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Home » Sourdough Bread Recipes

Beginner’s Guide To Sourdough Focaccia Bread

Sourdough Bread Recipes

4.9 from 162 reviews
405 comments
By Emilie Raffa — Updated March 1, 2025 — This post may contain affiliate links.
Jump to Recipe

Let’s bake my easy sourdough focaccia recipe, step-by-step. No kneading, no shaping, no Dutch oven. Just golden crisp edges, a light airy crumb, and a simple overnight rise naturally leavened with active starter. Adapted from my bestselling book Artisan Sourdough Made Simple.

Sourdough focaccia with rosemary and garlic on a sheet pan

If you’re new to sourdough bread and want an easy, no-knead recipe to expand your repertoire, my sourdough focaccia is you next move. Crisp edges, soft center and perfect, tangy flavor.

Adapted from my book Artisan Sourdough Made Simple, I often recommend this recipe to beginners- there’s no kneading, no scoring, no Dutch oven. Just a handful of ingredients, a bread pan (or not) and some hands off time to let the dough rise. You can start right now.

At home, I make sourdough focaccia at least once a week to serve alongside cozy soups and sourdough pasta dishes. Leftovers become golden homemade croutons, fluffy breadcrumbs or sourdough pizza crust (more sourdough bread recipes here). That aside, poking soft, squishy focaccia dough is wildly therapeutic! Let’s make it together, step-by-step.

Sourdough focaccia squares with garlic and rosemary

How To Get A Sourdough Starter For this Recipe

A sourdough bread recipe of any kind cannot be made without a sourdough starter.

You have two options: make one from scratch (see my beginner sourdough starter recipe), buy one online or get some from a fellow baker. Even bakeries sell starters. If you already have one, and need assistance for ongoing care, read my companion articles, Feeding Sourdough: My Best Tips & Tricks and Troubleshooting Sourdough Starter.

My Sourdough Focaccia Tips

Tip #1: Plan ahead. Feed your starter a few days in advance prior to making the focaccia dough. This will ensure a vibrant starter that’s strong enough to make the dough rise.

Tip #2: Use regular olive oil (no extra virgin). It has a higher smoke point and is less likely to burn the top and bottom of your focaccia.

Tip #3: Pick the right pan. Sourdough focaccia can be baked on a regular rimmed sheet pan or a rectangular metal pan (e.g. brownie pan). If using the latter option, I suggest this non-stick pan by Lloyds which I’ve been using for years. It’s truly non-stick and makes the crispiest crust!

Sourdough focaccia dough

How to Make Sourdough Focaccia {Step-By-Step Recipe}

Step 1: Make The Dough

In the evening: whisk the sourdough starter, water and honey together in a large bowl (I use a fork for mixing). Add the flour and salt. Mix to combine and then finish by hand to form a rough dough. It will be wet and sticky.

Cover and let rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Timing is flexible here. Then work the dough into a ball. Again, it will be sticky!

When finished, transfer the dough to a lightly oiled dough container or just keep it in the same mixing bowl. It’s up to you. The next step is to let the dough rise.

Sourdough focaccia dough in a high sided dough tub

Step 2: Bulk Rise (Overnight)

Rest the dough at room temperature and let rise overnight on your countertop. For focaccia, the dough should double or triple in size. This will take approximately 12+ hrs @ 68 F (20C).

Note: the warmer the temperature, the faster the dough will rise. So for example, if your current room temperature is 80 F (27 C), the 12+ rise time mentioned above would not apply to your specific environment. Not even close. The rise time would be shorter, say 3-4 hrs. Watch the dough, not the clock!

Diving Deeper: Why Won’t My Sourdough Bread Rise?

Sourdough focaccia dough resting on an oiled sheetpan

Step 3: Second Rise (In The Pan)

In the morning: oil a rimmed sheet pan. I use my hands to evenly coat the bottom and sides. Then place the dough onto the pan and flip it over to coat both sides. You do not need to pull or stretch the dough to fit the pan. The dough needs to relax first, which happens naturally in the next step.

Cover the dough (I use an inverted sheet pan instead of wrap. It doesn’t touch the dough). Let rest for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until puffy. Preheat your oven to 425 F (220 C).

