Classic Rosemary Seasalt Focaccia
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Focaccia Bread hooked me with one oily, crispy bite.
Ever pressed your fingers into warm dimples? I have.
Olive oil, rosemary, and flaky sea salt sing here.
Honestly, this felt like comfort food turned fancy.
Oh my gosh, I ruined one batch learning hydration.
Now I chase that perfect golden, pillowy crumb.
Brief Overview
This is a Ligurian flatbread with deep roots.
Think coastal Italy, olive groves, and simple hands-on baking.
Difficulty: Easy Medium. The method is simple. Practice helps.
Active prep time is 20– 30 minutes.
Total same day time is about 3 3½ hours .
Or use the overnight retard for big flavor.
Yields one 9 x 13 inch pan.
Serve as 8 generous servings . Great with soup.
Main Benefits
Top nutrition note: olive oil provides heart healthy fats.
This is a winner among Savory Breads . It’s filling and simple.
Perfect for casual dinners, picnics, and sandwiches.
Use it as Sheet Pan Focaccia for easy sharing.
Also brilliant sliced with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella.
What makes this recipe special? It’s the oil.
The dimples trap flavor and make crust crisp.
High hydration gives an airy interior. That’s real magic.
This is my go-to Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe .
I bake it as Homemade Focaccia Bread for guests.
Sometimes I call it my Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia .
I learned patience helps the dough reward you.
Stretch and fold taught me texture and strength.
And the scent of olive oil fills the kitchen.
Ready to gather ingredients and get hands-on?
Next up: the ingredient list and step-by-step method.
Let’s move to ingredients and shape some tasty focaccia.
Ingredients & Equipment
I love talking ingredients like secrets. As my Nonna used to say, oil is love. This section lists what you need for a Classic Rosemary Sea-Salt Focaccia .
It reads like an Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe shopping list.
Main Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 cups (360 g) bread flour or all-purpose.
- 1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp (270 ml / 270 g) lukewarm water at 95– 105° F (35– 40° C) .
- 2 tsp (7 g) instant dry yeast.
- 1 tsp (6 g) fine sea salt.
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil for the dough.
For the pan and topping:
- 2 3 tbsp (30 45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil.
- 1 tsp (approx. 4 6 g) flaky sea salt.
- 1 2 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped.
Quality tips: use a fruity, fresh extra-virgin olive oil. Choose unbleached bread flour if you want stronger gluten. Pick flaky sea salt like Maldon for crunch.
Sniff your rosemary; it should smell bright.
This ingredient list makes a great Homemade Focaccia Bread . It works for Ligurian Focaccia and Sheet Pan Focaccia versions too.
Seasoning Notes
Essential combo: rosemary, sea salt, olive oil. Simple and perfect.
Want more punch? Add thin garlic slices and grated Parmesan.
For color and sweetness, press halved cherry tomatoes into the dough.
Flavor enhancers: lemon zest, toasted garlic oil, or a tiny balsamic drizzle.
Quick swaps: use 1 tsp dried rosemary for 1 2 tbsp fresh.
If out of EVOO, use light olive oil or avocado oil. Salt swap: kosher salt works, reduce by about 20%.
These tips help craft variations like Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia , Olive Oil Focaccia Recipe , or garlicky versions.
Equipment Needed
Essential tools only: a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 cm) rimmed baking pan, large mixing bowl, spatula, and a pastry brush.
A stand mixer is optional. A wooden spoon works fine.
Have measuring cups and a kitchen scale. An instant-read thermometer helps but is optional.
Household alternatives: use a half-sheet pan instead of the rimmed pan. Use oiled hands if you lack a brush. A bench scraper is handy, but a sturdy spatula will do.
This is all you need to nail this Focaccia Bread Recipe . Honest, it’s forgiving. Give it a try.
Cooking Method
Prep Steps
- Essential mise en place: measure 360 g flour, 270 ml water, 7 g yeast, 6 g salt, 45 ml olive oil. Have a 9 x 13-inch pan ready.
- Time saving tips: use a stand mixer. Oil your pan while dough rests. Do stretch-and-folds instead of heavy kneading.
- Safety reminder: water should be warm. Keep it at 95– 105° F (35– 40° C) . Preheat oven fully and use oven mitts.
step-by-step Process
- Mix flour, yeast, salt, water, and 3 tbsp oil until shaggy. Dough must be loose.
- Rest 10– 15 minutes , then do two sets of stretch & folds. Wet hands to handle.
- Bulk rise for about 1 1½ hours . Dough should look puffed and airy.
- Oil pan with 2 3 tbsp olive oil and transfer dough gently. Let relax 10– 15 minutes if it resists.
- Proof in pan for 30– 60 minutes until puffy and billowy.
- Dimple with oiled fingertips. Drizzle 1 2 tbsp olive oil. Scatter rosemary and flaky salt.
- Bake at 450° F ( 230° C) for 18– 25 minutes . Look for deep golden color. Internal goal 200 205° F (93– 96° C) .
Visual cues tell the story. The surface must be deep gold. Edges should be crisp. Bottom should sound hollow. Bubbles under the crust show good fermentation.
Pro Tips
- Technique 1: oil is everything. Generous oil equals crisp crust.
