Quick and dirty focaccia

Focaccia is a delicious Italian bread that is perfect for any occasion. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a favorite for many. The best part? You can make it quickly and easily with just a few ingredients. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of making quick and dirty focaccia, so you can enjoy fresh bread right at home.

Why Make This Recipe

This quick and dirty focaccia recipe is perfect for those who love homemade bread but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It uses simple ingredients that you probably already have at home, and it doesn’t require any complicated techniques. Plus, it’s fast! You’ll have warm, fresh focaccia to enjoy in no time.

How to Make Quick and Dirty Focaccia

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (300g) bread flour (or plain/all-purpose flour, Note 1)
• 1 1/8 tsp (3.5g) instant yeast (aka rapid rise yeast) (Note 2)
• 3/4 tsp (4.5g) cooking salt / kosher salt (-50% for table salt, + 50% for salt flakes)
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp (280 ml / 280g) very warm water (1/3 cup boiling water then top up with cold tap water) (Note 3)
• 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp (heaped) sea salt flakes (or regular salt, couple of pinches)

Directions:

ABBREVIATED:

1. Mix the flour, yeast, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add warm water and olive oil; stir until combined.
3. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes.
4. Press the dough into an oiled baking dish.
5. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes.
6. Bake in a preheated oven until golden.

FULL RECIPE:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of bread flour, 1 1/8 teaspoons of instant yeast, and 3/4 teaspoon of cooking salt. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix all the dry ingredients well.
2. Pour in 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of very warm water and 1 1/2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Mix until the dough starts to come together.
3. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise for about 30 minutes. The dough will become slightly puffy.
4. After the dough has risen, generously oil a baking dish. Press the dough into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
5. Using your fingers, make dimples all over the top of the dough. This helps to create that signature focaccia texture.
6. Sprinkle the top with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt flakes.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
8. Once baked, take it out and let it cool slightly before serving.

Bake!
Bake your focaccia at 425°F (220°C) until it’s golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

Serving / cutting:
Once the focaccia has cooled a bit, slice it into squares and enjoy with olive oil or your favorite dip!

How to Serve Quick and Dirty Focaccia

Focaccia is best served warm. You can enjoy it on its own or dip it in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It also pairs well with soup, salad, or as a sandwich base. The possibilities are endless!

How to Store Quick and Dirty Focaccia

Store any leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature when ready to use.

Tips to Make Quick and Dirty Focaccia

• Use warm water to help the yeast activate quickly.
• Don’t skip the dimpling step; it gives the focaccia a unique texture.
• Experiment with toppings like herbs, cheese, or olives for added flavor.

Variation

Feel free to add toppings like rosemary, garlic, or sun-dried tomatoes before baking for a twist on the classic flavor!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes! You can substitute bread flour with all-purpose flour, but the texture might be slightly different.

Q2: Can I make this focaccia in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before baking.

Q3: How do I know when the focaccia is done?
It should be golden brown on top. You can also tap the bottom; it should sound hollow when it’s ready.

Enjoy making and sharing your delicious quick and dirty focaccia!

Quick and Dirty Focaccia

A simple and quick recipe for making delicious Italian focaccia bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Bread, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 slices

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups bread flour or plain/all-purpose flour
• 1 ⅛ tsp instant yeast aka rapid rise yeast
• ¾ tsp cooking salt -50% for table salt, +50% for salt flakes

Wet Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups very warm water 1/3 cup boiling water then top up with cold tap water
• 1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Topping

• ¼ tsp sea salt flakes or regular salt, couple of pinches

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and cooking salt. Stir to mix well.
• Pour in the very warm water and extra virgin olive oil, and mix until the dough starts to come together.
• Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise for about 30 minutes, until slightly puffy.

Shaping and Baking

• Generously oil a baking dish and press the dough into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
• Using your fingers, make dimples all over the top of the dough.
• Sprinkle the top with sea salt flakes.
• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the focaccia for about 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

Serving

• Once baked, let it cool slightly before slicing into squares and serving warm.

Notes

Focaccia is best served warm with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage. Don’t skip the dimpling step for unique texture.

Keyword easy recipes, Focaccia, Quick Bread