Traditional Italian Focaccia – Our Easy, Fluffy and Delicious Recipe

Imagine a soft, golden, and fragrant Italian focaccia filling your kitchen with its irresistible aroma straight from the oven. Perfect to accompany your meals or to share as an appetizer, this quick and easy Italian recipe elevates the simplicity of high-quality Italian ingredients.

 Make it your own: fresh herbs, olives, or cherry tomatoes for an even more flavorful and authentic result!

“Sunday afternoons at our place often smell like fresh focaccia. Little Rose, ever curious and always hungry, can’t resist sneaking a bite the moment my back is turned! That’s her little secret stamp of approval—if she’s munching, the recipe’s a winner.”

— Casa Bandera, from our Famiglia to yours

Homemade Focaccia: a soft and aromatic Italian specialty

Origin and Tradition

Among the treasures of Italian cuisine, focaccia holds a unique place. Originating from the stunning Liguria region, it is more than just bread: it is a symbol of warmth, sharing, and conviviality at the heart of Italian culture. Often considered the ancestor of pizza, it shares the same basic ingredients, but its soft texture and delicate preparation make it stand out entirely.

Also read: Homemade Margherita Pizza – Easy Recipe

Traditionally, focaccia is enjoyed plain, simply drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and sometimes fresh rosemary. But its golden, airy surface invites endless variations: black olives, cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, cheeses, aromatic herbs… Each version tells a story and reflects the soul of the person preparing it.

Making focaccia at home lets you enjoy crispy bread on the outside and incredibly tender on the inside, scented with olive oil. It’s also the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity: as an appetizer, a side, or topped as a main dish, it always brings a touch of Dolce Vita to your table.

Also read: 5 Easy & Authentic Italian Antipasti Recipes

Here’s the detailed recipe from Casa Bandera, to help you master this iconic focaccia with homemade dough and carefully selected ingredients. In my kitchen, every gesture recalls the love and tradition of my nonna, and every bite tells an Italian story.

▶︎

1 Pour the flour into a large mixing bowl. Crumble the fresh yeast directly into the flour, then mix to distribute evenly.

2 In a separate container, add the salt to the room-temperature water and stir until completely dissolved. Gradually pour the salted water into the bowl with the flour and yeast, mixing as you go with a wooden spoon.

3 Add the olive oil, then mix until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous dough.

4 Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes, until it becomes soft and slightly elastic.

5 Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

6 After 30 minutes, perform 3 to 4 folds (fold the dough over itself). Cover again with the damp towel.

7 Wait another 30 minutes, then repeat the folding process. Cover once more and let the dough rest for 1 hour and 30 minutes at room temperature.

8 Oil a baking sheet, then transfer the dough onto it, shaping it into a circular form. With slightly wet fingers, press into the dough to create small indentations all over the surface.

9 Add the olives, halved cherry tomatoes, rosemary, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of coarse salt.

10 Preheat the oven to 220 °C (425 °F) using convection mode, then bake the focaccia in the center of the oven for about 25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying it with cured meats, burrata, cherry tomatoes, and olives.

Also read: 12 Must-Have Tools to Cook Italian at Home

Recommended wine pairing with a traditional Italian focaccia

To elevate the flavors of your focaccia, pair it with a dry Italian white wine like a Vermentino or a Prosecco. The combination with olive oil and rosemary will transport your taste buds straight to Italy. Tip: enjoy this moment with friends or family for a true Dolce Vita at home!

Also read: 5 Classic Italian Desserts from Nonna You Must Try

Buon Appetito !

Our Mouthwatering Pasta Recipes!

Discover secret Italian recipes to create delicious and unforgettable dishes. Quick, easy, and tasty: your dinner will get applause from everyone!

Discover our pasta recipes that will impress