Name: Sourdough Focaccia Bread
Ingredients: 1 cup active starter; 2 cups water; 4-5 cups flour*; 2 T oil (2 additional Tbsp oil for drizzling); 1.5 tsp salt; 2 T finely chopped rosemary (plus extra for topping); 2 garlic cloves (minced); any other toppings you like, ex: red onions, tomatoes, garlic

Sourdough focaccia bread is a delicious and flavorful twist on the classic Italian bread. Made with a sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast, this bread has a unique tangy taste and airy texture that’s perfect for soaking up olive oil or dipping into hummus. The aroma coming from your oven while this bakes will have the whole family gathering in the kitchen!

Sourdough focaccia is also incredibly versatile and can be topped with a variety of herbs, spices, and other ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, making sourdough focaccia at home is a fun and rewarding way to experiment with different flavors and techniques in the kitchen. Natural yeast focaccia bread has never sounded so good!

What is focaccia bread?

Focaccia bread is a type of Italian flatbread that’s similar to pizza dough. It’s made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil and can be topped with a variety of herbs, spices, and other ingredients like tomatoes or olives.

Focaccia has a soft and airy texture with a slightly chewy crust and is often served as an appetizer or side dish alongside soups or salads. It can also be used as the base for sandwiches or paninis. Focaccia bread is a staple in Italian cuisine and has become popular around the world for its delicious flavor and versatility in the kitchen. We love cutting through the loaf horizontally and filling it with sandwich fixings and it makes the most delicious sandwich!

What does sourdough focaccia bread go with?

Focaccia bread is a versatile bread that can be paired with a variety of dishes. It’s served as an appetizer or side dish alongside soups, salads, or antipasti platters.

It can also be used as the base for sandwiches or paninis, and it’s delicious when toasted and topped with melted cheese or other ingredients like roasted vegetables, meats, or spreads.

Focaccia is often served as part of a bread basket at Italian restaurants and can be enjoyed on its own or dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients Needed for the Focaccia Bread

Oil is a liquid fat that is commonly used in cooking and baking. I use a variety of oils in baking: avocado, coconut oil and olive oil. In addition to adding flavor and moisture to dishes, oil also helps to conduct heat evenly and prevent food from sticking to cookware.
Salt is a mineral that is essential for human health and is used as a seasoning in many dishes. It enhances the flavor of foods by bringing out natural flavors and reducing bitterness. Salt also helps to preserve food by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. My favorite is Redmond Real Salt because of all the naturally occurring minerals it contains. Use code LAURA15 for a discount HERE.
Rosemary is an aromatic herb with needle-like leaves that are commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. When finely chopped, it adds a fragrant, earthy flavor to dishes like focaccia bread. In addition to its culinary uses, rosemary has been associated with several health benefits, such as improving digestion and reducing inflammation.
Garlic is a pungent bulb that belongs to the onion family. When minced, it releases its strong flavors into dishes like focaccia bread. Garlic has numerous health benefits as well, such as boosting immunity and reducing blood pressure.
Optional toppings (ex: red onions, tomatoes) – These are additional ingredients that can be added on top of the focaccia bread for added flavor or texture. Red onions add a sweet and tangy flavor while tomatoes add sweetness and acidity.
Oil for drizzling – This extra oil can be used at the end of the recipe to give the finished product some extra moisture or shine.

How to Make Sourdough Focaccia Bread

Mix together the sponge ingredients well. Place in a bowl and cover. Let sit until nearly double. (You can do a longer ferment in the fridge.)

On baking day, knead in the other ingredients until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Spread the dough on an oiled, parchment lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise somewhere warm until nearly double in size.

With slightly wet fingers, make finger indents all across the top of the dough. Drizzle oil across the top and sprinkle a little bit of salt. Sprinkle additional herbs and toppings, if desired.
Bake at 450° for 20-25 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy!

Why make focaccia with sourdough starter

Sourdough starter, also known as natural yeast, has several potential health benefits. It contains beneficial bacteria and yeasts that can help with digestion and nutrient absorption.

Because sourdough bread is fermented using natural yeast, it has a lower glycemic index and be easier to digest than bread made with commercial yeast.

More Sourdough Recipes

Are you curious about learning HOW to make a sourdough starter? Check out my Sourdough Essentials Cookbook!

Watch me make this recipe here!

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