Same-Day Focaccia Bread

Same-day, minimal ingredient, simple focaccia bread recipe — perfect for beginners.

True story: my first focaccia bread was rushed and poorly executed. I posted my fail online as satire and it landed nearly 1 million views, and still circulates my notifications to this day.

Ingredients

• 4 cups bread flour

• 1 ¾ cups warm water (100°F-110°F for active dry yeast)

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (or 1 packet)

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 2 tbsp olive oil for dough + extra for oiling the bowl & dimpling

• Toppings (optional): flaky salt, fresh rosemary, tomatoes

• Equipment: large mixing bowl, 9×13” baking pan, dishcloth to cover

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: in your mixing bowl, add: warm water, yeast, honey. Stir gently & allow to sit ~10 minutes or until the yeast mixture becomes foamy.

2. Once the yeast is activated, to the same bowl add: bread flour, salt, 2 tbsp olive oil. If using a stand mixer, mix on low using the dough hook until all the ingredients are combined, then increase to a speed of 2 and allow to knead for 8-10 minutes.

3. First rise: oil the bowl, cover and let rise ~1 ½ hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.

4. Transfer to your greased baking pan and stretch out across the pan. Cover loosely again and allow to rise for about another hour.

5. Drizzle more olive oil on top, and use clean fingertips to create dimples in the dough and create that traditional focaccia texture. At this point add any toppings of choice.

6. Bake at 425°F for ~22-28 minutes. Let cool ~10-15 minutes before slicing.