What’s better than homemade bread? How about this Amazingly Easy Zesty Focaccia Bread! A thick, airy, flat Italian bread that can be topped with some savory ingredients to make this your new garlic bread or roll substitute. Prep time includes time for bread to rise.
Combine warm water, yeast (See Note 1) and the sugar in a small bowl. Put the bowl in a warm, draft-free place until the yeast is bubbling and aromatic, for 15 minutes. (See Note 2) At this point I usually set the oven to 200°F for a few minutes to warm up and then turn it off before I start making the dough. This is where I’ll let the dough rise (See Note 3).
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the flour, kosher salt, 1/2 cup olive oil and the yeast mixture on low speed. Once the dough has come together, continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes on a medium speed until it becomes smooth and soft.
Transfer the dough to a clean, floured surface and knead by hand 1 or 2 times. Sprinkle with flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
Lightly coat olive oil on the inside of the mixer bowl and add the dough to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour. (See Note 3)
Coat a baking sheet with edges or a jelly roll pan with the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Put the dough onto the jelly roll pan and begin pressing it out to fit the size of the pan with your hands, spreading your fingers out and make finger holes all the way through the dough.
Put the dough in the warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour. While the dough is rising a second time, preheat the oven to 425°F.
At this point either sprinkle the top of the focaccia with some coarse sea salt and lightly drizzle a little oil on top or add toppings of choice (See Note 4). Bake the dough about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool before cutting and serving.
Video
Notes
1. One quarter ounce (7g) packet of active dry yeast contains approximately 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 teaspoons. The measurement will not be exact as yeast is packaged according to weight rather than volume. One quarter ounce (7g) packet of yeast is sufficient to raise 4 cups, approximately 1-pound, of flour. 2. I place the bowl in my microwave and DO NOT turn it on. 3. Turn your EMPTY dryer on for 2-3 minutes to heat it up. When stopped and heated up, carefully place the covered bowl of dough in and close the door. DO NOT turn the dryer on again! Tip from Nagi over @RecipeTin Eats. 4. As shown in the video I brushed marinara sauce on top lightly, added olives, and cheese.