Note: I like to rest my dough in a warm spot, usually on top of the oven while it preheats. The dough becomes more soft and bubbly.

Tip: Instead of a sheet pan, you can bake sourdough focaccia in a non-stick rectangular pan instead (9 x 13- inch or 10 x 14-inch).

Dimpled sourdough focaccia dough on an oiled sheet pan
Sourdough focaccia dough with rosemary and garlic

Step 4: Assemble The Focaccia

Right before baking, gently dimple the dough with oiled fingertips. As you dimple, the dough will naturally begin to stretch outward. Continue (gently!) until you’ve created a rustic rectangular or oval shape. The dough won’t go all the way to the corners and sides of the sheet pan, which is fine.

If using toppings, press them into the dough. As the dough rises it will puff up, so the toppings need to be well anchored. Press down deeper than you’d think. Otherwise they will pop out!

Sourdough focaccia

Step 5: Bake The Focaccia

In the oven, set the dough on the center rack. Bake the focaccia for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack so the underside does not steam for at least 30 minutes. Cut into wedges or squares, and serve warm with dipping oil, if preferred. Delicious!

How to Par-Bake Sourdough Focaccia

Want to prep ahead and bake later? Par-baking is a game changer for serving fresh, warm bread at dinnertime. And it’s perfect for stress free entertaining. Here’s how:

  • Bake for 15-18 minutes at 425 F (220 C). The crust should be set but pale, with a golden bottom.
  • Cool completely on a wire rack to prevent the underside from steaming.
  • Wrap and store at room temperature for up to 6 hours.
  • Finish baking in the pan for 12-15 minutes, until golden and crisp.

Sample Sourdough Baking Schedules

The key to sourdough is timing. Here are 2 sample baking schedules to follow and adapt according to season. In my experience, the overnight method is best in cooler temperatures (the dough can survive a long rise without becoming over proofed in the morning). The daytime method is best in warmer temperatures when the dough rises faster. As a rule of thumb, temperature controls time and ultimately: your baking schedule.

Fall/Winter (overnight method)

  • 4-6:00 PM: Feed starter
  • 8:00 PM: Make the dough
  • 8:30 PM: Let rise overnight (bulk rise)
  • 8:30 AM (the next day): Inspect the dough. Does it need more time to rise? If so, give it more time, otherwise continue on.
  • 9:00-11 AM: Second Rise
  • 11:30 AM: Par-bake or Bake.

Spring/Summer (daytime method)

  • 8 AM: Feed starter
  • 10 AM: Make the dough
  • 10:30 AM: Let rise during the day (bulk rise)
  • 3:00 PM (onwards): Second rise
  • 5:00 PM: Par-bake or Bake

What To Bake Next?

If you haven’t tried it yet, have a go at my beginner sourdough bread recipe for a golden, crackly loaf with a plush interior crumb, my glossy, NY-style sourdough bagels and the highly popular: soft and gooey sourdough cinnamon rolls that you’ll need a hundred napkins for.

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Sourdough focaccia

Beginner’s Guide To Sourdough Focaccia Bread

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 162 reviews
  • Author: Emilie Raffa
  • Prep Time: 15 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large focaccia 1x
  • Category: Sourdough Bread Recipes
  • Method: Oven-Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

Master the best easy sourdough focaccia bread—soft, fluffy, and naturally leavened with bubbly, active sourdough starter. This step-by-step recipe includes an overnight rise, no kneading, and simple tips for par-baking the dough. Adapted from my bestselling book Artisan Sourdough Made Simple.


Ingredients

  • 50–75 g bubbly, active sourdough starter
  • 375 g water (see Notes below)
  • 20 g honey (optional)
  • 500 g bread flour or all purpose flour (see Notes below)
  • 9 g fine sea salt
  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil, for coating the pan
  • Assorted Toppings (optional): rosemary, garlic cloves, flaky seat salt, tomatoes, olives etc.

