on Mar 04, 2023, Updated Aug 16, 2024 The recipe has since evolved and is now most commonly made with yeast and 🫒 olive oil. Focaccia seems to be most closely linked to Genoa, where it’s known as pizza Genovese and often topped with sautéed onions and herbs. Around Bologna, it’s known as Crescentina, and in Tuscany and parts of central Italy it becomes Schiacciata. The best-known forms of focaccia have a golden, dimpled, slightly salty crust and a soft center. However, texture varies according to region of Italy, and the flavors will vary with ingredients.
Why You’ll Love No Knead Focaccia
This No Knead Focaccia 🥖 recipe is for the most novice baker and requires minimal effort. If you can stir a few ingredients in a bowl, you are capable of making one of Italy’s most delicious foods. This bread is delicious on its own, but can also be split in half and used as 🍞 sandwich bread or as the bookends for a delicious panini (grilled sandwich). It goes perfectly alongside a big fresh salad or for sopping up the last bits of Italian sugo served on pasta. Another fantastic reason to make this bread is the options for toppings. Have some leftover 🧅 onions, garlic or 🌿 herbs? Throw them on top! Create a focaccia to match your meal!
How To Prepare No Knead Focaccia
Start by combining the flour, yeast, 🧂 salt, and 💦 warm water (between 100-110°F) in a large bowl, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Remember, there’s no need to knead the dough, just shape it into a ball. After you’ve shaped the dough into a ball, oil it, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest in a 🔥 warm spot for at least 8 hours (I let mine rest overnight). Make sure the dough is not in a drafty area. After it triples in size, punch down the center. Now prepare the pan by lining a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Next, drizzle it with olive oil, and stretch the dough evenly into it. The dough will have some resistance at first but be patient as it will give in to you and take on the shape of the dish. Then, cover again and let it double in size. This usually takes about an hour. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Uncover the dough, drizzle generously with olive oil, make dimples with your fingers, and add desired toppings (I used 🫒 olives, 🍅 tomatoes, and 🌿 dry oregnao). Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden, keeping an eye on it based on your oven and dish. Enjoy your homemade focaccia!
Variations and Substitutions
This simple No Knead Focaccia bread has so many different options. It’s so easy to make it your own or accommodate dietary restrictions and choices.
The options for toppings for your focaccia are endless! Try sun-dried 🍅 tomatoes, caramelized onions, grated 🧀 parmesan, or fresh 🌿 herbs like rosemary or basil. Try using infused olive oil for added flavor in your focaccia. While all-purpose flour is what I use in this recipe, you could try gluten-free flour or whole wheat. You can use a sourdough starter for this recipe instead of the yeast. You will want to be sure to adjust the water amounts accordingly. While I use dry oregano, you could substitute or add various spices like black pepper, red pepper flakes, or other spice blends you may have.
Best Served With
My No Knead Focaccia Bread pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, including soups and stews, cheese and butter boards, and more. Some of my favorite soups to enjoy with this bread:
Pastina Soup Greek Lemon Soup The Best Lentil Soup Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup Healthiest Cream of Hidden Veggie Soup Hidden Veggie Meatball Soup Chicken Noodle Soup
Try it With My Favorite Boards
Viral Butter Board With Goat Cheese Holiday Butter Board Holiday Charcuterie Board Holiday Cheese Board
Other No Knead Recipes
If you like this no knead bread, try some of my others:
No-Knead Gluten-Free Bread My Viral No-Knead Peasant Bread Grandma’s No-Knead Olive Bread No-Knead Cheddar Bread
Common Questions
