The Ultimate Fluffy Focaccia Recipe That You Will Love

Crafting an irresistible focaccia brings pure joy to home kitchens everywhere.

Soft, pillowy dough becomes a canvas for culinary creativity.

Mediterranean traditions inspire this classic Italian bread with its dimpled surface and aromatic herbs.

Salt crystals glisten across golden-brown peaks, promising delectable textures in every bite.

Fragrant rosemary and olive oil dance together, creating a sensory experience that transports you to rustic Italian landscapes.

Baking this bread fills your space with warmth and comfort.

You'll want to share this delightful creation with everyone around your table.

Why Hairy Bikers Focaccia Is A Bakery Favorite

• Savor Homemade Comfort: This focaccia brings bread right to your kitchen with minimal professional baking skills required.
• Customize Your Creation: Experiment with different toppings like olives, cherry tomatoes, or herbs to make this recipe uniquely yours, keeping meal prep exciting and personal.
• Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family gatherings or casual get-togethers, this focaccia impresses guests without demanding complicated techniques or excessive preparation time.
• No-Fuss Ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples most home cooks already have, making it an accessible and budget-friendly bread option for spontaneous baking adventures.

Hairy Bikers Focaccia Ingredient Breakdown

• Flour: The main structure of the focaccia that provides the foundation for the bread.
• Warm Water: Essential liquid that activates yeast and helps develop gluten.
• Yeast: Provides rise and creates the signature airy texture of focaccia.

• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with fermentation and browning.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.

• Olive Oil, Rosemary, Coarse Salt: These ingredients add rich Mediterranean flavor and create the classic focaccia topping with a crispy, aromatic finish.

How To Bake Hairy Bikers Focaccia

Step 1: Activate Yeast Mixture

Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir gently and let the mixture sit until it becomes frothy and bubbly, which takes about 5-10 minutes. This process awakens the yeast and prepares it for bread making.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• Flour
• Olive oil
• Salt

Knead the mixture thoroughly for 5-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The texture should feel soft and pliable, not sticky or dry.

Step 3: Allow First Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest and rise in a warm spot for approximately one hour. During this time, the dough will double in size and develop rich flavor.

Step 4: Shape and Relax Dough

Gently press the risen dough into a rectangular shape on a baking sheet. Allow the dough to rest for an additional 20 minutes, which helps develop its structure and makes it easier to handle.

Step 5: Prepare Focaccia Surface

• Fresh rosemary
• Coarse sea salt

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the prepared focaccia in a preheated oven at 400°F. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the bread turns a beautiful golden brown color. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Tips For Light And Fluffy Hairy Bikers Focaccia

• Ensure water is precisely warm (110-115°F) to help yeast bloom without killing it, creating a fluffy, airy focaccia.
• Knead until smooth and elastic, avoiding over-mixing which can make bread tough and dense.
• Generously drizzle high-quality extra virgin olive oil for rich, authentic Italian taste and crispy golden crust.
• Allow dough to rise and rest completely, giving gluten time to develop and creating that signature soft, pillowy interior.

Creative Add-Ons For Hairy Bikers Focaccia

• Herb Garden Focaccia: Replace rosemary with a blend of fresh thyme, oregano, and basil for a herbal flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend using rice flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diners.
• Mediterranean Olive Focaccia: Incorporate chopped Kalamata olives and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before baking for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Focaccia: Add diced jalapeños and shredded cheddar cheese to create a savory bread with a kick of heat.

What Goes Well With Hairy Bikers Focaccia

• Wine Wonderland: Pour a crisp Pinot Grigio or light Vermentino that complements the bread's herbal rosemary notes, cutting through its rich olive oil essence.
• Cheese Harmony: Serve alongside creamy burrata, sour goat cheese, or soft mozzarella to enhance the focaccia's delicate texture and herbaceous flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Dip Delight: Create a quick olive oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce, blending robust flavors that highlight the bread's delicious rosemary-infused character.
• Antipasti Adventure: Arrange a small plate of cured Italian meats like prosciutto, salami, and olives to transform your focaccia into a complete Mediterranean-style appetizer experience.

How To Keep Hairy Bikers Focaccia Fresh

• Store cooled focaccia in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days. Keep at the back of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Slice focaccia, place parchment paper between layers, and store in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed focaccia at 350F for 5-7 minutes. Wrap in foil to prevent drying out and restore moisture.
• Slice focaccia, toast on low setting for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil after heating to refresh the bread's texture and flavor.

FAQs For Hairy Bikers Focaccia

• Why do I need to let the yeast foam?

Foaming confirms the yeast is alive and active, which helps ensure your focaccia will rise properly and develop a good texture.

• Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, all-purpose flour works fine, but bread flour has more protein that helps create a chewier, more robust bread structure.

• How do I know the dough is kneaded enough?

The dough should feel smooth, elastic, and spring back when you press it. It shouldn’t be sticky or tear easily when stretched.

• What's the purpose of dimpling the dough before baking?

Dimpling creates pockets for olive oil to collect, adds texture, and helps the focaccia develop its characteristic rustic, uneven surface that captures extra flavor.

Rustic Focaccia Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55-60 mins
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Focaccia brings Italian bakery goodness into your kitchen. Soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and brushed with olive oil and herbs, it’s perfect for sharing.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (0.25 ounces) packet active-dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water

Liquids and Oils:

• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2 teaspoons sugar or honey
• 2 teaspoons flaky sea salt
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by combining warm water, sugar, and dry yeast in a mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to develop a frothy texture for 5-10 minutes, indicating active fermentation.
2. Incorporate flour, olive oil, and salt into the yeast mixture. Knead the dough vigorously for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and develops a consistent texture.
3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once so the surface is coated. Cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Gently stretch and shape the risen dough into a rectangular form on a baking sheet. Allow the dough to rest and relax for 20 minutes, which helps develop better texture.
5. Create signature focaccia dimples using fingertips, pressing deliberately across the surface. Drizzle generously with additional olive oil, then sprinkle fresh rosemary and coarse sea salt evenly.
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the focaccia for about 20 minutes, until golden on top and crisp around the edges. Let it cool slightly before slicing so it stays moist inside.

Notes

• Choose high-protein bread flour for a chewier, more authentic texture that mimics traditional Italian focaccia.
• Create deeper flavor complexity by letting the dough slow-rise overnight in the refrigerator, developing richer yeast characteristics.
• Use a digital thermometer to check internal bread temperature, ensuring perfect doneness without overdrying the delicate crumb structure.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 35-40 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg