: sea salt rosemary, or other fresh herbs to top it off
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, proof the yeast in the warm water (explanation below).
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Add flour, olive oil, and salt; mix until combined and let rise in mixing bowl 1 hour.
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Press into baking pan (I just make a flat, round loaf on a cookie sheet) and let rise 1 hour.
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Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes.
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optional: top with sea salt, rosemary, or other herbs while still hot
Recipe Notes
To proof yeast: mix packet of yeast into warm water and stir slightly. Wait and watch until yeast begins multiplying (it looks like a bubble of dough rising to the surface and growing as other bubbles appear next to it). If your yeast does not “proof” within a minute or two, add a teaspoon of sugar and give it a few more minutes.
To speed up rising time: place mixing bowl or baking sheet on top of (NOT IN!) a warm oven or place by a warm window. A little heat will make the dough rise more quickly.
To use as pizza dough, follow steps 1-3 (pressing especially firmly into your pizza pan), then add toppings as desired. Bake until cheese is bubbling and crust is lightly brown, ~20-25 minutes. One recipe will make 2 small to medium pizzas (depending on how thick you make your crust).
MORE SIMPLE and DELICIOUS FAMILY MEALS:
I’m impressed….and hungry! This looks delicious and your pics are beautiful 🙂
Thank you so much, Kat! You are so kind!!
This looks really good and easy….so just to confirm, I don’t have to knead the dough right? Just mix it together and let it rise??
Thanks, Danielle! And that’s right. You’ll find that it’s a pretty thick and sticky mixture, so it’s a bit like kneading when you mix it, but there is no need to really work the dough. Once it’s all mixed, just let it rise! 🙂
CAN I MAKE THE FOCACIA BREAD WITH WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR?
That’s a great question, Karen! I have subbed part of the flour for whole wheat before, but never the full amount. It does make the recipe a bit denser, but it still tastes delicious. I would try to use at least 1/2 white flour so the bread doesn’t get too heavy. I hope this helps!