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Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe

A classic, no-knead Italian flatbread, this focaccia is effortlessly simple yet remarkably flavorful. With a crisp exterior and airy interior, it serves beautifully on its own, as the foundation for panini, or as a pizza crust alternative. The mashed potato inclusion offers an optional lift for a softer crumb.
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Course: Bread
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Rising Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2.5 cups all purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup mashed potato optional, enhances fluffiness

Toppings

  • 1 Tbsp fennel seeds toasted
  • 2 –3 tbsp black olive slices
  • 1 –2 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves only
  • Heirloom or cherry tomatoes sliced
  • 1 pinch Fleur de Sel sea salt to taste

Instructions

  • Combine the flour, sea salt, and half of the rosemary in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate the mashed potato by hand until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and olive oil. Pour this liquid mixture into the flour bowl, stirring with a large spatula until a sticky dough forms. Briefly knead by hand for one minute until the dough holds its shape in a cohesive ball.
  • Drizzle or brush the top with a bit of olive oil, cover with a kitchen towel, lid, or plastic wrap, and set the bowl in a draft-free location. Let it rise until doubled in volume, approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  • Oil a 12-inch cast iron skillet lightly. Transfer the dough into the skillet and use your hand to gently stretch it to the edges. Press fingertips across the surface to form characteristic dimples.
  • Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Scatter sliced tomatoes, olives, and rosemary over the top. Optionally include other toppings like red onion, pepperoncini, scallions, or zucchini. Finish with Fleur de Sel and toasted fennel seeds. Cover and allow a second rise at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes during oven preheating.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the surface and edges take on a light golden hue.
  • Cool on a rack before removing from the skillet and slicing for serving.

Notes

For a moister, fluffier crumb, include mashed potato. Omit it for a drier, traditional texture.
Substitutes for olive oil include walnut, sunflower, vegetable, or canola oil, though extra virgin olive oil is recommended.
To create focaccia art, press herbs and vegetables into the dough prior to baking for decorative flair.
For added fluffiness, whisk 2 tsp sugar with yeast and warm water, let stand until foamy, and then proceed with the recipe.