Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread
User Reviews
5
Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread
Description
Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread starts with a straightforward dough made from all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and instant yeast, mixed with warm water. The dough is refrigerated for a long fermentation, developing flavor and improving texture without additional kneading. After resting overnight, the dough is divided into two portions, placed into buttered cake pans, and allowed to rise until nearly doubling in size.
Before baking, the dough rounds are drizzled with olive oil and gently pressed with oiled fingers to create characteristic dimples on the surface. It is then sprinkled with Italian seasoning or fresh herbs and flaky sea salt, contributing aroma and subtle savory notes. The bread bakes to a golden crust with a soft and airy crumb inside, typical of focaccia’s rustic texture.
This recipe balances ease with good results by using slow fermentation, avoiding extensive kneading, and baking in cake pans for even shaping. The bread pairs well with olive oil dips, soups, or sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 2 cups water warm, tap water
- 1 teaspoon butter for greasing pan, soft
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- Italian seasoning or finely chopped fresh herbs
- sea salt I like Maldon, flaky
Instructions
Prepare the dough:
- In a medium-large bowl, combine flour, salt, and instant yeast. Stir well. Add the warm water. Using a Danish Whisk, sturdy wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, mix until all of the flour is well incorporated (there should be no small pockets of flour. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Lightly butter two 9-inch cake pans. Line pans with parchment paper. Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into the center of each pan. Divide dough in half with a large spoon or rubber spatula and place one piece of dough in each pan, turning to coat with oil. Tuck edges of dough underneath to form a rough ball.
- Cover each pan tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough balls to rest for 2 hours (it may take as long as 3 hours, depending on the warmth of your kitchen). The dough should cover most of the pan.
Bake:
- Drizzle another tablespoon of oil over each round of dough. With oiled fingers, using both hands, press straight down and create deep dimples that go all the way through the dough (in other words, you'll actually be making deep holes.) If necessary, gently stretch the dough as you dimple to allow the dough to fill the pan.
- Sprinkle tops with Italian seasoning (or fresh herbs) and flaky sea salt. Allow the dough to rest in the pan for 30 minutes, then preheat the oven to 450˚F with a rack positioned in the center of the oven.
- When the oven is at 450˚F, transfer the focaccia to the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 425˚F. Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, until the tops are golden and the undersides are crisp. Remove pans from the oven. With a metal spatula remove bread rounds from the pans and transfer to a cooling rack.
- Serve warm or allow to cool completely then store in a zippered bag.
Freeze:
- To freeze, allow bread to cool completely, then transfer to a ziplock bag and freeze. Thaw and enjoy at room temperature or warm for 10 minutes in a 350˚F oven.
Notes
- Follow the refrigerated fermentation step for 8 to 24 hours to develop flavor and texture.
- Use a buttered pan lined with parchment for easy removal and to prevent sticking.
- Press dough with oiled fingers to create dimples that hold oil and herbs.
- Adjust herbs and salt on top based on preference for seasoning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 151 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 151kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 294mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 47mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 0g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 10IU | 0% |
| Calcium | 5mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1.5mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.