Notes:

  • Thoughts on Flour: You can use bread flour or all purpose flour to make sourdough focaccia. Comparatively speaking, bread flour yields a slightly chewier focaccia with a higher rise. All purpose flour creates a more tender focaccia. The choice is up to you. If you prefer to use all purpose flour, I do recommend King Arthur brand. Coming in at over 11.7% protein, this flour is stronger than most all purpose flours, which means it can handle a higher quantity of water without the dough becoming a gloppy mess. It’s actually stronger than most bread flours! If you cannot access this flour, make the following changes to ensure success: decrease the water to 325-350 g (start small and work your way up) OR use King Arthur bread flour with 375 g water instead.
  • Thoughts on Sourdough Starter (quantity): When the weather is cold, I’ll use a higher amount of starter to give the dough a boost when doing a long, overnight rise. I’ve given you a range so you can decide what suits you best.
  • For Baking: You will need a rimmed sheet pan or non-stick rectangular pan (9×13-inch or 10×14-inch)


Instructions

Before you begin: decide when you want to make the dough. The instructions (below) outline a long, overnight rise @ 68-70 F (20-21 C) Alternatively, you can rise the dough during the day. Please refer to the sample schedules in the post above and choose what suits your needs.

  1. Make the Dough: In the evening: whisk the sourdough starter, water and honey together in a large bowl (I use a fork for mixing). Add the flour and salt. Mix to combine and then finish by hand to form a rough dough. It will be wet and sticky. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes to an hour. Timing is flexible here. Then return to the bowl and work the dough into a ball.  
  2. Bulk Rise: Cover the bowl of dough with lightly oiled plastic wrap (or transfer the dough to a lightly oiled dough container). Let the dough rise overnight at room temperature, approximately 68-70 F (20-21 C) for about 12+ hours. The dough will double in size (or more) when ready. Note: if the weather is warmer than 68- 70 F (20-21 C) the dough will rise faster than 12+ hrs. Please adjust your timeframes accordingly.
  3. Second Rise: In the morning, pour 2 tbsp. of olive oil onto a rimmed sheet pan (or 1 tbsp. olive oil if using a non-stick rectangular pan). Use your hands to evenly coat the bottom and sides. With your oiled hands, remove the dough onto the pan, and then flip it to coat both sides. Cover and let rest for 1 1/2- 2 hours or until very puffy (I use an inverted sheet pan to cover the dough). Preheat your oven to 425 F (220 C). Note: I like to rest my dough in a warm spot, usually on top of the oven while it preheats. The dough becomes soft and bubbly. 
  4. Assemble the Focaccia: Right before baking, gently dimple the dough with oiled fingertips. I start at the bottom of the pan and work my way to the top. As you dimple, the dough will naturally begin to stretch outwards. You should end up with a rustic rectangular or oval shape, about 14 x 9-inches (36 x 23 cm) or larger. The dough won’t go all the way to the corners and sides of the sheet pan- this is OK. Note: If using a rectangular pan, the dough will naturally fill the shape of the pan.
  5. Add Focaccia Toppings (optional): Press your preferred toppings into the dough. As the focaccia rises, the dough will puff up. The toppings will pop out if not properly anchored. If using garlic, I keep the cloves wrapped in their papery peels to prevent burning. Remove and discard the peels before eating.
  6. Bake the Focaccia: Place the dough onto the center rack. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before cutting. TIP: To par-bake focaccia dough: Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes @ 425 F (220 C). The crust will be set, very pale in color and golden underneath. Remove the focaccia from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Once completely cool, wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 6 hrs. To finish, return to the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.
  7. To serve, cut the focaccia into wedges or squares and enjoy warm!

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    Comments

  1. Raina says

    December 24, 2024 at 7:56 pm

    Oh wow! Fabulous! Used King Arthur AP flour bc I like it softer but I will make with bread flour sometime just to see the difference. I topped with bbq chicken, bacon, green onion, yellow peppers and cheddar, and served bbq sauce on the side.

    Reply
  2. Christy says

    December 21, 2024 at 11:16 am

    Hi! Quick question. If I am par baking… do I put my toppings on before or after the par bake?

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      December 21, 2024 at 12:21 pm

      Hi there! It depends on what they are, but if you want them to stick to the dough it’s better to put them on when par baking.

