Soft and Fluffy Homemade Focaccia Bread Recipe

If you’re looking to bake the perfect bread at home, then this soft and fluffy homemade focaccia bread recipe is just what you need! Focaccia is a delightful Italian flatbread that’s known for its tender texture and aromatic flavors. In this easy-to-follow recipe, I’ll guide you through the process of creating a high-hydration dough that results in the softest, most delectable focaccia you’ve ever tasted. Keep reading to find out how to make your focaccia extra soft and fluffy.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure. Thank you for your support.

The Secret to Soft and Flavorful Focaccia

The secret to achieving the softest and most flavorful focaccia lies in the preparation process. This homemade focaccia bread recipe requires a little planning ahead but is definitely worth the extra effort.

The sponge method makes extra light and airy dough

To make the dough extra soft and airy, I like to use a starter dough before mixing the focaccia dough itself. This involves creating a mixture of flour, water, and a touch of yeast the day before or at least 4 hours before you plan to bake. Also known as a poolish or a sponge, it’s left to ferment overnight, allowing the flavors to develop.

The long, slow rise helps to foster air bubbles, resulting in that sought-after light and fluffy texture. So, while you’ll need a bit of patience, the incredible taste and tender crumb of this focaccia will make it all worth it. 

A high-hydration dough gives focaccia its signature dimples

High-hydration dough is a type of bread dough with a lot of water compared to the flour used. Usually, it has at least 75% water in relation to the flour.

The high water content makes the dough more liquid and sticky, allowing it to spread easily in the pan and create those signature dimples on the surface. The moisture in the dough also contributes to a soft and airy crumb, giving focaccia its characteristic light and chewy texture.

Resist the urge to add more flour when your dough looks too sticky. Instead, follow the mixing directions outlined below and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully crisp and dimpled golden crust, that’s perfect for holding pockets of rich olive oil, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

Using a stand mixer with a dough hook is essential for sticky dough

Using a stand mixer with a dough hook is a game-changer when working with high-hydration sticky dough. The dough’s high moisture content can make it challenging to mix and knead by hand, often resulting in a messy and time-consuming process. A stand mixer with a dough hook, however, effortlessly tackles this task, saving both time and effort. 

When you start mixing the dough, it’s going to look like a sticky mess, but after mixing for about 8-10 minutes, it magically transforms into a smooth and silky dough.

Delicious Focaccia Toppings Help Elevate Your Bread 

The toppings are what elevate this homemade focaccia to a whole new level of deliciousness.

• A drizzle of balsamic vinegar imparts a beautiful glaze to the bread’s surface.
• Thinly sliced onions bring a lovely caramelized flavor when baked.
• Juicy cherry tomatoes add a burst of freshness to every bite.
• A sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs (like thyme, rosemary, or oregano) adds a classic taste.

Endless possibilities with this versatile focaccia recipe

The beauty of this focaccia bread recipe lies in its incredible versatility. you can let your creativity shine by using various baking vessels such as a disposable pizza pan, a 9×13 baking dish, a sheet pan, a cast iron skillet, or even a cake pan – the possibilities are endless!

This adaptability ensures that you can create your own unique versions of this soft and fluffy bread, tailor-made to suit your tastes and available kitchen tools. 

Ingredients you need to make soft and fluffy focaccia bread

Before we start creating the perfect focaccia, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients we’ll be using. To make this mouthwatering focaccia bread, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• All-purpose flour- You might be surprised to learn that this recipe doesn’t call for bread flour. The dough is soft enough that it doesn’t need the structure that a high-protein flour, like bread flour, would give it. (you can substitute up to 1 cup of whole wheat flour)
• Salt- The best salt for topping focaccia is coarse sea salt. Coarse sea salt adds a delightful crunch and bursts of salty flavor to the surface of the bread
• Olive Oil- The best olive oil for focaccia is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• Instant yeast-The best yeast for making focaccia is active dry yeast or instant yeast. Both types of yeast work well in focaccia recipes and will yield excellent results.

Whether you prefer a classic version with cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs, or you want to experiment with different toppings like roasted garlic, olives, or cheese, this recipe is perfect for getting creative in the kitchen.