Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 2 cups (448 g) warm water (100–110°F / 38–43°C)
- 1 ½ tablespoons (32 g) honey
- 1 tablespoon (9 g) active dry yeast
- 4 cups (540 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (18 g) sea salt
- For the pan:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- For the topping:
- 9 ounces (257 g) Yukon Gold potatoes, small diced and cooked
- 18–20 Castelvetrano olives (optional)
- 3 tablespoons fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, or parsley), chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Line an 18×13-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, letting sides overhang. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, honey, and yeast. Let sit 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and olive oil, stir until dough forms. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
- Add salt and mix in. Dough will be sticky.
- First rise (2 hours): Do 4 stretch and folds every 15 minutes for the first hour. Cover and let rest for another hour until bubbly and doubled.
- Second rise (2 hours): Oil the prepared pan, scrape dough in, drizzle more oil on top. Stretch dough to edges over an hour. Add potatoes and olives, press gently, and rise another hour. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Top with chopped herbs, lemon zest, and drizzle with olive oil and sea salt flakes.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown with dark bubbles.
- Remove with parchment, cool 5 minutes on a rack, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Use a smaller pan for thicker focaccia, ideal for sandwiches.
- Swap herbs based on availability or taste—sage and parsley are great.
- Omit olives or try another variety like Kalamata.
- Try the overnight method: refrigerate dough after first folds and continue the next day.
- Reheat leftovers at 350°F (177°C) with a spritz of water for best texture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
