Description
This Pizza Dough Focaccia Bread is a simple yet flavorful Italian classic made with homemade or store-bought pizza dough. Enhanced with extra virgin olive oil, flaky sea salt, and optional fresh toppings like rosemary, olives, and cherry tomatoes, this focaccia is perfect as a side, snack, or base for creative toppings. It features a delightfully crispy crust with characteristic dimples that hold all the delicious oil and toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (divided; use high quality for best results)
- 2 tsp flaky sea salt (or coarse sea salt)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh rosemary
- Sliced red onions or shallots
- Pitted olives
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh or roasted garlic
- Shredded parmesan cheese
- Sliced sweet or spicy peppers
Instructions
- Prep Dough: Prepare homemade pizza dough using your preferred recipe or use store-bought dough. If using store-bought, let it rest for 30-45 minutes in a warm spot, removing it from its packaging so it can come to room temperature and become pliable.
- Mold dough to the Pan: Generously coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Place the dough in the pan and gently stretch it toward the edges. If it resists stretching, let it rest for 10-15 minutes and try again. Cover the dough with a damp towel and allow it to rest and rise for 45-60 minutes.
- Create the Dimples: Pour 4 tablespoons of olive oil over the top of the dough. Using your fingertips, press straight down repeatedly into the dough to create many dimples, resembling piano key motions. This step helps trap the oil and toppings in the indentations, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Topping Options: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary for a classic focaccia. Alternatively, add your favorite toppings such as sliced red onions, shallots, pitted olives, cherry tomatoes, fresh or roasted garlic, assorted herbs, shredded parmesan cheese, or sliced sweet or spicy peppers to customize your focaccia.
- Bake the Focaccia: Bake in a preheated oven at 450ËšF (232ËšC) for 22-25 minutes until the focaccia is golden brown and crisp on the edges. For a crunchier crust, aim for the full 25 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool and rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Resting times for the dough are crucial for a light, airy texture.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor impact.
- Dimples not only add texture but hold the flavorful oil and toppings well.
- You can experiment with various herbs and toppings to suit your taste.
- Serve focaccia warm or at room temperature as an appetizer, side, or sandwich bread.