      Reply
      • Christy says

        December 21, 2024 at 12:41 pm

        Doing cherry tomatoes and rosemary

        Reply
        • Kayla says

          January 22, 2025 at 5:54 pm

          I peeled my garlics and put them in olive oil cooked on low on stove for 20 mins. Left them sitting overnight and I pushed them onto my dough and they did not burn the whole 30 mins.

          Reply
  3. Leslye says

    December 19, 2024 at 2:57 pm

    I have the dumbest question. I want to use garlic like this but I don’t like the idea of leaving the papery skins on. Obviously you remove them before eating but does that mean you pick them out and remove the skins and replace them before serving to people? Or you’re just reminding people to remove their garlic skin before enjoying? haha seems so tacky.

    Reply
  4. Tasnim says

    December 19, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    Today was the the third time that I made the focaccia recipe. Really amazing flavour. I put a few slices of tomato and jakepeno slices on top which added a nice flavour as well.

    Reply
  5. Sam Readman says

    December 7, 2024 at 3:38 pm

    I’ve made this three times now, topped with a combination of garlic, rosemary and black pepper mixed together in olive oil and drizzled on top before baking. It’s my go-to for my daily bread with eggs, and it’s a showstopper at gatherings. Great recipe. I baked it today at double the quantities of ingredients and it turned out perfect. Thanks so much for this. I’ve been using your website for sourdough baking for years now! ♥️

    Reply
    • Ellen says

      April 29, 2025 at 8:50 pm

      Hi! What difference will including the honey vs. omitting it create in the focaccia?

      Reply
  6. Diana Fraser says

    November 25, 2024 at 11:22 am

    Can’t wait to try this…i am going to a holiday party and will dress it with homemade cranberry sauce, goat cheese, brie, pecans and rosemary! Yum!!

    Reply
  7. Hamish Hornsby says

    November 24, 2024 at 5:48 am

    after the bulk rise there was a thin skin on top is that ok will it affect the outcome
    of the bread

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      November 24, 2024 at 8:41 am

      Hi there! It depends on what it looks and feels like. If it’s dry, yes. You don’t want to work that into the dough. Can you peel it off? Or parts of it at least? The reason this happened was because the surface of your dough was exposed to too much air during the rising process. This can happen. Next time, cover the bowl of dough with lightly oiled plastic wrap (or a reusable wrap of your choice). Alternatively, use a high sided dough tub with lid. Both options will keep the dough airtight.

      Reply
  8. Shannon says

    November 19, 2024 at 6:59 am

    I absolutely adore this recipe. It always produces the bubbliest and yummiest focaccia. I’ll usually top mine with marinara, cheese, and pepperoni-effectively making the most amazing tasting pizza I’ve ever had. My family requests it once a week and honestly, I love it because it hardly takes any work for something so impressive, haha! 10/10 recipe, thank you!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      November 25, 2024 at 1:53 pm

      oh please share the amounts of add ons and when you put them on. This sounds delish!

      Reply
      • Shannon says

        November 26, 2024 at 9:28 am

        Absolutely! I more or less measure with my heart, haha! I wait until it’s done rising and ready to go in the oven and I spoon on some marinara and sometimes I’ll add some spots of pesto and ricotta. Then I dimple the dough, getting all that sauce and cheese deep down into the crust. Then I’ll top it with mozzarella until I barely see the sauce and then throw some pepperoni on top of that. I usually keep it in the oven a little longer than the recipe suggests to make sure everything is melty and perfect. My best advice is to pull it out when the cheese starts turning golden. I hope you enjoy it as much as we all do!

        Reply
  9. Leslie says

    November 4, 2024 at 2:13 pm

    Success!! Love the thorough directions and recipe. I wanted a more tender crumb, so took your advice to make with all purpose flour; water at 350 g, and 75 g starter.

    I added katamala and green olives; they looked beautiful but were too much of a distraction to the great sourdough flavor of the bread. Fresh rosemary was nice. My husband suggested cheddar and jalapeño focaccia next time.