- Technique 2: keep the dough tacky. Use oiled hands while shaping.
- Technique 3: overnight retard builds flavor. Mix, refrigerate, bake next day.
Common mistakes to avoid: adding flour while shaping. Over-pressing dimples. Underbaking the center.
Make-ahead option: refrigerate dough overnight. Bring to room temp, shape, proof, bake.
I love this as my go-to Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe . Honestly, making Homemade Focaccia Bread changed my weeknight game. Try this Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia or a cheeky Olive Oil Focaccia Recipe .
If you want a crisp, golden sheet pan loaf, this Focaccia Bread Recipe nails it. This method works whether you crave Ligurian Focaccia , a high-hydration Focaccia Recipe , or simple Savory Breads .
Give it a go. You’ll smell Italy in your kitchen.
Recipe Notes
Fun fact: Focaccia comes from Liguria, Italy. It’s old-school and humble. I still remember the first time I nailed a Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia .
My kitchen smelled like a pizzeria. Honestly, that smell will hook you.
Serving Suggestions
Plating is chill. Cut the Focaccia Bread into squares. Stack pieces on a wooden board. Drizzle a little olive oil before serving.
Pair with tomato soup or a simple green salad. Use it for sandwiches. It’s perfect with prosciutto and mozzarella. For drinks, try a crisp Pinot Grigio or a pale ale.
This is a real Sheet Pan Focaccia vibe.
Storage Tips
Cool completely before storing. Wrap in foil or a baker’s cloth. Keep at room temp for up to 2 days.
For longer life, refrigerate up to 5 days. Warm slices gently in the oven. Use 350° F ( 175° C) for about 5– 7 minutes.
Freezing works great. Slice, wrap tightly, then freeze up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw, then bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 8– 10 minutes until warm.
Variations
Want dietary tweaks? Swap half the flour for whole wheat. Add 1 2 tablespoons more water. That makes a nuttier, denser loaf.
gluten-free option needs a blend. Use a cup-for-cup GF mix and xanthan gum. Adjust water; high absorption varies.
Seasonal swaps are fun. Summer: press halved cherry tomatoes into the dough. Autumn: scatter roasted garlic and sage. These ideas turn a simple Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe into a showstopper.
Nutrition Basics
Per serving, expect about 265 calories. Fat sits near 10 grams. Carbs are roughly 34 grams. It’s bread, not a diet plan.
Key benefits come from olive oil. Healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants shine. Add rosemary for anti inflammatory perks. This is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy healthy fats.
Closing thought this Homemade Focaccia Bread is forgiving. Embrace a little imperfection. My early attempts were lopsided and proud. Keep trying. You’ll get that perfect dimpling soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to get a crisp, olive oil kissed crust on my Focaccia Bread?
Generous oil is the secret oil the pan well and drizzle more into the dimples before baking so the surface fries slightly and turns golden. Bake in a very hot oven (about 450°F / 230°C) on the middle rack or on a preheated baking stone for good oven spring, and look for a deep golden colour and a hollow sound when you tap the bottom.
A final drizzle of olive oil after baking adds shine and that lovely fruity aroma perfect with an afternoon cuppa or a casual supper.
How do I get big airy bubbles and those signature dimples without tearing the dough?
Use a high-hydration dough and gentle handling: avoid adding extra flour when spreading and do a couple of stretch-and-folds during bulk rise to build strength. When shaping in the oiled pan, let the dough relax if it resists, then use well-oiled fingertips to press firm dimples push until your knuckles almost touch the pan in places so the oil pools in the wells.
Longer gentle fermentation (or an overnight retard) also helps produce large, irregular bubbles and a more flavourful crumb.
Can I make the dough ahead of time or chill it overnight?
Yes retarding the dough in the fridge for 12 24 hours is an easy way to deepen flavour and fit baking into your schedule; mix the dough, give it a short room-temperature rise, then cover and chill.
The next day bring it up to lukewarm (about 30 60 minutes), oil your pan, shape, and proof until puffy before baking. Tip: if you plan a very long cold ferment, reduce the yeast slightly to avoid overproofing.
How can I adapt the recipe for whole-wheat, gluten-free, or lower-calorie versions?
For whole-wheat, swap up to 50% of the flour and add 1 2 tbsp extra water and a bit more resting time expect a nuttier, denser crumb. For gluten-free, use a reliable cup-for-cup bread blend with xanthan or psyllium and follow the blend's hydration guidance; the focaccia will be denser and may need a slightly longer bake.
To reduce calories, trim the surface oil or cut into smaller portions remember much of the flavour comes from the olive oil, so balance reduction with desired texture and taste.
How many calories are in a serving of this Classic Rosemary Sea-Salt Focaccia Bread?
One serving (1 of 8 from a 9×13 pan) is approximately 265 kcal with about 10 g fat, 34 g carbs, and ~4.5 g protein, though exact numbers change with how much oil and toppings you use. Sodium is notable (around 580 mg) because of finishing salt use flaky salt sparingly if you need to watch sodium.
For lighter eats, serve smaller squares with a big salad or soup so a little focaccia goes a long way.
Classic Rosemary Seasalt Focaccia
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 265 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Carbs | 34 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 580 mg |