Easy Focaccia Bread is a soft and chewy bread. This homemade focaccia recipe is perfect as an appetizer or with your favorite meal.
This post was updated from 2015 to improve reader experience.
Homemade Focaccia Bread uses simple ingredients and is easy enough for the beginner or the avid bread baker.
This Easy Focaccia Bread will impress the socks off of your guests.
It’s soft and tender and perfect for the fanciest charcuterie tray or simple pasta dinner.
What is Focaccia Bread?
Focaccia is a soft and chewy type of Italian bread. It’s not a pizza or flat bread but isn’t a tall loaf either.
Homemade Focaccia Bread Ingredients
Like many Italian bread varieties, this Focaccia recipe uses simple and minimal ingredients.
Traditionally Focaccia is made with Parmesan Reggiano and rosemary. It’s also our go-to combination.
- All-Purpose Flour – You can use bleached or unbleached
- Salt – We used kosher salt but any salt is acceptable
- Yeast – Dry yeast also called Dry Active, Instant yeast, or Rapid Rise will work in this recipe
- Sugar – White granulated sugar
- Herbs – We used rosemary, thyme, and oregano
- Olive Oil
- Parmesan Cheese – We prefer Parmesan Reggiano
Focaccia Bread Recipe Variations
Focaccia can be topped with a variety of toppings ranging from rosemary and sea salt to different types of cheese, herbs, vegetables, and even fruit. Here are a few ideas.
- Cheese – Use romano or asiago just as long as it’s a hard cheese that can be grated.
- Sun-dried tomatoes – chop and include some in the bread as well as on the top. Sun-dried tomatoes can burn under a high oven temperature. Therefore, watch them while they bake.
- Olives – Chop black or a mixed variety and include them in the bread and on the top. Make sure you drain them so you don’t add a lot of liquid.
- Herbs – We used fresh herbs but dried ones will work in this recipe. You don’t have to use all of the ones that we did, (rosemary, thyme, and oregano). Add sage, basil, or your favorite herb.
- You can also use dried seasoning blends such as Italian Seasoning, Herbs de Provence, or a Mediterranean Spice blend.
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How to serve Easy Focaccia
The first time I made this bread I took it to a gathering of friends. Let’s just say they were impressed! Here are may favorite ways to serve it.
Appetizer Course
- Sliced with dips.
- Olive oil dusted with cracked pepper and parmesan cheese
- Pesto
- Marinara
- Add it to a charcuterie tray loaded with Italian meats, cheeses, and anti-pasta ingredients such as olives and blistered tomatoes. Here are some ideas to make your own cheese tray.
Dinner (main course)
- Focaccia is great with Pasta dinners. The soft crumb is perfect for getting the last of the pasta sauce such as Shrimp Cavatappi, Bucatini Cacio e Papio, or Italian Goulash.
- Soups such as Tomato Florentine Soup, Chicken Pot Pie Soup, or Cheesy Potato Soup.
- Sandwiches are John’s favorite way to use a leftover loaf of Focaccia Bread. He says ANY kind of sandwich but especially our Prime Rib Sandwich and Proscuitto Sandwich.
We love this easy Focaccia recipe and have made it several times. If you make it we hope you’ll let us know!
More easy bread recipes!
We LOVE baking bread! You can find all of our bread recipes here!
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I would love it if you enjoy this recipe that you will leave me a comment and rate the recipe with 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 ½ tsp dried rosemary divided
- 1 tbsp Olive oil Plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano grated and divided
Instructions
- In a small bowl or cup, combine milk, yeast, and sugar. Allow to sit until it becomes foamy (5 to 10 minutes)
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, 3/4 teaspoon of the rosemary, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan Reggiano.
- Mix in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then add the milk-yeast mixture.
- *Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl, turning once to coat both sides. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until it doubles in size (1 to 1-1/2 hours).
- Punch down dough and place on a well greased rimmed baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle or any shape to your liking (oval, square, or rectangle). To give the dough the dimples effect, use your fingertips, pushing gently all over the surface of the dough.
- Brush generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese, remaining 3/4 teaspoon of rosemary, and sea salt. Allow dough to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown in a preheated 450° F oven with the rack set to the middle position.
Trudi says
Hi. I am new to bread baking and would like to start with your recipe. I am a wee bit confused. Does the milk need to be heated before adding the yeast and sugar?
Julie Menghini says
Just a little Trudi. I warm it to about bathwater temp in the microwave or let it sit out to take the chill off. You don’t want it too warm. This is a great recipe to start with and I hope you’ll let me know how it goes.
Mike says
We make this to go with some balsamic and it is awesome. Love the flavor profile
Anna says
I would love to try this recipe! Focaccia is such a delicious bread and a family-favorite!
Julie Menghini says
Easy peasy Anna! It is delicious and I’ve even taken it as an appetizer with olive oil and parm dipping sauce. If you try it let me know how it turns out or let me know if you have any questions.
Anna says
Sounds wonderful! Thank you so much, Julie! 🙂 You know, it would be so fun to go to cooking classes together in Italy! We could make homemade pastas to go with the breads! 😉
Julie Menghini says
Oh Anna, I just made some a couple weeks ago. I have a recipe that my husbands grandmother brought from Italy. I made ravioli that my Father-in-law had as a child. He’s 91 now so I can only imagine how old it is! He just loved that I made it for him.
Anna says
Oh Julie, that sounds so wonderful!! And how special that it’s a family recipe from Italy! Wow, that sounds amazing!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Anna! I loved doing it too.
Anna says
Thank you, Julie!
