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Authentic Italian Focaccia

Authentic Italian Focaccia

This authentic Italian focaccia recipe captures the essence of traditional Italian breadmaking. With a golden, crispy crust and a fluffy interior, this olive oil bread is perfect as a snack, side dish, or base for sandwiches.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Essential Ingredients:
  • 4 cups of Caputo "00" flour or any high-quality all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1½ cups warm purified water
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for greasing and drizzling
  • Optional Additions:
  • Fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon, chopped
  • Sea salt flakes for topping
  • Olives green or black, ½ cup, sliced
  • Cherry tomatoes ½ cup, halved
  • Garlic 2 cloves, thinly sliced

Method
 

  1. Preparing the Dough:
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and sea salt.
  3. Gradually add the warm water and olive oil, stirring until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size (about 1-2 hours).
  6. Shaping and Topping:
  7. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
  8. Transfer the risen dough onto a generously oiled baking sheet.
  9. Use your fingers to gently stretch and press the dough to fit the pan, creating dimples on the surface.
  10. Drizzle olive oil over the dough and sprinkle with sea salt flakes. Add optional toppings like rosemary, olives, cherry tomatoes, or garlic.
  11. Baking to Perfection:
  12. Let the topped dough rest for another 10-15 minutes to relax slightly.
  13. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and crispy on the edges.
  14. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a deeper flavor, let the dough rest in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Bring it to room temperature before continuing with the recipe.
Serve the focaccia warm for the best experience, but it can also be enjoyed at room temperature.