    Reply
  10. Amy Karabinas says

    October 28, 2024 at 3:10 pm

    Hi! Great recipe, my second time making it. Just a suggestion, in the last instruction where you put the focaccia in the oven, you say to put the “dough” on the middle risk. I think you meant to put the pan containing the dough there. I did it with the pan both times, because I didn’t see how the recipe would work otherwise. But, since this is a beginner’s guide, you might want to fix that.

    Reply
    • kristen says

      November 27, 2024 at 11:58 pm

      Girl. I don’t think anyone is that much of a beginner

      Reply
      • Eve says

        January 24, 2025 at 6:46 pm

        😂😂😂😂😂 Great recipe. I just used carmelized onions, rosemary, and sea salt. Delicious.

        Reply
  11. Sparky says

    October 28, 2024 at 2:48 pm

    Used this recipe. Came out amazing. My new favorite kind of sourdough. Thanks!

    Reply
  12. tamara says

    October 17, 2024 at 2:33 am

    lovely and simple to make

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      October 17, 2024 at 7:05 am

      Thank you Tamara! 🥰

      Reply
  13. Tresa says

    October 15, 2024 at 8:23 pm

    I have a question! I’ve made this before and loved it! I’ve mostly switched to extra virgin olive oil which has a much lower smoke point than regular olive oil. Would it be okay to cook at 356 for longer?

    Reply
    • Karen Powell says

      November 7, 2024 at 2:49 pm

      I use avocado oil. Sourdough really needs to be baked at high temp

      Reply
      • Tresa Malone says

        November 26, 2024 at 9:10 am

        Thank you! I do too at this point and just have olive oil and vinegar out for dipping if in using it that way!

        Reply
  14. Erin says

    October 10, 2024 at 6:22 am

    This turned out the best focaccia. I’ve ever made. Beautiful, delicious crust with a beautiful, airy crumb. Too good!! I’ve never left a review on anything before, but I did for this post because it’s that good. The world needs this bread!

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      October 10, 2024 at 8:43 am

      Ahhh, love this Erin! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  15. Daniil says

    September 21, 2024 at 2:14 pm

    I got into sourdough baking this year, and this is definitely my favourite recipe. I’ve made it so many times, it never fails, and you can put anything on it. I recently made an apple-cinnamon focaccia. Also everyone who has tried this has always been really happy and told me that it tastes amazing!

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      September 21, 2024 at 3:32 pm

      OMG apple cinnamon sounds amazing. I need to try that! Thanks for sharing, Daniil. I’m glad you’ve found your recipe ;)

      Reply
  16. Michela says

    September 20, 2024 at 3:40 pm

    Hi! If I dont have a baking sheet or brownie pan as the ones mentioned here, can I use a rectangular glass Pyrex´?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michela says

      October 1, 2024 at 12:17 pm

      Please help! I want to bake it this weekend but don’t know if I will ruin it by using a glass baking dish. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Emilie Raffa says

        October 1, 2024 at 1:23 pm

        Hi there! Yes, you can (the texture will be slightly different). I would butter and oil the bottom and sides of the pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking. And of course, make sure your particular pan can heat up to high baking temperatures. Enjoy!

        Reply
  17. Shelbie says

    September 19, 2024 at 6:52 pm

    I’ve used this recipe countless times. I started out making focaccia but I frequently make pizza with it now and it is ALWAYS requested by those that have had it. Including my super picky niece and stepson!

    Reply
  18. Patrick says

    September 16, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    Has anyone tried to par bake and then freeze before doing a final bake? I’ve done it with the pizza recipe and turned out ok, curious if anyone has experience with this method with the focaccia.

    Reply
  19. Katie says

    September 6, 2024 at 12:09 pm

    This was sooooooooo good! I doubled the recipe and topped mine with melted garlic butter, basil, and Parmesan. Great recipe.

    Reply
  20. Mary says

    August 27, 2024 at 9:23 pm

    Made this focaccia today. Delicious! I used halved cherry tomatoes and rosemary. Turned out great

    Reply
  21. Kylinn says

    August 22, 2024 at 2:16 pm

    She never misses and this recipe is no exception!! So easy and straight forward. Extremely forgiving recipe/dough type so you don’t have to worry about mucking it up if you’re newer to sourdough. Texture is fabulous and chewy and crispy on the bottom. I always have to bake this recipe slightly longer than suggested or broil for a few minutes to get it browned on top but otherwise perfect recipe! She won’t steer you wrong.

