Home»Food & Ferment»Sourdough

Last Updated on April 29 , 2024

Come teach how to make your own delicious sourdough focaccia at home with our easy sourdough focaccia recipe and step - by - step pic . The last merchandise is everything you could dream of : downy and moist on the interior , a lightly oiled crispy crust on the exterior , and by nature - raise to perfection .

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If you are conversant with ourbasic sourdough bread loaf of bread recipe(or baking sourdough in general ) , this will be a walkway in the park . The process is quite standardised , just with a surface-active agent dough and unlike baking goat god . And if you ’re new to sourdough , no worries ! Sourdough focaccia is one of the easy sourdough formula to make , perfect for novice .

We used olives and rosemary in this particular instance , but you’re able to follow this basic formula and thendress it up however you ’d care – or keep it simple with no toppings at all . We know to employ lightly slice tomatoes , Malva sylvestris , caramelise onions , comestible blossom , herbaceous plant … whatever is handy or in season . See the bestsourdough focaccia toppings and add together - in idea here . adjudicate new combination is half the merriment !

Need sourdough starter?Learnhow to make sourdough starterfrom starting line . Or better yet , come take home a foolproof , 5 - starorganic sourdough newbie from our shop . One starter will last you a life-time ; it ’s the well-fixed fashion to get begin baking sourdough at dwelling house !

An overhead view of a beautifully decorated raw pan of focaccia dough, topped with sliced red onions that look like flowers, with chives used as the flower stems, cut cherry tomatoes arranged like flowers, with leaves made from sage, and other colorful edible flowers sprinkled on top including yellow calendula and blue bachelor buttons

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The colorful garden-inspired sourdough focaccia loaf (described in previous photo) but after baking. The flower colors have faded, but it still looks pretty and the top of the bread crust is now golden brown and bubbly.

Ingredients

Supplies Needed

Baking Schedule and Timing

This sourdough focaccia formula can be made thesame day or allowed to turn overnight . Either way , keep in intellect that you wo n’t be baking the bread forat least5 to 6 hours after starting – if not the next daylight . ( Do n’t worry , you wo n’t be working that whole time ! The dough is just passively sit in various stage of fermentation . )

We typically allow our dough to bulk ferment at elbow room temperature for about 4 hours , proof it overnight in the refrigerator , then let it posture at elbow room temporary worker for a couple minute again in the morning before dressing and baking it . Yet you may also hasten the process : ferment for just a few hours at room temperature , decamp the overnight proof , and broil the same day .

Remember that that longer sourdough is admit to turn before bake , themore nutritious and prosperous to digest sourdoughbecomes – which is why we choose for the longer proof time . you could give up it to proof even longer , up to two twenty-four hours in the electric refrigerator ! Sourdough focaccia is very forgiving compare to other breads .

A close up of baked sourdough focaccia, with a light brown bubbly surface, flecks of little green thyme leaves, slices of round tomatoes, and black olives pressed into the dimples on top of the dough.

Instructions

Step 1: Feed Sourdough Starter

Ensure you sourdough starter is atpeak activity , quick for use in a recipe . This usually involves feeding it at least once or twice several hours before using it , depending on how you had it stored . A sourdough appetizer is consider at top activity when it is bubbling in its container , has more than doubled in size of it , is no longer expand , but has n’t yet start up to fall down back down and deflate .

Learn to fertilise sourdough starter here , along with general storage and maintenance tips .

Step 2: Combine Active Starter, Water, Salt, & EVOO

Using akitchen scale , measure out the call - for amount of dynamic sourdough dispatcher , water , olive oil , and table salt . I suggest starting on the modest goal of the water range , and append little amounts later on ( after the flour ) as ask . Again , this is particularly dead on target for those wreak in humid environments .

In alarge amalgamate bowl , whisk togetherthe starter motor , piddle , oil and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks until exhaustively combined .

