Ask Chef Dennis

  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Bread Recipes

Focaccia Bread Recipe

Published: Aug 9, 2024 · Modified: Jun 9, 2025 by Chef Dennis Littley

88
SHARES
Facebook88PinterestFlipboard
Jump to Recipe
Pinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden Image

Our easy-to-make focaccia bread recipe is a delicious treat your whole family will love! Soft and fluffy, topped with flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary leaves, this chewy Italian flatbread will make a delicious addition to just about any occasion.

Slices of the finished focaccia bread recipe with sprig of rosemary on a brown cutting board.


 

You don’t need special baking skills to make this delicious focaccia bread. Whether you’re a seasoned or beginning bread maker, you’ll love how easy it is to make our rosemary focaccia bread recipe.

Slices of the bread on white marble with sprig of rosemary and small bowl of olive oil.

Made with simple ingredients, our easy focaccia bread recipe is one of my favorite bread recipes. I’ve been making this Italian bread since the early days of my cooking career when my adopted Nonna taught me this foolproof recipe.

If you like making homemade bread, make sure to try our homemade naan bread and pita bread recipes.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients
  • Can I add other ingredients?
  • How to Make Focaccia Bread
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Focaccia Bread Recipe
  • Can I add other ingredients?

Ingredients

Ingredients required to make the recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make our easy homemade focaccia bread recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into Everything in its Place.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Can I add other ingredients?

Absolutely. I’m partial to fresh rosemary, but you can use any of your favorite fresh herbs to make the recipe.

You can also top the flatbread with cheery tomatoes, caramelized onions, asparagus, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or shredded parmesan cheese.

If you don’t have flaky sea salt on hand, you can substitute coarse sea salt or kosher salt. If you use fine sea salt or table salt, reduce the amount by half. 

How to Make Focaccia Bread

Follow along with my simple numbered instructions below to see how to make focaccia bread in your own kitchen!

Collage showing how to begin the reicpe.
  • Add the warm water (about 110 degrees F) and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook (or a large mixing bowl and a wooden spoon), and stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle the yeast over the water. Briefly stir to mix the yeast with the water.
  • Let the yeast mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
  • Set the mixer to low speed, and gradually add the all-purpose flour, olive oil, and salt to the bowl.
Collage showing the next steps in the recipe.
  • Increase the speed to medium-low and continue mixing the focaccia dough for 5 minutes.
    *If the dough is too sticky, add an additional ¼ cup flour.
  • Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and shape it into a ball. Add a light coating of olive oil to a large bowl, then place the dough ball in the bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let the dough rise.
    *Place the bowl in a warm place (free of drafts) for the first rise. It should take 45-60 minutes or until it has nearly doubled in size.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured work surface.
  • Roll it out into a ½-inch thick rectangle or large circle. Cover the dough with a damp towel. The second rise will take about 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Collage showing how to finish the recipe.
  • Place the dough on a large baking sheet ( or 9 x 13-inch baking pan) lined with parchment paper, and press it into the bottom of the pan. Use your fingers to make deep indentations over the entire surface of the dough.
  • Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil evenly over the top of the dough, then sprinkle with the fresh rosemary leaves and flaky sea salt.
  • Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the dough is slightly golden and cooked through.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

For a crisper, browned bottom, place the dough directly on a lightly oiled baking sheet.

Hand dipping slice of focaccia into a white bowl of olive oil.

Serve this delicious focaccia bread with a drizzle of olive oil or marinara sauce for dipping, and watch the smiles around your table.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat focaccia bread in the oven to restore its texture.

Recipe FAQs

What is Focaccia bread?

Focaccia is a flat Italian bread similar in style and texture to pizza dough. It’s usually seasoned with olive oil, salt, and herbs, like rosemary. It’s delicious, simply dipped in good olive oil, but it can be topped with various ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, caramelized onions, and asparagus.

What type of flour should I use?

I use all-purpose flour, but you can also use higher-protein bread flour to achieve a slightly chewier texture.

How do I make sure my focaccia is light and airy?

Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. Give the dough enough time to rise, don’t rush the process, and avoid over-kneading. The dimpling process also helps create an airy texture by preventing large air pockets.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Pita bread stacked on a wooden cutting board.
    Pita Bread Recipe
  • Stack of Naan Bread.
    Homemade Naan Bread Recipe
  • loaf of homemade artisan bread on a wooden cutting board
    Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
  • slices of Irish soda bread next to loaf
    Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Slices of focaccia bread with sprig of rosemary on a brown cutting board.

Focaccia Bread Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
Our easy-to-make Focaccia Bread, topped with flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary leaves, is soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy. It's perfect for a family dinner or a fancy dinner party.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Rise Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Bread
Cuisine Italian, Italian – American
Servings 20
Calories 106 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ⅓ cup warm water about 110 degrees F.
  • 2 teaspoon granulated sugar or honey
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast 1 package
  • 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt optional for sprinkling

Instructions
 

  • Add the warm water (about 110 degrees F) and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough attachment, and stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water. Briefly stir to mix the yeast with the water.
    *Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
  • Set the mixer to low speed, and gradually add the all-purpose flour, olive oil and salt.
  • Increase the speed to medium-low, and continue mixing the dough for 5 minutes.
    *If the dough is too sticky add an additional ¼ cup of flour to the dough.
  • Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and shape it into a ball.
  • Add a light coating of olive oil to a large bowl, then place the dough ball in the bowl and cover it with a damp towel.
    Place the bowl in a warm location (free of drafts and let it rise for 45-60 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled in size.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface, and roll it out into a ½-inch thick rectangle or large circle. Cover the dough with a damp towel, and let it rise for another 20 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Place the dough on a large parchment-covered baking sheet ( or 9 x 13-inch baking dish) and press the dough into the pan.
  • Make deep indentations over the entire surface of the dough.
  • Drizzle a tablespoon or two of olive oil evenly over the top of the dough, then sprinkle with the fresh rosemary and flaky sea salt.
  • Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the dough is slightly golden and cooked through.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
    Serve with additional olive oil for dipping.

Notes

Can I add other ingredients?

Absolutely. I’m partial to fresh rosemary, but you can use any of your favorite fresh herbs to make the recipe.
You can also top the flatbread with cheery tomatoes, caramelized onions, asparagus, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or shredded parmesan cheese.
*If you don’t have flaky sea salt on hand, you can substitute coarse sea salt or kosher salt. If you use fine sea salt or table salt, reduce the amount by half. 
 
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat focaccia bread in the oven to restore its texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 234mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 0.3IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Maggie says

    August 24, 2024 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent! Made it with caramelized onions and sliced Kalamata olives. Delicious.
    Thx so much.
    Love your recipes.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      August 25, 2024 at 7:54 am

      Thank you and I’m very happy to hear you made my focaccia and enjoyed it. I love it with caramelized onions and kalamatas too!

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    August 09, 2024 at 3:25 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite!

    Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

More about me →

Fan Favorites

  • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
    Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
  • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
    Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Zesty Glaze
  • shredded cabbage mixed with coleslaw dressing in a glass bowl.
    Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
  • Banana bread sliced on a cutting board.
    Banana Bread Recipe
  • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
    Chicken Parmesan Recipe
  • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
    Baked Chicken Legs

Featured In

Collage showing where Ask Chef Dennis has been featured.

Footer

↑ back to top

INFO

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

SUBSCRIBE

Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-quality recipes!

CONTACT

  • About
  • Contact

© 2009-2025 · Ask Chef Dennis · 30 N. Gould Street, STE 7204, Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801

Proud Member of:
Mediavine Publisher Network

Let's Get Social

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.