    Reply
  22. Vange Langford says

    August 17, 2024 at 10:42 am

    Absolutely delicious my only negative was dough stuck to sheet pan despite plenty of oil. I will use baking paper next time & maybe put on lowest rack to guarantee bottom remains crisp – maybe …

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      October 1, 2024 at 1:25 pm

      Hi there! Thanks for your feedback. Yes: this happens sometimes. In my experience, it has to do with how long the dough sits on the pan for before baking- it soaks up the oil causing the dough to stick. Parchment paper will solve this problem instantly. And perhaps, now that I’m thinking about it, remove the paper towards the end of baking allowing the bottom to crisp up further. The lowest rack will help too.

      Reply
  23. Estella Ringger says

    August 14, 2024 at 1:56 pm

    just to confirm, are there no stretch and folds in this recipe?

    Reply
    • Kylinn says

      August 22, 2024 at 2:18 pm

      No stretch and folds. Don’t want to form much protein structure for focaccia.

      Reply
      • Nicole Schneider says

        November 30, 2024 at 4:58 am

        I always do three sets of stretch and folds and it turns out perfect every time. I also use king a bread flour. The honey makes the bread last longer but it isn’t necesssry if you have a strong starter.

        Reply
    • Monica says

      September 16, 2024 at 12:28 pm

      Clear and easy . I have made this four times already, for company. I live in Italy, so it’s a tough crowd, and they all loved it! Thank you!

      Reply
  24. Sarah says

    August 14, 2024 at 10:50 am

    Delicious and simple. I love how fluffy and light the dough became. I used green olives stuffed with jalepenos and garlic and garlic cloves and the focaccia turned out amazing. My husband told me I could skip sourdough and just make this. 🤣

    Reply
  25. Rosie says

    August 13, 2024 at 9:11 pm

    Hi Emilie,

    New to sourdough, and found the idea of baking one of these recipes very intimidating, to where I fed my starter for weeks before doing anything with it. Finally tried this recipe and although the taste is awesome, the texture’s all wrong 🙈—it’s dense and chewy. Any insights as to where I may have gone wrong?

    Thank you!
    Rosie

    Reply
  26. dylan jones says

    August 11, 2024 at 3:33 am

    great recipe!

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      August 11, 2024 at 10:14 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  27. J says

    August 10, 2024 at 4:56 pm

    Hello! Any idea how long the par baked would last in the fridge or the freezer? I make lots of your sourdough recipes, thank you!

    Reply
  28. Angela says

    August 6, 2024 at 11:20 am

    First time making it & it was delicious. Do you know what the serving size/nutritional facts are for this recipe?

    Reply
  29. Pearl says

    August 4, 2024 at 10:18 am

    Soo good! My first focaccia attempt. I took it to a potluck and it was devoured. I love all the detailed instructions. So very helpful. I used King Arthur bread flour and it was a lovely more chewy texture. I did the one day version, and had to shorten the bulk rise a bit since I miscalculated my timing, and that didn’t make a difference. I put garlic, rosemary, basil, and oregano on as toppings. I can’t wait to do it again with all purpose flour and the correct bulk rise time! Thank you so much!!

    Reply
  30. Araceli says

    July 25, 2024 at 5:16 pm

    Great recipe, super easy to follow!
    I followed step by step and my dough proofed beautifully, with great rise and lots of bubbles. When I went to move into the pan, my dough was runny. I tried to allow it to complete the second rise to no avail. I waited for some rise before baking.

    Reply
  31. Maria says

    July 22, 2024 at 8:13 pm

    I’ve made this clever carrot focaccia several times (and pizza dough and sourdough loaf). A slightly different result each time but never fails! Today I’m baking onboard our yacht, fingers crossed for yummy focaccia for dinner.

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      July 23, 2024 at 9:36 am

      Ooo how exciting! Sounds like so much fun. Fingers crossed for you :)

      Reply
  32. Amie says

    July 21, 2024 at 1:06 am

    I botched the timing for the bulk rise and have to go to bed. It’s already doubled in size, but could I leave it in the fridge overnight and get to it in the morning? By then it’ll have been 17 hrs from the start of the bulk rise. Ah is it hopeless?

