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    Home » Recipes » Bread & Dough

    Rosemary Focaccia Bread

    Updated: Aug 31, 2023 by Gustavo De Obaldia

    Written by Gustavo De Obaldia

    Another of our weaknesses in Italian staples is the rosemary focaccia bread. Today I share with you my version of this famous Italian staple.

    rosemary focaccia bread
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Comments

    After spending a few years in Italy, we frequently brought home-baked focaccia bread, and our local friends would often inquire, "Where did you get this focaccia?" Then came that moment… I finally felt like I had truly perfected our focaccia recipe!

    Jump to:
    • 🤔 What is Focaccia?
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥢 How to serve
    • 💡 Toppings
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥖 Tips if new to bread baking
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 🇮🇹 More Italian Inspiration
    • 🍞 More easy bread recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    🤔 What is Focaccia?

    Focaccia is a flat oven-baked Italian bread similar in style and texture to pizza dough. It is naturally vegan, and you can use it as a side to many meals or as sandwich bread.

    In Italy, it is even a snack. It is common to go into a bakery and ask for a piece of this delicious bread.

    Italians consider Focaccia a Ligurian bread, but there are many different variations in Italy’s regions and various ingredients are commonly added to it.

    A portion of rosemary focaccia bread

    There’s the focaccia alla Genovese, Focaccia al Rosmarino (like this one), Focaccia with Onions, and Focaccia with Cheese—the list goes on and on.

    Tomatoes, onions, and olives versions are commonly found even in mainstream supermarkets, and I recommend them if you want to make an interesting variation.

    Just as with pizza, there are countless versions, so I am taking the liberty of calling this my Focaccia version.

    🧾 Ingredients

    focaccia ingredients
    • Bread wheat flour (0 Type, manitoba)
    • Instant yeast (quick rise)
    • Sea salt
    • Brown sugar
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Fresh rosemary (optional).
    • Semolina (optional)

    See quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card.

    🔪 Instructions

    Let me carefully go through all the steps to make it just perfect!

    Make the yeast mixture.

    In a small bowl, add the yeast and brown sugar to the warm water and let it rest for ten minutes.

    Focaccia bread ingredients: sugar, yeast, and water

    Mix the dough ingredients

    Add the yeast mixture to the bread flour, semolina, and olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Once integrated, add the fine sea salt.

    Focaccia bread mix
    Focaccia bread dough

    Mix and knead

    Mix until you have a homogeneous dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface to knead and stretch the dough.

    Continue kneading for fifteen minutes in total; until you have a soft, firm dough that doesn't stick to your fingers.

    Focaccia bread dough stretching
    Splitting Focaccia bread dough

    Separate in two balls and manage separately. Stretch each one as shown below.

    Splitting Focaccia bread dough
    Stretching Focaccia bread dough
    Folding Focaccia bread dough
    Folding Focaccia bread dough
    Folding Focaccia bread dough

    First dough rise - 30 minutes

    Divide the dough into two balls and let it rise for 30 minutes, covered in a prepared pan with some olive oil and plastic in contact.

    The olive oil on top of the dough ball will prevent the plastic wrap from sticking to the dough. (See the recipe card for detailed instructions at the bottom of the page.)

    Oil Rosemary Focaccia bread dough
    Foil Rosemary Focaccia bread dough

    Second rise

    Put the dough on a rectangle baking sheet, gently stretch it into a rectangle shape, press with your fingers, and cover it with olive oil and fresh rosemary.

    Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm room for one hour. If you want, top with halved cherry tomatoes or even roasted garlic. Get creative.

    Press fingers into the Rosemary Focaccia bread dough
    Rosemary Focaccia bread dough ready for oven
    Rosemary Focaccia bread dough with tomatoes cherry
    Foil Rosemary Focaccia bread dough

    Bread baking

    Pre-heated the oven at 480 ºF (250ºC). I like using my oven in fan mode to ensure the heat is even.

    Sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil and flaky sea salt (coarse salt) and bake the focaccia for ten to fifteen minutes, until golden brown.

    Remove the baking sheet from the oven and wait about five minutes before removing it from the baking sheet.

    Watch out! The focaccia dough will get golden brown quickly; don't leave the oven unattended!

    Tip: place a container with water in the bottom of the oven, this will make sure the humidity and heat are evenly distributed in the oven.

    Rosemary Focaccia bread

    🥢 How to serve

    Serve warm or at room temperature.

