Super Easy No-Knead Focaccia Recipe
This Super Easy No-Knead Focaccia recipe offers a soft, flavorful Italian flatbread with a crispy golden crust, enhanced by fragrant rosemary and a salty olive oil topping. Perfect for beginners, this recipe requires minimal hands-on time and no kneading, relying on a long, slow fermentation in the refrigerator to develop its texture and flavor.
- Author: Viktoria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 19-24 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch or 10x12-inch pan focaccia (8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dough
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Yeast
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 2 cups Lukewarm water
- 4 tbsp Olive oil (divided)
Toppings
- Sea salt for sprinkling
- Rosemary for sprinkling (optional)
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, and sugar thoroughly to distribute the leavening and seasonings evenly.
- Add water and form dough: Pour the lukewarm water over the dry ingredients and mix well with a spatula until a sticky dough forms, ensuring all the flour is hydrated.
- Oil the dough surface: Drizzle one to two teaspoons of olive oil over the dough surface and rub it evenly to prevent drying and add flavor.
- Refrigerate for fermentation: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours to allow the dough to slowly ferment and develop complex flavor.
- Prepare the baking pan: Grease a 9” x 13” or 10” x 12” pan with olive oil and optionally line with parchment paper for easier removal. A non-stick pan can be used without parchment.
- Shape the dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Oil your hands with olive oil and gently pull the dough from the bowl sides. Fold the dough over itself, then turn the bowl a quarter turn and fold again. Repeat this for a total of five turns to build structure.
- Oil the pan and transfer the dough: Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the prepared pan. Place the dough in the pan and roll it around to coat with oil, ensuring even coverage.
- Proof the dough: Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles in size and fills the pan, approximately 2 to 4 hours (usually about 1.5 hours).
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 220°C (428°F) to preheat fully before baking.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle fresh rosemary evenly over the surface of the dough if using. Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top and spread evenly. Use your fingers to dimple the dough deeply across the surface to create the focaccia’s characteristic texture. Sprinkle sea salt on top.
- Bake the focaccia: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bottom is crispy.
- Cool and serve: Let the focaccia rest in the pan for 5 minutes after baking, then transfer to a cooling rack. Slice and serve warm or allow to cool completely for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- The long refrigeration time improves flavor and texture through slow fermentation; do not skip or shorten this step drastically.
- You can use fresh rosemary or dried rosemary for sprinkling on top.
- If you prefer a thinner focaccia, use a larger pan to spread the dough out more before proofing.
- Make sure water is lukewarm, about 100-110°F (37-43°C), to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Use olive oil generously to create a crispy, flavorful crust and prevent sticking.
- This focaccia keeps well for 2-3 days stored in an airtight container and can be reheated in an oven to restore crispness.
Keywords: no-knead focaccia, easy focaccia, rosemary focaccia, Italian bread, olive oil bread, homemade focaccia