Simple Homemade Sourdough Focaccia Recipe
I have to admit focaccia was not one of the first things that popped to mind when I started making sourdough. I never even knew what it was!
But oh my goodness is it easy and oh so delicious!
I can’t believe it took so long before I actually made this. Sourdough focaccia is fluffy in the middle with an amazing crunch that can be used in an assortment of ways.
It’s like a thick pizza base and is a great addition to meals, as an entree or great for when guests arrive as an appetiser! If you want to see a video on how it’s made it’s just a little further below!
If you haven’t started making focaccia yet I promise you are going to want to start, you will get hooked.
Sourdough Focaccia Recipe Video
What Is Focaccia?
Honestly, I mean what is a focaccia? Is it a bread or a wanna be pizza base? Focaccia is known as a flat bread and is generally about 1-2 inches thick.
It’s not very flat it’s actually nice and airy known for its many air pockets when rising and baking. You can make this type of flat bread either sweet or savoury and use it in many different ways.
I have only made this bread the savoury way so far and am currently obsessed but will try a sweet variety one day.
Focaccia is also known for having a crunchy top and base and fluffy inner. Generally, it’s topped with olive oil and a generous amount of salt but the variations are endless!
What You Will Need
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Ingredients
Sourdough starter: You can use either active starter or discard for this recipe.
Filtered Water: I like to use filtered clean water. I wouldn’t recommend using town water from your tap.
Flour: I have Khorasan white flour and this flour works so well for all my baking needs while being an ancient grain as well! You can use any white flour you like, wholemeal flours can be a little denser.
Salt: Use a good quality salt like sea salt or Himalayan salt. These have minerals in them and are natural good salts.
Olive Oil: Don’t skimp out on the olive oil this gives your focaccia such an amazing taste!
Equipment
Dough whisk: If you don’t have a dough whisk, I highly recommend buying one! These are such a game changer and are cheap.
They are great if you plan on baking anything from cookies, cakes, breads ect! But you can use a fork as well, a dough whisk just does the job faster and more efficiently!
Large bowl: You will want a decent size bowl to mix your ingredients into and then allow it to rise as well.
Baking Pan: You will be needing a 12in by in pan for this recipe or around about that size will do.
Sourdough Focaccia Tips
- Your sourdough focaccia should be a bit on the stickier and runnier side. You do not want a very hard ball. It will get more air pockets if it’s slightly runnier.
- Make sure to preheat your oven to the right temperature before placing your focaccia to bake so it cooks properly and you get a cooked inside and crunchy top.
- Do not be stingy with the salt. The salt really does make this focaccia take amazing!
Focaccia Topping Ideas
You can enjoy pretty much anything on top of a focaccia! Or just have it plain with olive oil and salt but here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
- Cheese combination, this will go nice and golden in the oven and give it an extra crunch!
- Cherry tomatoes and basil leaves.
- Fetta cheese, sliced deli meat and sundried tomatoes.
- Onion, capsicum and Italian seasoning.
- Make it beautiful with edible flowers like nasturtiums, pansies, marigolds, calendula ect.
How To Make Sourdough Focaccia (Step By Step)
- Combine the starter, water, salt, and oil in a bowl and mix with your dough whisk.
2. Add 1 cup flour at a time and continue mix. You will need to oil your hands and finish combining with your hands. It will be slightly sticky still.
3. Oil your bowl and place focaccia ball into your bowl, cover with a cling wrap or wet towel and let it rise for about 8-12 hours depending on temperature.
4. Oil your baking dish and place focaccia ball into it. Spread it very slightly with your hands and let it rise another 1-2 hours keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out. It will fill the tray as it rises.
5. Once it’s done with it’s 2nd rise preheat oven to 220c/ 425F.
6. With your fingers you will press down on the dough once it’s nice and puffy. Press down around your focaccia with your fingertips to dimple the dough.
7. Add 1 tbsp olive or so on top and sprinkle with sea salt. You can add any other toppings you desire at this point as well. I added cheese to this one.
8. Place your focaccia in the oven and let it cook for 25 minutes.
9. Take it out and let it cool for about 30 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
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Simple Sourdough Focaccia Recipe
An easy sourdough discard focaccia recipe you are sure to love! Crunchy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. A perfect side dish or starter for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups flour
Instructions
- Combine the starter, water, salt, and oil in a bowl and mix with your dough whisk.
- Add 1 cup flour at a time and continue mix. You will need to oil your hands and finish combining with your hands. It will be slightly sticky still.
- Oil your bowl and place focaccia ball into your bowl, cover with a cling wrap or wet towel and let it rise for about 8-12 hours depending on temperature.
- Oil your baking dish and place focaccia ball into it. Spread it very slightly with your hands and let it rise another 1-2 hours keep it covered so it doesn't dry out. It will fill the tray as it rises.
- Once it's done with it's 2nd rise preheat oven to 220c/ 425F.
- With your fingers you will press down on the dough once it's nice and puffy. Press down around your focaccia with your fingertips to dimple the dough.
- Add 1 tbsp olive or so on top and sprinkle with sea salt. You can add any other toppings you desire at this point as well. I added cheese to this one.
- Place your focaccia in the oven and let it cook for 25 minutes.
- Take it out and let it cool for about 30 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
