Same-Day Focaccia Bread

🥖Crispy Edges, Pillowy Center

There’s something magical about pulling a tray of freshly baked focaccia out of the oven—golden, dimpled, and infused with olive oil and herbs. But what’s even better? When it only takes a few hours to make from scratch.

This same-day focaccia is soft and pillowy on the inside with that perfect crisp, golden bottom. It’s the kind of bread you can whip up on a weeknight and have ready by dinnertime—or make in the afternoon for a cozy evening spread with soup, salad, or pasta.

📝 Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for greasing and topping)

• 1 ¾ cups warm water

• Optional toppings:

  • Flaky sea salt

  • Dried oregano or rosemary

  • Thinly sliced garlic

  • Cherry tomatoes, olives, or caramelized onions

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Use a wooden spoon or your hands—it doesn't need to be perfectly smooth.

2. First Rise (1 Hour)

Drizzle the top of the dough with a little olive oil, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

3. Prepare the Pan

Generously grease a 9x13 baking dish (glass, ceramic, or metal all work!) with olive oil. Pour the risen dough into the dish and gently stretch it to the edges. Let it rest uncovered for 20–30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 425°F.

4. Dimple + Top

Using oiled fingers, press deep dimples into the surface of the dough. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with flaky salt, dried herbs, or your favorite toppings.

5. Bake

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the bottom is crisp. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

💡 Weeknight Homemaker Tips

• You can start this dough around 2-3pm and have fresh bread by dinner.

• Try topping half the focaccia one way (e.g., garlic + herbs) and the other half sweet (e.g., with rosemary + honey).

• Leftovers make the BEST sandwich bread the next day.

✨ Final Thoughts

This same-day focaccia proves that you don’t need a weekend or a sourdough starter to enjoy bakery-quality bread at home. It’s soft, fragrant, and made with pantry staples—perfect for elevating even the simplest meal into something special.

Let me know if you bake it—and what you topped yours with! I’d love to see how you make it your own.

— Lauren

@weeknight_homemaker