Italian Recipe
Homemade Italian Focaccia with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A soft, golden Italian flatbread with a lightly crisp exterior, fragrant rosemary, sea salt, and plenty of premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Homemade focaccia is a simple Italian staple that turns basic ingredients into something deeply satisfying.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Total Time
2 hours 15 minutes
Servings
6-8
Difficulty
Medium
What You Need
Ingredients
- 500 g all-purpose or bread flour
- 7 g active dry yeast
- 350 ml lukewarm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1½ tsp salt
- 4-5 tbsp premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more for the pan
- 1-2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- Flaky or coarse sea salt, to taste
How To Make It
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
Combine the lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let it stand for about 5 minutes. Add the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Don't worry if the dough feels slightly sticky. Focaccia dough should remain soft and hydrated.
Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it. Let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has noticeably increased in size.
Prepare the Baking Tray
Generously coat a baking tray with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Transfer the risen dough to the tray and gently stretch it towards the edges. Let it rest for another 20-30 minutes.
Create the Classic Focaccia Dimple
Drizzle more Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the surface. Using your fingertips, gently press deep dimples into the dough. Scatter fresh rosemary and sea salt over the top.
Bake the Focaccia
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden on top and lightly crisp around the edges.
Finish With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Remove the focaccia from the oven and drizzle a little more premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the warm surface. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Good To Know
Tips & Notes
The Italian Secret: Olive Oil at Every Stage
Good focaccia is not simply bread with olive oil added at the end.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil helps create the characteristic texture, aroma, and golden surface that make focaccia so enjoyable.
Use a good-quality oil in the dough, on the baking tray, and as a finishing drizzle.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
How To Serve
Serving Suggestions
- Antipasto with olives and vegetables
- Side dish for soups and salads
- Bread for Italian sandwiches
- Aperitivo with friends and family
- Snack with a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Story
Why Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil Matters
Focaccia uses simple ingredients, which makes the flavour of the olive oil especially noticeable.
A premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil adds aroma, fruitiness, and a gentle peppery character while helping create the rich, golden crust associated with good focaccia.
Radice's Classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, from Basilicata in Southern Italy, is an Ogliarola and Coratina blend. Its balanced green character makes it well suited to both baking and finishing rustic Italian bread.
A Simple Taste of Italy
Good flour. Fresh yeast. Rosemary. Sea salt. Exceptional Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
That's the beauty of Italian cooking: simple ingredients can create something unforgettable.
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