    In Italy, focaccia is usually cut into medium to small rectangles, depending on its use.

    For apperitivo hour (happy hours), they usually cut it into small pieces and serve it with olives and assorted appetizers.

    Rosemary Focaccia bread

    You can also pour some olive oil into a small ball and add balsamic vinegar from Modena for a delicious and simple dipping option for baked focaccia.

    You can also make a focaccia sandwich. This thick focaccia works great for that. Just cut it right in the middle, lengthwise, and make a sandwich as you would any other sandwich.

    I promise you; it will be the best sandwich ever; you'll never turn back! My favorite focaccia sandwich is made with roasted vegetables (a mix of eggplants, onions, and red peppers).

    You can also have your focaccia as part of a vegan charcuterie board with spiced onions and spreads like Lebanese hummus recipe, roasted bell pepper Muhammara, Roasted red pepper hummus, and a Goddess Green Sauce.

    We also love serving baked focaccia with this simple but flavor-packed Italian eggplant stew or Vegan Eggplant Baba Ganoush.

    💡 Toppings

    My favorite focaccia toppings include:

    • Fresh herbs like fresh rosemary or thyme (pick tough herbs, not soft like fresh basil or arugula, they will wilt immediately).
    • Roasted garlic cloves
    • Whole or halved cherry tomatoes
    • Sliced plum tomatoes
    • Sun-dried tomatoes
    • Eggplant slices
    • Zucchini slices
    • Black or green olives
    • Thinly sliced onions
    • Roasted red peppers
    focaccia bread with sliced tomatoes on top

    Simply pick your favorite and place it on top before baking your focaccia.

    Tip: the focaccia baking time is brief, so if you want to use a topping that is raw and requires further cooking, briefly cook it before placing it on top of the focaccia.

    📖 Variations

    This classic Italian bread has many variations even here in Italy. You can find tens of thousands of variations, so how can another variation harm the world?

    A portion of rosemary focaccia bread

    I love Semolina and the sandy, dusty effect it has on bread and pizza. I think Semolina makes bread, and pizzas have more of a Sourdough texture, which I am all in for. We use this type of dough for our traditional marinara pizza as well.

    This is thick focaccia; if you prefer thinner focaccia, you can split the dough in four instead of two.

    Ligurian focaccia is usually thinner and made with brine.

    It is also widespread to make a brine for the focaccia with 1 ½ teaspoons of salt plus ⅓ cup of lukewarm water, then pour it into the raw dough during the second rise. I prefer my focaccia with flaky sea salt and without a brine, but it is a matter of taste.

    close up rosemary focaccia

    🥖 Tips if new to bread baking

    Flour

    The bread flour type is a big deal when baking the best focaccia recipe. I learned it the hard way. You can’t use any flour for any bread or baked goods. The zeros define the amount of gluten (protein) a given flour type has, thus what the flour is good for.

    The best focaccia bread is made with strong flour, but all-purpose flour also works. I have tried it with good results, but I like it better, as it makes the baked focaccia fluffier.

    strong flour and active dry yeast

    The fewer zeros, the more gluten, and gluten is the protein that makes dough rise. Therefore, if you use a multipurpose flour (most likely a 000), it will not grow as a 0 or 00 one.

    Flours used for baking cakes are most likely the 0000 type because you don’t want your cake to lose its shape.

    There is no better or worse flour; you just need to know what you want it for.

    Yeast

    Yeasts are microorganisms from the fungus kingdom. They are alive; they hate salt and love sugar. So when you use salt, ensure it doesn’t come in direct contact with yeast; it will kill it, as hot water does. Yeasts like warm water and sweets, don’t we all?

    Instead, it would help spread the salt within the flour evenly so the yeast doesn't meet a salt cluster.

    Inversely, diluting active dry yeast in warm water with sugar is a good idea.

    Hot water also kills yeast.

    Extra virgin olive oil

    Focaccia heavily relies on good-quality extra virgin olive oil. Like most Italian cuisine recipes, this recipe uses few ingredients; quality is critical.

    As you can see, there are no fancy ingredients here, so put extra effort into using a decent extra virgin olive oil. It doesn't have to be top-tier since you will still cook it.

    🥡 Storage

    So, Can you Freeze focaccia?

    Yes, you can! Just freeze leftover focaccia covered in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Then, to defrost it, preheat the oven to 300 ºF (150 ºC) for 10 minutes and place the frozen focaccia for 7-10 minutes. Ready!

