🍅 The Perfect Party Focaccia | Crispy Outside, Soft Inside
There's something special about freshly baked focaccia, with its beautiful golden crust, soft and airy interior, and delicious olive oil flavor.
This homemade focaccia is topped with juicy cherry tomatoes, green olives, and a little flaky sea salt. It's simple, rustic, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
I originally made this focaccia for a family party, where it quickly became everyone's favorite!
The secret is letting the dough rise slowly overnight in the refrigerator. This develops wonderful flavor and gives the bread its light, airy texture.
And don't worry if you've never baked bread before. Most of the preparation is hands-off, and I'll guide you through each step.
You Can Bake This! ❤️
🧺 Ingredients
For one large homemade focaccia.
🌾 For the Dough
600 g all-purpose flour (approximately 5 US cups)
500 ml lukewarm water (approximately 2 US cups + 2 tbsp)
1 tsp instant yeast (approximately 3 g)
2 tsp salt (approximately 10–12 g, depending on the salt)
1 tsp sugar (approximately 4 g)
1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
🍅 For the Toppings
3–4 tbsp olive oil (45–60 ml), for the pan and top of the dough
Approximately 18 cherry tomatoes, halved
10–12 green olives, quartered (or as many as you like)
Flaky sea salt, to taste
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture 🥣
Pour the lukewarm water into a large mixing bowl.
Add the instant yeast, salt, and sugar.
Stir gently and allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes until small bubbles begin to form.
2. Add the Olive Oil 🫒
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the water mixture and stir to combine.
3. Mix the Dough 🌾
Add the flour and mix until all the flour is incorporated.
Make sure there are no dry spots remaining.
The dough will be quite soft and sticky. This is exactly what we want for a light and airy focaccia.
4. Let the Dough Rest ⏱️
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
5. Stretch and Fold the Dough 🙌
With slightly wet hands, gently lift one side of the dough, stretch it upward, and fold it toward the center.
Turn the bowl and repeat around the dough.
Cover and let it rest for another 30 minutes.
Repeat this process every 30 minutes until you have completed four sets of stretch-and-folds.
This develops the dough's structure without traditional kneading.
6. Refrigerate Overnight ❄️
Cover the bowl well and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
The slow fermentation allows the dough to develop more flavor and a wonderfully airy texture.
7. Transfer the Dough to the Baking Pan 🫒
The next day, generously coat your baking pan with olive oil.
Gently transfer the dough into the prepared pan, trying not to press out all the air bubbles.
8. Let the Dough Rest ☀️
Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rest at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
9. Dimple the Dough 👆
Drizzle a little olive oil over the surface of the dough.
Lightly oil your fingertips and gently press into the dough to create the characteristic focaccia dimples.
10. Add the Toppings 🍅
Press the halved cherry tomatoes and quartered green olives gently into the dough.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
11. Final Rest ⏱️
Allow the topped dough to rest for another 30 minutes while you preheat your oven.
12. Preheat the Oven 🔥
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
13. Bake Until Golden Brown 🥖
Place the focaccia in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 20–22 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the bread is cooked through.
14. Cool and Enjoy ❤️
Remove the focaccia from the oven.
If desired, brush the top with a little more olive oil for extra flavor and a beautiful finish.
Transfer to a wire rack and allow it to cool slightly before slicing.
Enjoy it warm or at room temperature!
💡 My Baking Tips
🌙 Let it rise overnight: The slow fermentation develops flavor and creates a lighter, airier texture.
🙌 Don't worry about sticky dough: Focaccia dough contains a lot of water. Wet or lightly oiled hands make it easier to handle.
🫒 Use enough olive oil: Olive oil helps create that delicious golden crust and prevents the bread from sticking to the pan.
🍅 Try different toppings: Cherry tomatoes and olives are wonderful, but you can also experiment with rosemary, garlic, or other favorite ingredients.
🔥 Watch the baking time: Every oven is a little different. Look for a beautifully golden crust rather than relying only on the timer.
🎥 Watch the Full Step-by-Step Video
Want to see exactly how it's made?
In my YouTube video, I show you how to mix the dough, perform the stretch-and-fold method, let it ferment overnight, and bake it into a beautiful homemade focaccia.
▶️ Watch My Homemade Focaccia Bread Video on YouTube
❤️ Happy Baking!
Making homemade bread doesn't have to be difficult. With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can create something wonderful in your own kitchen.
I'd love to hear how your focaccia turns out and what toppings you decide to try!
You Can Bake This!
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