It is best to addwarm piddle . If you add moth-eaten water , it will set off off the dough too nerveless and can slow down the fermentation process . Around 90 degree F is perfect . you may either let the pee sit out to warm up , or quickly microwave it for 15 to 30 seconds . It should feel lukewarm to the tactile sensation , but not hot .

A close up of baked sourdough focaccia, cut into pieces and held up to show the inside of the bread. A chunk of cheese is shown pressed deep into a dimple of the fluffy, air looking bread with a bubbly, golden top. The rest of the loaf is in the background on the table.

Step 3: Add Flour & Stir

Next , consider out the called - for amount of flour . tote up the flour to the water - starter mixture , and stir to thoroughly compound . If want , add more pee – a tablespoonful or two at time . We use almost the full 400 grams of H2O ( though we have very low humidness here).Remember to tare or subtract your container weight as you go !

Sourdough focaccia simoleons consistency should be slightly more wet than the typical pelf for a loaf of bread of sourdough bread . It will also appear more or less chunky and slapdash at first , but will smooth out more in the next step .

A goodtest of the shekels textureis when you stir or move it around with a wooden spoon ( after exhaustively mixed ) , the dough should easy subside back and spread into the emptiness leave by the spoon , rather than staying in place in a solid ball . Yet , it should n’t be so wet that you ’d call it “ fluid ” . Nor should it fall apart into shreds when softly lifted .

An overhead view of of an active sourdough starter billowing out the top of an open flip top jar. It is sitting on a white ceramic plate and the starter is maintaining its height and isn’t sinking back into the jar. It is pillowy and airy.

It is perfectly acceptable to sprinkle and mix in a trivial more flour if you ’ve find your dough has become too runny . As you do with water , aline using only small measure of flour at a time !

Step 4: Bulk Ferment + Stretch & Fold

wrap up the arena with a moist lint - gratis cloth such as a tea towel . If you are using a dough tub or stadium that has a lid , place the palpebra loosely on top . Now , the focaccia dough needs to sit and ferment at room temperature forabout four hour , or until the lettuce has go up to double in size of it .

As much as possible , keep the kale in a moderately warm location . Around75 ° Fis ideal for sourdough fermentation . cool temperatures will make this physical process take longer , and hotter temperatures will hotfoot it up . See the temperature troubleshooting tips at the end of this article for ideas on how to create an idealistic sourdough microclimate within your home .

During the first 2 60 minutes of the bulk fermentation fourth dimension , perform 2 or 3sets of“stretch and fold”about a half an hour apart . This will help polish out and further organize the dough , and also bring out air . After those 2 or 3 circle , allow let the dough rest and uprise uninterrupted for the remainder of the time .

A two part image collage, the first image shows the ingredients (flour, salt, sourdough starter, oil, water, and salt) inside a white ceramic mixing bowl. The second image shows the same ingredients after they have been combined using a wooden spoon. The spoon is also pushing part of the dough towards the center of the bowl, illustrating the consistency of the dough.

Stretch and Fold

If you are n’t familiar with “ stretching and sheepcote ” ( or coil folding ) sourdough :

Once you ’ve gone all the way around the bowl back to where you started , you ’ve finish one “ band ” . keep with a few more unfold - and - folds if you could without ripping the dough , or simply stop over after one set . The dough will become more learn as you go . If you pull it past the spot of   resistance , it will tear the evolve gluten filament – which is what gives your bread structure .

Step 5: Transfer Focaccia Dough into the Baking Pan

Once the dough has come up and expanded to about double the original size , it is time to carefully change it into the baking pan . Before doing so , apply a generous layer ofolive oilaround the pan ’s bottom and bound . We do n’t want the sourdough focaccia to bind to the pan . Also , let ’s be real … an buttery crispy gall is one of the best parts about focaccia anyways !