    Without any other tips, here is the Focaccia! Let me know how it goes!

    ❓ FAQ

    is yeast gluten-free?

    Most yeast is GF, but some kinds of yeast can contain gluten, so it is best to check the package. The most common kinds of yeast used for baking goods, such as baker’s and active dry yeast, are gluten-free.

    🇮🇹 More Italian Inspiration

    • Basic Pizza Recipe + all the tips straight from Italy
    • Saffron Risotto
    • Lemony Spaghetti
    • 3 Ingredient Pasta Sauce
    • Vegan lemon basil pesto
    • Vegan Arugula Pesto

    🍞 More easy bread recipes

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      Italian Artisan Bread (Pagnotta)
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      Vegan Bread Buns

    ⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

    📋 Recipe

    rosemary focaccia bread recipe

    Rosemary Focaccia Bread Recipe

    Author: Gustavo De Obaldia
    Flat oven-baked Italian bread is similar in style and texture to pizza dough. You can use it as a side to many meals or as sandwich bread.
    5 from 26 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Resting Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 12 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Breakfast & Brunch, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine Italian-Inspired
    Servings 18 Servings, 2 focaccias
    Calories 165 kcal

    Equipment

    Loaf Pan 8.5 Inch x 4.5 Inch x 2 Inch, Ideal for Bread Baking Made of Non-Stick Black Aluminum for Home Kitchen and Catering.
    (affiliate link)
    Loaf Pan (affiliate link)
    Tovolo Stainless Steel Deep Mixing Kitchen Metal Bowls for Baking & Marinating, Dishwasher-Safe
    (affiliate link)
    Bowl (affiliate link)
    pasta-scraper
    (affiliate link)
    Pasta scraper (affiliate link)
    kitchen scale.
    (affiliate link)
    kitchen scale (affiliate link)

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1.1 pounds 0 Flour Full Strength Manitoba flour, plus some to adjust and lay on the surface
    • 3.5 ounces semolina hard durum wheat
    • 2 teaspoons brewer’s yeast dry, fast leavening
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 ⅓ cups water warm
    • ⅓ cup olive oil extra-virgin, plus extra to oil pan and drizzle
    • 2 tablespoons sea salt fine
    • 3 sprigs rosemary fresh, it is OK if you only have dried rosemary

    Optional

    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt one for each focaccia
    • 6 cherry tomatoes for a tomato and rosemary focaccia
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Directions
     

    • Dilute the sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it rest for 10 minutes. You should see some bubbles on top of the mix.
    • Meanwhile, mix the bread flour, semolina, and olive oil in a bowl. Then add the yeast water. Finally, add the sea salt and continue folding.
    • Take out of the bowl and knead for 15 minutes, using more flour if the dough is too sticky. You may need to add about 50 grams of flour (no more than 2 ounces).
    • Divide the dough into two pieces when you have a uniform ball. Divide in two evenly with a dough scraper. Use a kitchen scale to make sure they have the same volume.
    • Stretch each one into a rectangle, and fold it in three parts, like folding a letter. See pictures in post.
    • Place each piece on an oiled pan. Put some olive oil on top of each dough ball until fully covered, and then cover them with plastic wrap. Air is the worst enemy of your dough. It will create a hard crust on it if you leave it uncovered.
    • First rise. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes close to a warm place in your kitchen or close to a heater.
      If you don't have a warm place, turn the oven for 2 minutes at the minimum temperature. Turn the oven off and introduce the dough.
    • Take the raised dough balls. Generously oil the two pans where you will bake the two focaccia bread. Give the two balls a rectangle shape (one at a time). Delicately stretch them on each pan, press with your fingers, drizzle with olive oil and place the rosemary leaves (and halved cherry tomatoes face-up). Cover with plastic wrap.
    • 2nd rise. Let the dough rising on the rectangles sheets rise in a warm place for 60 minutes. At minute 50, preheat your oven at 480ºF (250ºC) on fan mode for 10 minutes.
    • Remove the plastic wrap, press your finger again, and optionally drizzle with extra olive oil. Optionally sprinkle ½ teaspoon of coarse sea salt on top of each focaccia.
    • Put any oven-resistant container on the bottom of the oven with 1 cup of water (this helps to ensure the temperature is even in all types of ovens, in case you don’t have an oven with a fan).
      Use fan mode preferably; if not available, use upper and lower heat mode.
    • Bake the Focaccia for 12-15 mins or until golden on top, without opening the oven. Watch the oven after minute 10, don't let the top burn.

