Description

A forgiving, beginner-friendly sourdough focaccia recipe that uses just seven ingredients. This pillowy, golden bread is dimpled with rosemary and sea salt, requiring no fancy equipment and minimal active effort.

Ingredients

Scale

3 ½ cups (450g) Bread Flour
1 ½ cups (360ml) Warm Water
1 cup (240g) Active Sourdough Starter
1 ½ teaspoons (9g) Fine Sea Salt
½ cup (120ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (plus more for brushing)
2 tablespoons Fresh Rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon (5g) Coarse Sea Salt (for topping)

Instructions

Feed your sourdough starter 4-6 hours before baking until it is doubled in size and bubbly.
In a large bowl, whisk warm water and active sourdough starter until dissolved. Add flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
Let the dough rest for 30 minutes (autolyse).
Wet your hands and perform a series of folds: stretch one side of the dough over the center, rotate, and repeat for all four sides. Repeat this process every 30 minutes for 2 hours (4 folds total).
Cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature for 2-4 hours until puffy and increased by 50%.
Generously oil a 13×9 inch baking pan with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the pan, gently pressing it into the corners.
Dimple the surface of the dough firmly with your fingers. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with chopped rosemary and coarse sea salt.
Cover loosely and let the dough rise again for 1-2 hours until puffy and dimples hold their shape.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top and bottom.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before using. Do not add extra flour if the dough is sticky; this stickiness creates air pockets. For a crispier crust, place a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven while preheating. The internal temperature of the bread should reach 190°F (88°C) when done.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Bread
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 220
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 350
Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 2
Protein: 6

Keywords: sourdough focaccia, beginner bread recipe, rosemary focaccia, easy sourdough, homemade bread, vegan bread, gluten-free option