To transfer the dough , I like to use adough scraperto gently loosen around the edges of the shekels ball . Then , tap the roll and ease the dough onto the heart of the oiled genus Pan . It should scatter out into a fairly thin layer on it ’s own ( an in or two ) , and not abide in a tight magniloquent blob in the middle .

To assist in an even facing pages , use cockeyed or oiled script to thinly push and deplumate the kale into the corner of the pan . It will resist , so do n’t bust or force it!It will finally steady down in with metre . Give it another little push and pull in a half an hour if needed .

A two part image collage, the first image shows the mixed dough and a set of hands lifting part of the dough upwards. This is the stretch portion of a technique called “stretch and fold”. The second image shows the fold portion of the “stretch and fold” which is folding the dough onto itself.

Step 6: Continue Proofing Dough (Two Options)

From here you have a couple of pick , as we discourse in the “ Timing ” section above . depend on the time of day and your personal preference , you’re able to either appropriate the moolah to sit out at way temperature to proof for a couple more hr , or move it into the icebox to go forward a long proof .

Either way , the goal is to allow the dough to puff up and uprise to aboutdouble in sizing again . On average , this should takearound 2 hoursat 75 ° degree Fahrenheit – though it can diverge depending on the forte of your sourdough starter and your climate .

We prefer a longer proofing time , for the added nutritional benefit and also the increased flexibility for our docket . After transferring the dough to the baking pan , I let it posture for a half an hour to spread out a bit , and then move it to the fridge . From there , it may sit down for as little as8 hours or as long as 14 hour . The key is to take the pan and dough back out of the refrigerator a few hours before you want to bake . Allow it to warm to room temperature , puff up , and touch that nonsuch doubling in size .

A four part image collage, the first image shows the white mixing bowl with the dough resting inside it. The second image is of a baking pan that has been oiled with extra virgin olive oil. The third image shows the dough once it has been transferred into the oiled pan. The fourth image shows the dough after it has been lightly pushed and pulled to fill out the dimensions of the pan.

While the dough is proofing , embrace the panwith a dampish tea leaf towel or credit card wrapping .

Step 7: Dimple Dough

Preheat the oven to450 ° atomic number 9 .

Here comes the fun part !

By now , the dough should have arise and look a bit bubbly . But to make that distinctive dimpled focaccia top , you demand to poke it – aka , dimpling the pelf . Wet your handswith either Olea europaea oil or weewee , and press your fingerbreadth into the gelt repeatedly in many blank space . Be certain to promote all the way down to the bottom of the pan . It should take care really bubbly now !

A four part image collage, the first image shows the sourdough focaccia dough after it has risen inside the baking pan. There are some air bubbles that have formed and the dough is fairly pillowy. The second image shows a set of hands with her fingers inserted into a portion of the dough, essentially poking it. The third image shows hands continuing to poke the dough using every finger, and the fourth image shows the hands continuing to poke the dough. The dough has continued to get more airy, bubbly, and pillowy the more times it has been poked from the first image to the fourth image.

  • EDIT : I now usuallydrizzle olive oilover the surface of the wampum andthenpoke it with oiled finger , rather than add oil after with the topping as prove below … but either direction works !

Step 8: Add Toppings

Next , moisten the top of the dimpled dough withextra virgin olive oil(if you did n’t already).About two tablespoon is recommended , though we never measure . Also sprinkle over a gracious little disperse ofcoarse ocean salt .

Finally , dress up your sourdough focaccia with anytoppingsyour prefer ! In this example , we used kalamata olives and hack fresh rosemary from the garden .   See more of thebest sourdough toppings and add - in idea here !

TIP : exhort larger topping such as olives , sun-dried tomato , or artichoke hearts down into the crevices to keep burn up in the oven . I also get hold that grated cheese ( cheddar , parmesan , etc ) browns quick in the oven , so you may want to wait to sum it on top halfway through baking . large clod of cheese like fresh mozzarella slices , chunk of brie , or cubes of Armerican cheddar are fine to add up from the starting signal .