    Reply
    • Geoff says

      August 4, 2024 at 10:34 am

      I am working through this scenario. I chilled my dough in the fridge overnight, and am now letting it warm and rise for about an hour.

      How did your focaccia turn out?

      Reply
    • Traci says

      September 30, 2024 at 1:22 pm

      I’m sure you know by now, but this will work perfectly well. I wanted to answer so that it might help others with the same question.

      Reply
  33. Rachel says

    July 19, 2024 at 2:11 pm

    Love love love this recipe. It’s always my go to and families favourite for either focaccia or pizza dough. Thank you for making it easy and fun!

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      July 20, 2024 at 9:01 am

      You are very welcome Rachel! Thanks for your feedback :)

      Reply
  34. Tanya says

    July 16, 2024 at 8:44 am

    Can this recipe be frozen and eaten at a later date?

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      July 16, 2024 at 10:25 am

      Yes. After baking the focaccia, allow it to cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil, and freeze. Defrost at room temp. Re-heat before serving.

      Reply
      • Mary says

        December 7, 2024 at 8:35 am

        Should you frees this at the par-baked stage or completely baked ? I have more time to cook on the weekends versus the week so freezing makes it so much easier.

        Thanks.

        Reply
  35. Sally says

    July 1, 2024 at 4:27 pm

    I first tried this recipe this past winter when I was new to sourdough starter and experimenting. I continue to return to this as my go-to focaccia recipe because it seems to fit best into my schedule and is so simple! Today it was baked with hot, pickled jalapeno slices and shredded sharp cheddar for a Mexican themed pool party and it was a hit. Thanks a ton for this recipe.

    Reply
  36. Sharyn Palumbo-Goldstein says

    June 29, 2024 at 8:36 pm

    I have been making sourdough for years, but never sourdough focaccia. I love this recipe! It is so easy and delicious. Everyone who tastes it simply loves it! I sprinkle fresh or dried rosemary, and some “everything” seasoning (the kind without salt that I use in my everything sourdough boule) , some sundried tomatoes and kalamata olives. I have to watch my teenaged boys or they seriously would eat the entire thing in one sitting!

    Reply
  37. Linda Sapp says

    June 29, 2024 at 12:07 pm

    Emilie, Thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes. When I was young my father was stationed in Germany and so many of your recipes remind me of those wonderful years, full of delicious recipes and breads. My husband and I love sourdough. Again, many, many thanks for all your great recipes!

    Reply
  38. Sam says

    June 24, 2024 at 7:43 pm

    Super delicious! My fav sourdough recipe because of how low maintenance it is and the taste! Definitely will be saving and making again

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      June 25, 2024 at 10:14 am

      Excellent! Thanks so much for the feedback. Glad you like it! :)

      Reply
  39. Dorrie Gratto says

    June 23, 2024 at 6:59 pm

    Absolutely Love this recipe!!! My family loves it as a pizza base. So once the dough is ready to dimple I use the oil and pizza sauce and dimple the sauce into the dough then add mozzarella cheese and toppings usually char pep and my canned jalapeño peppers 🌶️ from my garden. The infusion of sauce into the dough game changer!!!

    Reply
  40. Fran says

    June 18, 2024 at 3:51 pm

    No, it was a regular 1/2 sheet pan. I used parchment slathered with oil the second (and third!) time and it worked beautifully. Still crisped up just fine.

    Reply
  41. Fran says

    June 15, 2024 at 9:21 am

    Delicious, but mine stuck terribly. Couldn’t chip it off the bottom of my sheet pan, which i coated with 2 Tbs oil. I’m still giving the recipe 5 stars because of the time tables, and extensive notes that were very helpful. Will try again today!

    Reply
    • Angela says

      June 18, 2024 at 12:37 am

      Did you use glass? Mine always sticks when I bake focaccia in glass.

      Reply
  42. Nkc says

    June 14, 2024 at 3:14 pm

    How long could this be proofed in the fridge do you think? Say I let it rise by 30% first and then wanted to fridge it for 36 hours?

