Super Easy Focaccia 🥖🌿

This Super Easy Focaccia is the epitome of bread-making: simple, flavorful, and absolutely delightful! With a golden, crispy crust and a soft, airy interior, it's perfect for dipping, sandwiches, or simply enjoying with a drizzle of olive oil. Customize it with your favorite herbs and toppings, and you have a homemade treat that will impress everyone!

Ingredients

For the bread

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 3/4 cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (plus more for drizzling)

For the topping

• Fresh rosemary (or your favorite herbs)
• Coarse sea salt
• Optional: Cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic, or any toppings you prefer!

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and sea salt.
• Pour in the warm water and olive oil, and mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

🥄 This dough will be quite sticky, so don’t worry about kneading; just mix until everything is well combined!

• Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for about 1-2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.

• Once risen, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

• Generously grease a baking sheet or a large cast-iron skillet with olive oil.

• Transfer the dough onto the oiled baking sheet and gently spread it out with your fingers, making dimples in the surface.

✋ Use your fingertips to make the dimples deep; this will hold the olive oil and toppings beautifully!

• Drizzle olive oil over the top, and sprinkle with coarse sea salt, fresh rosemary, and any other toppings you desire.

• Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until the focaccia is golden brown and has a delightful aroma wafting through your kitchen.

• Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving!

🍽️ Serve warm with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, or use it for a delicious sandwich!

Variations

• Herb-Infused: Mix in dried herbs like oregano or thyme into the dough for extra flavor!
• Cheesy: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or mozzarella on top before baking for a cheesy twist.
• Sweet: Add a sprinkle of sugar and a handful of carmelized onions or sweet figs for a sweet focaccia treat.
• Gluten-free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it contains xanthan gum for best results.
• Add a kick: Top it with thin slices of jalapeños or sprinkle with chili flakes for a spicy focaccia experience! 🌶️

Enjoy your delicious, homemade focaccia! It’s sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen! 🎉