The sourdough focaccia dough is shown inside a baking pan after it has been poked  repeatedly to produce a bubbly, airy, and pillowy dough.

Step 9: Bake

Bake the sourdough focaccia on450 ° Ffor approximately 25 to 30 arcminute , or until the top is a deep golden John Brown . Your house should smell all-fired delectable right about now ! Once it is done , permit the sugar to cool for a few minute of arc inside the pan , and then transfer it onto a cooling single-foot .

Note : delay the bread about halfway through . If the top seems like it is brown too much too quickly , set an empty baking weather sheet on an empty oven single-foot above the sourdough focaccia loaf of bread . This swim “ covering ” will help to deflect some of the heat and prevent burning the top .

Step 10: Serve & Enjoy

deplete up ! Unlike recommendations for whole sourdough bread hump , this sourdough focaccia can be edit out andenjoyed warm – right on from the oven ! It is arguably the most delicious this path .

We love our focaccia on its own , or snub in one-half to create an open - face vegetable sandwich . It also goes perfectly dipped inbutternut mash & sage souporcreamy roasted carrot & sweet potato soup , or served with ourvegan pumpkin 3 - bean chili con carne !

How to Store Sourdough Focaccia

To maximise gall , hive away the finished focaccia in a certain air - tight container or covered with plastic wrapper . Sometimes I keep it on the cool down rack , and the put the baking pan upside down on top of it as a book binding . Since it does n’t have any preservatives , homemade bread will always be at it ’s best on the same mean solar day it ’s broil , though it ’s passably dang good for the next pair days as well !

Once it starts to get dusty , I recommend re - heating the focaccia in the oven on 375 ° F for 10 hour to bring the texture back to life .   Baked sourdough focaccia can also be frozen in a varnish container or bag for up to a calendar month , and re - heated in the same style .

Are you drooling yet?

I hope you enjoyed this clause , and enjoy your sweet homemade sourdough focaccia even more ! Please feel costless to ask any questions , andspread the loveby share-out or pinning this post .

Keep scrolling below for the printable formula , along with way to muck about with your sourdough temperature if needed . If you make this recipe , be certain to describe back with a review – or label me on Instagram with # homesteadandchill @deannacat3 to apportion your tasty creations !

If you wish this recipe , check these out too :

A close up image of the dough after it has been dressed with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, sprinkled with course sea salt, and topped with fresh chopped rosemary and kalamata olives. The olives have been lightly pushed into the dough.

Easy Sourdough Focaccia Bread Recipe (Overnight or Same Day)

Equipment

Ingredients1x2x3x

Notes

Temperature Troubleshooting Tips

Some of the swelled sourdough frustrations that people struggle with – their starter motor not getting active , or their dough not rising – is often due to less - than - ideal temperature . hold open it in that target compass of70 - 80 ° Freallllly helps . test not to get crazy and overheat it though ! Too much warmth can make it proof too fast , which also is n’t idealistic .

A baking pan full of sourdough focaccia that has been dressed with olive oil, coarse sea salt, kalamata olives, and fresh chopped rosemary is shown. The next step is to bake it!

A two part image collage, the first image shows a baking dish full of sourdough focaccia after it has been baked. The top is golden brown to darker brown in some spots and the bread has pulled away from the sides of the pan as it baked. The second image shows the bread cooling on a wire rack, it is a close up image of the side of the bread, illustrating the golden honey colored crispy crust that forms on the bread that was in contact with the baking pan.

The sourdough focaccia loaf has been cut in half width wise, one half is sitting on the cooling rack and the remaining half has been cut into six square pieces that are assembled haphazardly around the area. Sprigs of rosemary and a white tea towel make up the border of the shot. The focaccia has nice small air pockets through the middle and a bubbly lightly browned crust on top.

An close up of a bubbly baked focaccia loaf with green smears of pesto, caramelized onion rings, and sprinkles of sesame seeds on top.

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