    Reply
    • Michael Sauter says

      January 12, 2025 at 7:17 pm

      Did you ever try this, or maybe a bit shorter? I do see it’s from June. Should be doable I would think. TIA

      Reply
  43. Suki says

    June 4, 2024 at 1:25 am

    Thank you for this forgiving and delicious recipe! I’ve made this focaccia at least once a week for the last month. My partner and my sister — the people I make bread for most frequently — now request this more than any other bread, and I’m always happy to oblige because it requires so little work for such excellent result.

    I usually double the starter (~150g) and proof in my oven at 85-90F to have this ready in about 9 hours. I’ve experimented with doing a series of stretch and folds to further develop the dough structure and also not done anything at all — it turns out great both ways.

    I use a Lloyd pan, which results in a gorgeous crispy crust.

    The best toppings for this recipe are the ones that can really be jammed into the dough (ex: cherry tomato halves, garlic cloves, olives, mozzarella balls which turn into fun little mozz craters). Anything that sits on top of the dough tends to fall off and leave an underdone/wet looking impression in the finished focaccia. Also highly recommend chopping some rosemary and letting it infuse with the olive oil for a few minutes before dimpling.

    I don’t know how well this keeps because the entire bread is always eaten within 12 hours, even when it’s just me and my partner.

    Reply
  44. Jo Haegi says

    May 26, 2024 at 1:31 pm

    Hi Emilie,

    Can I freeze the the focaccia dough after bulk ferment? I made a double batch.

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      May 27, 2024 at 8:57 am

      Hi there! I wouldn’t. Freezing sourdough (dough) can be unpredictable in terms of rising power. If you can, I would bake both batches and freeze whatever you’re not consuming.

      Reply
      • Jo says

        May 27, 2024 at 2:31 pm

        Thank you. That’s what I ended up doing,

        Reply
  45. Jen says

    May 22, 2024 at 1:02 pm

    I made this today. I think I needed to stretch it a bit more, it didn’t settle down when I dimpled it do one half is much thicker…I guess I need to stretch it out a bit more in that process.

    Reply
  46. Cindy Jacobson says

    May 19, 2024 at 2:32 pm

    I made this today and it’s delicious but very thin, more like a flatbread. Is that how it’s supposed to be?

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      May 19, 2024 at 6:18 pm

      Hi there! It’s supposed to be thicker. It’s possible the dough was over proofed (rose for too long) during the process. Next time, shorten the bulk rise and/or second rise for a thicker crust.

      Reply
    • Emil says

      January 6, 2025 at 8:04 am

      Thanks for sharing!❤️
      question
      I quote:
      (Once completely cool, wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 6 hrs. To finish, return to the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.)
      Does that mean we have to bake twice at six hour intervals?

      Reply
  47. Luciana Dias de Macedo says

    May 14, 2024 at 1:16 pm

    I never rate any recipes because I’m never impressed enough, but this one… omg. Best focaccia I’ve ever made. I’ve been experimenting different recipes for almost 2 years now. I finally found the one I like. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      May 15, 2024 at 8:10 am

      Hi there! I appreciate this feedback very much. Thank you :)

      Reply
  48. Karen says

    May 6, 2024 at 8:41 pm

    Hi! Can I use pre-roasted garlic cloves? Also, after the bulk and second rise can I put the dough with the toppings in the fridge for a couple hours before baking?

    Reply
    • Emilie Raffa says

      May 7, 2024 at 9:27 am

      Absolutely. Sounds delicious. And yes to chilling the dough in the fridge w/ toppings. Just give it some time to rest at room temperature before baking to take the chill off!

      Reply
  49. Annaliese says

    April 18, 2024 at 3:25 am

    Hi! If I parbake but want to finish it then next day should I store on the counter or in the fridge? Thank you!

    Reply
  50. Dawn says

    April 17, 2024 at 9:10 pm

    This is my go to recipe and the results always impress! I have a tiny kitchen with no oven so I use a toaster oven to bake this and it works perfect. I have made this enough times that the recipe is committed to memory. Thank you for this.

    Reply
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