Loretta says
I’ve never tried making focaccia, but it sure looks yummy. The soft delicate inside, and the lovely exterior with rosemary…..it will definitely satisfy any appetite. Great job Julie, you are creating some wonderful baked goods in your kitchen, you will now be dubbed as “The Baking Queen” by me. 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Loretta, you are such a sweetie! Baking is definitely something I enjoy! I’ll have to get a sign declaring my title and post it in my kitchen!
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
I still have not made focaccia since I took a class at Zingerman’s Bakery 2 years ago. Maybe your recipe is the inspiration I need. Love it for dipping 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
It’s probably the easiest bread to make. So forgiving and very versatile. I would love to take classes like that but there isn’t much offered around here.
[email protected] says
I can almost smell this delicious bread. You make everything looks so easy.
Tracey
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Tracey! I love baking bread and want to try some more artisan recipes. That is where it gets difficult!
annainternational says
Julie this looks divine! I used to live in Florence (hence my similarly Italian recipe at Fiesta Friday) and I loved that you could get fresh foccaccia on every corner there. I ate far too much of it! I have never once tried to make my own though, which is crazy! You have given me the push I needed. My boyfriend absolutely loves it too, so I’m going to make some for him tomorrow. And happily my rosemary is doing very well at the moment! Phew! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Anna! It is an easy bread to make. Just planting my rosemary and encouraging it to grow! Thank you for co-hosting FF this week!
annainternational says
My pleasure! 🙂
Linda says
Wonderful recipe! I’m trying this on the weekend! Thanks so much for posting it!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Linda! It is a keeper and easy to do. Please let me know how it comes out for you.
Linda says
Will do!
treats-and-travel says
This looks delicious Julie! I will be trying this soon. I know what you mean about baking at certain times. I always make a batch of scones when my husband is feeling under par – even though he is not that keen on scones! It makes me feel better though!
Just popped over to The Daring Kitchen – how interesting!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
It’s a great way for me to widen my horizons in the kitchen. 🙂
Sarah 'n Spice says
Your homemade bread making skills are on point! Looks amazing!
Celebrating Sunshine says
I love home made bread and yours looks awesome! I wish I were there… 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
It is an easy one that I would love to share with you! It great for dipping in a mix of olive oil and parmesan cheese!
Garden Walk Garden Talk says
We have a great Italian family bakery here and I doubt I could beat their Focaccia even with your wonderful recipe. I just don’t have a great bake oven, but wish I did.
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
I got a great oven about 7 years ago and wish I would have had it 20 years ago. It does make a difference.
Debbie Spivey says
Focaccia, a woman after my heart!! <3
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thanks Debbie! Looks like your Chicago trip was a lot of fun!
Debbie Spivey says
We had a great time!
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Hi Julie! the Focaccia looks lovely 🙂 so true about the preservatives, I bake breads at home, just the basic sandwich loaves and dinner rolls, trying to explore more of bread baking.
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Hi Freda! Thank you so much for stopping by. I am enjoying trying other breads too!
Lili says
Lovely focaccia Julie and it’s interesting to see all the herbs that go in the dough… must be very tasty! 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
WAS delicious :). And very tender. Thanks Lili!
lapetitepaniere says
This is a gorgeous focaccia Julie 🙂 I’m imagining the wonderful smell in your home!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
You are so right. I love the smell of baking bread!
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
I love focaccia so much!! I’ve never tried making it at home, but I totally should! Thanks for this recipe!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Lisa it is such an unfussy bread to make and it’s perfect for dipping into good olive oil and parmesan. Thanks for stopping by!
Sandhya says
Julie,
This focaccia looks so delicious! I have to make it- it is a sure way to my husband’s heart:)
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Our boys love bread don’t they? I hope you will give it a try.
Sandhya says
Yes they do, Julie. I certainly will try making it. Hope mine comes out as good as yours!
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons says
Great texture with that crisp crust and soft center. I like the traditional version. Delicious!
Sounds like an interesting blogging group.
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
I enjoy it Liz. They have two categories, baking and cooking and it’s only once a month. You can read up on them. Thanks for stopping by!
Cynthia @ Whole Food | Real Families says
I’ve been looking for a good recipe! This looks great!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Cynthia! Good and easy!!
Traditionally Modern Food says
Wow I m so drooling to taste this with my coffee.. Looks perfect julie
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you!
Malar says
They looks simply wonderful Julie!!!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Malar!
Chitra Jagadish says
Omg julie this focaccia looks wonderful. … 🙂 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Chitra!
Elaine @ foodbod says
Gorgeous!!!!!!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Elaine!
tinywhitecottage says
You really achieved a gorgeous brown crust. I love focaccia and used to frequent a charming little cafe that served it sliced open with the most delicious ripe tomatoes and basil. Lovely post.
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
That would be delicious and why I like this bread. It’s a great snack or side to a meal.
Ruchi says
I have never tried baking focaccia at home. But now I am tempted to bake this. 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
It is very easy and delicious! Thank you for stopping by!
Ruchi says
I use store bought focaccia but I am going to try this recipe soon. 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
That’s wonderful! It really is simple and you can make a couple and put one in the freezer.
juliana says
your focaccia looks so good! the recipe from the challenge was so tasty, i loved it!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you Juliana! Your focaccia came out beautifully too. They are quick and easy to do and I think the are popular in many countries. Thank you for commenting!
oceanviewkitchen says
This focaccia looks great! This will be perfect with a cup of the tomato soup:)
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Thank you! It really would. 🙂
Jenny says
This focaccia looks wonderful! I am inspired to try this recipe!