The Best Sourdough Focaccia | Perfect for Beginners

One of the easiest sourdough recipes to make is focaccia. This easy sourdough Focaccia recipe is a wonderfully airy bread that can be used as a side dish or topped to make the most delicious pizza!

I love spending time developing new recipes and trying new things with my sourdough starter. I also appreciate sourdough recipes that use simple ingredients and are easy to make. This Focaccia checks those boxes!

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I think focaccia is one of the most forgiving sourdough recipes you can make. It can over ferment and still turn out beautiful!

I prefer to let mine ferment overnight on the counter. But, you could start this recipe early in the morning and have it by evening for dinner.

There are so many variations you can do with focaccia. You can top it with herbs and olive oil or try adding some tomatoes and cheese for a tasty side bread.

If you are brand new to the sourdough journey, start here: How to make a sourdough starter

Why Sourdough?

Sourdough is a process of fermenting your bread dough with a sourdough starter. This process breaks down the gluten and proteins that can sometimes be hard to digest for gluten sensitive people.

In order to get the most benefits of the fermentation process, you need to let your dough ferment for at least 12-24 hours.

If you have never made a sourdough starter, it’s easy to do with just 2 ingredients! Flour and water! The flour and water are allowed to ferment on the counter and capture wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria over several days.

What is Active Sourdough Starter?

Active starter is sourdough starter that has been fed within the last 24 hours or so and is bubbly and active looking.

What is Sourdough Discard?

Sourdough Discard is starter that is hungry. It hasn’t been fed within the last 24 hours and may have a liquid on top and have an acetone smell.

For this recipe, you will need

Flour

I prefer to use freshly milled flour in my recipes. Hard white wheat works very well for this particular bread.

The grain mill I have been using for years is linked here: Nutrimill Grain Mill

You can use all purpose flour or whole wheat flour for this recipe.

Water

For best results, use filtered water. If your house is really cool, start with warm water.

Sourdough Starter

Use active sourdough starter that has been fed within the last 24 hours.

Salt

Olive Oil

I recommend using a good quality organic olive oil for the best flavor.

Step by Step Instructions for making this Simple Sourdough Focaccia Recipe

The night before you want to make the focaccia, you want to add water, oil, salt, sourdough starter, and 3 cups of flour to the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment and mix until combined.

Note: This can be kneaded by hand by mixing the ingredients in a large bowl and turning onto a work surface to knead.

This is the stand mixer I use and recommend: Nutrimill Stand Mixer

Slowly add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until a soft dough forms that cleans the sides of the bowl.

Knead for 6-8 minutes.

Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise on the counter in a warm place overnight or up to 24 hours. This is the bulk fermentation.

For a cold long rise, place dough in the fridge for up to a week before proceeding. It is not necessary to bring to room temperature to proceed.

The next day, prepare a 9×13 baking pan or sheet pan with olive oil spread in the bottom.

Gently turn the sourdough focaccia dough into the baking dish. Note: Take care not to deflate the dough.

Drizzle the top of the dough with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.

Using the tips of your fingers, gently press into the dough making indentions as you go. Continue doing this until the dough spreads out into the pan comptelely. If you find the dough to be sticky, use slightly wet hands for this part.

You can add fresh rosemary or dried herbs, tomatoes, or flaky sea salt at this time.

Cover and allow to rise for 2-3 hours. This is the second rise.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Bake the focaccia for 20-22 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Serving Suggestions

Slice the focaccia in half and make the best sandwich bread! Full of flavor!

Slice and have as a side with dinner or you can top with pizza topping and put under the broiler for one of the most delicious pizzas ever!

Storage Tips

Store on counter in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze in freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months.