Nothing beats fresh bread! I love to make this focaccia when I have a big group gathering. It’s a perfect make ahead item that’s can be ready when guests arrive to snack on. I like to serve this with some butter and olive oil/balsamic vinegar on the side. It’s one of the easiest breads to make since the ingredients are so simple, you only need a sheet pan, and no kneading is required.
Ingredients
Honey – The sweetener is added to help the yeast get going. You can substitute this with other sweeteners too! I’ve tried this with sugar and agave if you’d like to make it completely vegan. Use the same quantity if substituting other sweeteners.
Herbs de provence – Typical herbs de provence blends contain savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, and oregano. The one I use from Trader Joe’s also contains lavender. If you don’t like any of the herbs in the blend, you can use any singular herb! A rosemary focaccia or thyme focaccia is also lovely. You could even switch it up and use garlic powder, onion powder, or any other aromatic.
Salt – I like using table salt for in the dough and flaky salt for the top of the focaccia. After the focaccia bakes, I like that you can see the salt on top.
Olive oil – This bread requires quite a bit of olive oil. It really strengthens the flavor of the bread and helps it crisp up in the oven. Don’t skimp on the oil!
My Favorite Focaccia
Equipment
- Stand mixer optional
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups warm water
- 4.5 tsp yeast dry active
- 2 tsp honey
- 4 tsp salt
- 5 cups flour all purpose
- 2 tsp herbes de provence + extra for topping
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- flakey salt for topping
Instructions
- Bloom yeast in warm water and honey. Mix together and allow to sit until mixture begins to foam.
- Add flour, salt, and herbs de provence. If using a stand mixer, use the hook attachment.
- Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise overnight in the refrigerator, up to 48 hours. OR if you're lazy like me, instead of transferring to another bowl, pour some oil into the mixing bowl, targeting the sides of the bowl, making sure to coat the ball of dough.
- When ready to bake, generously coat a sheet pan in olive oil and empty dough onto sheet pan.
- Let come up to room temperature ~30 minutes.
- Using hands, spread and stretch dough to cover entire sheet pan. Dimple dough with fingers. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with flakey salt and extra herbes de provence.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes at 450F until crispy and browned.
- Cut into squares and enjoy alone, with more olive oil & balsamic vinegar or butter!
Looking for something bready but sweet? Try Banana Bread or Pumpkin Pull Apart Bread.
Try this focaccia alongside some Pumpkin Soup.