Fluffy Alton Brown Focaccia Recipe with Olive Oil Drizzle

Alton brown’s focaccia transforms ordinary bread into a culinary masterpiece that beckons with irresistible allure.

This Italian delight bursts with rustic charm and sensory magic.

Herb-infused dough emerges from your oven, promising a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Olive oil glistens on golden-brown surfaces, creating crisp edges that crackle with each bite.

Soft, pillowy textures reveal a depth of artisan craftsmanship rarely found in home kitchens.

Baking becomes an intimate journey through Mediterranean traditions, where simple ingredients tell profound stories.

Unlock the secrets of this tantalizing flatbread and let your kitchen transform into a gourmet sanctuary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients in Alton Brown’s Focaccia Bread

• Active Dry Yeast: Select fresh, unexpired yeast for guaranteed rising power.
• Granulated Sugar: Choose fine-grain sugar that dissolves quickly and feeds yeast.
• Warm Water: Use filtered water at precise temperature to awaken yeast perfectly.

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour with consistent protein content for ideal texture.
• Salt: Pick fine sea salt for balanced flavor and precise seasoning.
• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil for rich, authentic Mediterranean taste.

• Roasted Garlic: Select fresh, plump garlic heads for intense, mellow roasted flavor.
• Dried Rosemary, Red Pepper Flakes: Look for high-quality, fragrant herbs with vibrant color and potent aromatics.

Tools for Making Focaccia at Home

• Stand Mixer: Essential for kneading dough smoothly and consistently.
• Dough Hook: Perfect attachment for mixing and developing gluten in bread recipes.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for activating yeast and initial mixing steps.
• Large Bowl: Spacious container for allowing dough to rise comfortably.
• 10×15 Inch Rimmed Baking Sheet: Provides perfect surface for stretching and baking focaccia.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps cover dough during rising process and retains moisture.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Fingertips: Great tool for creating signature dimples in focaccia surface.
• Oven: Necessary for baking focaccia to golden, crispy perfection.
• Cooling Rack: Optional but helpful for allowing bread to cool evenly after baking.

How to Prepare Alton Brown’s Focaccia

• Awaken the Yeast Magic

Grab a cozy bowl and mix yeast with a touch of sugar and warm water. Let the mixture bubble and bloom for a few minutes until it becomes wonderfully frothy.

• Craft the Dough Foundation

Combine the activated yeast with flour in a mixing bowl. Knead the ingredients together, transforming them into a silky, smooth dough that feels like soft clouds in your hands.

• Let the Dough Dance and Rise

Gently massage the dough and tuck it into an olive oil-kissed bowl. Allow it to rest and expand in a warm, nurturing spot until it doubles in size, showing off its incredible potential.

• Prepare the Baking Canvas

Drizzle a baking sheet with a generous splash of olive oil, creating a golden playground for your focaccia to develop its crispy, delectable character.

• Shape and Stretch

Transfer the puffy dough to the oiled sheet, using your fingertips to coax it into every corner. Create playful dimples across the surface, inviting delicious flavors to nestle in.

• Dress with Flavor Treasures

Sprinkle roasted garlic, fragrant rosemary, and a whisper of red pepper flakes across the dough. These toppings will transform your focaccia into a culinary masterpiece.

• Bake to Golden Brilliance

Slide the focaccia into a hot oven and watch it transform. Bake until the edges turn a stunning golden brown and the surface becomes irresistibly crisp and inviting.

Tips for Fluffy Focaccia Bread

• Boost Your Focaccia Success: Pro Baking Tips
• Perfect Yeast Activation: Ensure water temperature is exactly 110°F using a kitchen thermometer. Too hot kills yeast, too cold prevents proper rising. Warm environments like near a preheated oven help yeast develop faster.
• Kneading Magic: Don't overwork the dough. Gentle kneading develops gluten without making bread tough. Stop when dough becomes smooth and elastic, pulling away from mixer sides cleanly.
• Moisture Matters: Brush extra olive oil before baking for a crispy, golden exterior. Drizzling sea salt on top adds delightful crunch and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Creative Topping Adventures: Experiment with seasonal ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, olives, or fresh herbs. Swap roasted garlic for sliced jalapeños or sprinkle parmesan cheese for unexpected taste twists.

Serving Options for Alton Brown’s Focaccia

• Dive into Delicious Pairings: Savory Focaccia Companions
• Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer Platter: Slice focaccia into triangles and arrange with assorted Italian cured meats, soft cheeses, marinated olives, and roasted red peppers for a stunning Mediterranean-style starter.
• Hearty Soup Sidekick: Tear warm focaccia into rustic chunks perfect for dipping into creamy tomato bisque, rich minestrone, or hearty Italian vegetable soups to soak up delicious broth.
• Gourmet Sandwich Builder: Split focaccia horizontally to create an incredible base for sandwiches like prosciutto and mozzarella, grilled vegetables, or herb-roasted chicken with fresh arugula.
• Wine and Cheese Night Star: Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve alongside crisp white wines like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, complementing the bread's herbal and garlic notes.

Storage Ideas for Focaccia Bread

• Preserve Freshness: Store focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, maintaining its soft texture and delightful flavor.
• Refrigerate Right: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container, lasting up to 5 days in the refrigerator without losing its delicious taste.
• Freeze for Later: Slice focaccia into portions, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for quick and easy future enjoyment.
• Revive and Reheat: Warm refrigerated or frozen focaccia in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, restoring its crispy edges and tender center, making it taste freshly baked.

Rustic Alton Brown Focaccia Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Alton Brown’s focaccia recipe delivers a perfectly crisp and airy Italian flatbread with herbal notes and olive oil richness. Mediterranean ingredients and simple techniques help you craft an authentic bread experience right in your kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3.5 cups (875 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups (375 ml) whole wheat flour
• 1.75 cups (440 ml) warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 package (0.25 oz/7 g) active dry yeast (2.25 tsp)
• 2 tbsps chopped rosemary
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp cane sugar
• 1 bulb roasted garlic (optional)
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in a mixing bowl, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy for 5-7 minutes.
2. Dough Formation: Transfer activated yeast to a stand mixer, incorporating flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead using the dough hook until a smooth, elastic ball forms, about 6-8 minutes.
3. First Proofing: Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, and cover. Let rise in a warm, undisturbed location until the volume doubles, approximately 45-55 minutes.
4. Pan Preparation: Generously coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil, then gently stretch the dough to fill the entire surface, creating characteristic dimples with fingertips.
5. Second Proofing: Cover the dough and allow a second rise for 35-45 minutes until noticeably puffy.
6. Final Touches: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Strategically embed roasted garlic halves, sprinkle red pepper flakes and rosemary leaves across the surface.
7. Baking: Bake for 18-22 minutes, achieving a golden-brown edge and crisp, amber-colored crust that signifies perfect focaccia.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Warm water between 105-110°F is crucial for proper yeast activation, ensuring a perfect rise and preventing dough failure.
• Dough Elasticity Check: Knead until the dough feels soft and smooth, with a slight bounce-back when gently pressed, indicating proper gluten development.
• Oil Coverage Technique: Generously coat the baking sheet and dough with olive oil to create a crispy, golden exterior and prevent sticking.
• Dimpling Precision: Create consistent, evenly spaced dimples using fingertips to achieve the classic focaccia texture and help trap olive oil and herbs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg