If you have ever wanted to impress friends or family with fresh, irresistible bread without spending hours in the kitchen, this Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe is your new best friend. It’s light, airy, and bursting with flavor from the olive oil and sea salt, perfectly crispy on the outside and pillowy soft inside. Whether you’re a novice baker or just short on time, this focaccia brings warmth and charm to any meal with very little effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential, each playing a crucial role in crafting that perfect focaccia texture and flavor. You’ll find that with pantry staples and a little olive oil magic, this recipe is remarkably simple yet deeply satisfying.
- Bread flour (2 cups / 300g): Using bread flour helps create the chewy, open crumb that makes focaccia so delightful, but all-purpose flour works well too.
- Instant yeast (1 1/8 tsp / 3.5g): This quick-acting yeast speeds up the rising process, making your focaccia ready faster without compromising texture.
- Cooking salt/kosher salt (3/4 tsp / 4.5g): Salt enhances the dough’s flavor; adjusting type or quantity slightly affects the taste intensity and crust texture.
- Very warm water (1 cup + 2 tbsp / 280ml): The right water temperature activates the yeast efficiently for a good rise — a mix of a bit of boiling and cool water does the trick perfectly.
- Extra virgin olive oil (1 1/2 tbsp): Olive oil moistens the dough and adds a fruity richness that’s signature to focaccia’s flavor and golden crust.
- Sea salt flakes (1/4 tsp heaped): Sprinkling these on top gives that lovely crunch and bursts of salty goodness with every bite.
How to Make Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe
Step 1: Combine Your Ingredients
Start by whisking together the bread flour, instant yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add your very warm water and olive oil, mixing with a spoon or your hands until a sticky dough forms. This dough is purposely on the wetter side to ensure your focaccia stays airy and soft inside while crisping up beautifully outside.
Step 2: First Rise and Rest
Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm spot for about 20 minutes. This short but crucial first rise activates the yeast and starts building those lovely bubbles and flavors you expect from focaccia.
Step 3: Shape and Prepare for Baking
Generously oil a baking dish or pan to prevent sticking and to encourage a golden crust. Transfer your dough into the pan and gently stretch it out to fill the space. Don’t worry if it resists a bit — just let it rest for a few minutes and stretch it again. Use your fingertips to dimple the surface deeply, creating that classic focaccia texture that holds the olive oil and sea salt perfectly.
Step 4: Final Touch and Bake
Brush the dough with a bit more olive oil, then sprinkle the sea salt flakes evenly across the top. This enhances both flavor and texture. Place the pan into your preheated oven and bake at 450°F (230°C) for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp on top. The aroma while it bakes will have you counting down the minutes!
How to Serve Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe
Garnishes
While simple sea salt flakes are perfect alone, feel free to add fresh rosemary, thyme, or even thinly sliced garlic on top before baking to elevate the flavors. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or honey right after baking can also create a delightful contrast of sweet and savory.
Side Dishes
This Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes — soup, salad, or a classic Italian pasta meal. It also shines as an accompaniment for cheese boards or charcuterie platters, where its salty crunch complements rich cheeses and cured meats superbly.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice it into thick squares for sandwiches, tear it apart for casual sharing, or cut into thin strips to serve as crispy dippers with flavored olive oils or hummus. For a fun twist, top with roasted vegetables after baking or use it as a base for a fresh bruschetta topping during gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any focaccia left (though it’s rare!), wrap it tightly in plastic or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. It’s best enjoyed within 2 days to maintain its fluffy texture and crisp crust.
Freezing
You can freeze focaccia easily by wrapping it well in foil and plastic wrap, then placing it in a zip-top freezer bag. It will keep perfectly for up to 3 months, so you can enjoy your Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe anytime you want.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, reheat slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the focaccia chewy rather than crisp and airy.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes! All-purpose flour works just fine in this recipe and will still yield tasty focaccia, although the texture might be slightly less chewy compared to bread flour.
Do I need to knead the dough?
This recipe is designed to be quick and minimal fuss, so no kneading is required. The high hydration and mixing method allow gluten to develop naturally during the resting period.
Can I add toppings before baking?
Absolutely! Toppings like rosemary, olives, cherry tomatoes, or caramelized onions can be added right before baking to customize the flavor and appearance of your focaccia.
How long does it take to make this Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe?
Total time is around 30 minutes including prep and baking, thanks to the rapid-rise yeast and minimal rising time.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Definitely! The simple steps and easy ingredients make this recipe perfect if you’re new to baking but crave homemade bread with minimal effort.
Final Thoughts
This Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe is truly a game changer in the kitchen — fast, forgiving, and utterly delicious. It’s a bread you can whip up any time, whether for a casual snack, a meal side, or a gathering centerpiece. I encourage you to try it out and watch as your friends and family marvel at your newfound baking magic. Once you master this, you’ll keep coming back for more slices of golden comfort!
Print
Quick and Easy Focaccia Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6.6 – 8 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This quick and easy focaccia recipe yields a light, airy, and flavorful Italian flatbread perfect for sandwiches, snacks, or as a side dish. With just a short prep and modest cook time, this recipe uses simple pantry staples and a straightforward method to produce delicious homemade focaccia that requires no extensive rising or kneading.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (300g) bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 1/8 tsp (3.5g) instant yeast (rapid rise yeast)
- 3/4 tsp (4.5g) kosher salt (reduce by 50% if using table salt, increase by 50% for salt flakes)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (280 ml / 280g) very warm water (combine 1/3 cup boiling water then top up with cold tap water to reach volume)
- 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Topping
- 1/4 tsp heaped sea salt flakes (or regular salt, a couple of pinches)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. Add the very warm water gradually along with 1 tablespoon of the extra virgin olive oil. Mix everything using a spoon or your hand until a rough dough forms and all ingredients are combined.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rest for about 30 minutes at room temperature. During this time, the dough will hydrate and slightly rise, becoming soft and sticky.
- Shape the dough: Grease a baking pan or sheet with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer the dough into the pan and gently stretch and press it with your fingers to spread it evenly across the surface. Create dimples across the top by pressing your fingers into the dough, which will create the classic focaccia texture.
- Bake and finish: Sprinkle the sea salt flakes evenly over the dough and drizzle a little more olive oil on top if desired. Bake the focaccia in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top. Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Note 1: Bread flour produces a chewier focaccia, but all-purpose flour works well for a softer texture.
- Note 2: Instant yeast shortens rise time, making this focaccia ‘quick and dirty,’ but active dry yeast can be used with longer proofing.
- Note 3: Using a mix of boiling and cold water ensures the dough is at an optimal warm temperature for yeast activation.
- You can add herbs like rosemary or garlic for extra flavor if desired.
- Focaccia is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated before serving.
