Ingredients
4 cups bread flour
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups very warm water (100–108°F)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons butter (for pan)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for pan)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (before baking)
2 tablespoons room temperature water (before baking)
Flaky or coarse sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, yeast, and sugar. Stir well.
- Add half the warm water and stir, then add the rest gradually until a shaggy dough forms. Add more water if needed.
- Drizzle in olive oil and stir to combine.
- Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
- Perform the first stretch and fold: lift and fold the dough over itself 4–5 times. Cover and let rest for 1 hour.
- Butter a 9×13-inch pan, line with parchment, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Perform another round of stretch and folds, transfer dough to prepared pan, flip to coat with oil, and lightly press to flatten. Cover and rise for another hour.
- Preheat oven to 500°F with rack in the center.
- After final rise, dimple dough deeply with oiled fingers. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons water over the top. Sprinkle flaky salt if using.
- Bake for 10–20 minutes, checking at 10 minutes. The focaccia should be golden brown.
- Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use all-purpose flour if bread flour is unavailable—texture may be slightly different.
- High hydration dough is sticky; avoid adding too much flour.
- Add toppings before baking: garlic, herbs, cheese, tomatoes, olives, etc.
- For best texture, cool slightly before slicing.
- Freezes well; slice before freezing for easy reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