    Video

    Notes

    If you are not making two focaccia bread pieces, you can either:
    1. Use the second piece for a pizza. The same dough works perfectly.
    2. Reduce to half all the ingredients.
    3. Use a larger baking sheet and make a big one.
    Note: I usually use about one extra ounce (30 grams) of flour to manage the dough on the surface.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 778mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram and Hashtag it #ourplantbasedworld so we can see what's cooking!!

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.

    Affiliate Disclaimer

    Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

    gustavo de obaldia headshot.
    Gustavo De Obaldia
    Website |  + postsBio

    As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 26 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Emily

      January 09, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      This focaccia is so delicious and versatile, I can't wait to try it with all sorts of different toppings! The photo showing the crumb is my favorite, well done!

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 20, 2022 at 9:34 pm

        Thank you, Emily! Cheers!

        Reply
    2. Kayla DiMaggio

      January 09, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! This rosemary focaccia bread was so delicious! We devoured it!

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 09, 2022 at 6:00 pm

        That's great! Today we made the focaccia again to make the video for the recipe and we also devoured it! We'll be posting the video soon!

        Reply
    3. Michelle

      January 09, 2022 at 10:05 am

      5 stars
      Was wowed by the photos and the focaccia is just divine!!

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 09, 2022 at 12:02 pm

        Thank you! And the flavor! Oh, God!

        Reply
    4. Shilpa

      January 09, 2022 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      This focaccia looks incredibly delicious. I’m loving that lovely crumb. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the detailed instructions.

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 09, 2022 at 12:01 pm

        Oh! you'll love it! Nothing like homemade focaccia! Try different toppings!

        Reply
    5. Tara

      January 08, 2022 at 4:47 am

      5 stars
      This focaccia looks absolutely fantastic! I love that texture and all the tips to help make the bread perfect.

      Reply
    6. Sharon

      January 08, 2022 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      This focaccia bread is a wonderful side dish with pasta or chunky stews. I really like step-by-step instructions for making it.

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 08, 2022 at 10:47 am

        I am glad you found the steps by steps helpful Sharon! Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    7. Kristen Wood

      January 08, 2022 at 2:12 am

      5 stars
      This couldn't be easier! Turned out perfectly, too!

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 08, 2022 at 10:48 am

        I am very happy to hear that Kristen! Focaccia baking is easy, just need the right steps! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Anjali

      January 08, 2022 at 1:03 am

      5 stars
      Omg this foccacia bread turned out just as good at my favorite bakery's foccacia! It was moist and flavorful!

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 22, 2022 at 10:50 am

        that's very nice Anjali! Thank for the feedback!

        Reply
    9. Andrea

      January 08, 2022 at 12:29 am

      5 stars
      Great find! I'm super excited about this bread, I'm always in search of ways to use rosemary. It's one of my favorite spices! And so easy to make!

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 08, 2022 at 12:48 am

        I am sure you will adore it! One of our favorite comfort foods!

        Reply
    10. Jessie

      November 08, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      I can just imagine how good the house will smell while baking this.

      Reply
    11. rebecca

      November 08, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      OMG I love focaccia! your recipe is so easy and thanks for sharing the brands you used

      Reply
      • Gus

        November 08, 2021 at 9:26 pm

        you are very welcome Rebecca!

        Reply
    12. Jessica Formicola

      November 08, 2021 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      We made this bread last night and the house smelled AMAZING! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Gus

        November 08, 2021 at 9:26 pm

        I am glad to hear that your rosemary focaccia was a success!

        Reply
    13. Julie

      November 08, 2021 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      This looks incredible! I can't believe how easy it is to make. Will be baking some of this up very soon!

      Reply
      • Gus

        November 08, 2021 at 6:21 pm

        Thank you! I am sure you guys are going to love it! Pure Italian deliciousness!

        Reply
    14. Heather Perine

      November 08, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      One of my all time favorite bread recipes to make! And I love the simplicity of it too. Just need some good olive oil now for dunking 🙂

      Reply
    15. Taly

      August 16, 2021 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      Probé esta receta y ¡Fue amor al primer bocado! Me encantó!

      Reply
    16. Sarai

      January 29, 2021 at 7:23 pm

      It was the perfect bread recipe! Easy and Delicious! ????????????????

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 29, 2021 at 8:07 pm

        I am glad you enjoyed it! That's our best reward!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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