Easy Homemade Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread Recipe

Baking a delightful tomato basil focaccia bread can transport you to the sunny landscapes of Italy with just one bite.

Mediterranean flavors dance across the golden surface, promising a rustic experience.

Soft and pillowy dough becomes a canvas for vibrant ingredients.

Fragrant herbs and ripe tomatoes create a symphony of taste that feels both comforting and exciting.

Fresh basil leaves scattered generously add a burst of aromatic excitement to this classic Italian staple.

Crisp edges and a tender interior make this focaccia irresistible.

You’ll want to tear into this warm, inviting bread and savor every delectable moment.

Tomato Basil Focaccia With Rustic Aroma and Chew

• Quickly Master Homemade Bread: Easy and rewarding recipe that brings professional bakery results to your kitchen with minimal effort.
• Minimal Time Investment: Requires only 2-3 hours total, including rising and baking, making it perfect for weekend cooking or casual meal preparation.
• Family-Friendly Cooking Experience: Engaging recipe that allows kids and adults to participate together, creating dimples in dough and arranging colorful toppings, transforming cooking into a fun shared activity.
• Restaurant-Quality Results at Home: Delivers authentic Italian-style focaccia with crispy edges, soft interior, and gourmet flavor profile that rivals professional bakery offerings, all prepared in your own kitchen.

Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread Ingredient List

• Flour: Provides structure and texture for the focaccia, choose all-purpose or bread flour for best results.
• Water: Essential liquid for activating yeast and forming dough, use warm water to help yeast grow.
• Yeast: Crucial for bread rising and creating airy texture, active dry or instant yeast works well.

• Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps yeast activation, local honey provides richer flavor.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and moisture to the dough, extra virgin olive oil recommended for best taste.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Basil: Fresh ingredients that add vibrant color and Mediterranean flavor, use ripe and seasonal produce.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and savory notes, fresh garlic cloves offer more intense flavor.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Enhances overall taste and creates beautiful exterior texture, Maldon or kosher salt recommended.

Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread Rustic Baking Guide

Step 1: Activate Yeast Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and honey.

Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant.

This step helps wake up the yeast and prepare it for bread making.

Step 2: Mix Dough Components

Incorporate flour, salt, and olive oil into the yeast mixture.

Stir until a shaggy dough begins to form.

Don’t worry about perfect texture at this point – just combine ingredients thoroughly.

Step 3: Knead and Develop Texture

Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead vigorously for 5-7 minutes.

Work the dough until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly springy to the touch.

This process develops gluten and creates a better bread structure.

Step 4: First Rise

Place the kneaded dough in a generously oiled bowl.

Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm, draft-free spot for 1-2 hours.

The dough should double in size and look puffy and soft.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Surface

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Select a baking sheet or cast iron skillet and coat generously with olive oil to prevent sticking and create a crispy bottom.

Step 6: Shape and Dimple Dough

Gently stretch the risen dough into the prepared pan.

Use your fingertips to create signature focaccia dimples across the surface, pressing down firmly but carefully.

Step 7: Add Flavorful Toppings

Drizzle additional olive oil over the dough.

• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Minced garlic
• Fresh basil leaves

Sprinkle flaky sea salt across the surface for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the focaccia into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the top looks crispy and delicious.

The aroma will fill your kitchen with Mediterranean warmth.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the focaccia cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a cutting board, slice, and serve warm as a delightful side or standalone treat.

Focaccia Bread Tips for Tomato Basil Flavor

• Ensure water is lukewarm (not hot) to prevent killing the yeast, creating a fluffy, well-risen focaccia.
• Use fingertips to create deep, even dimples across the dough, helping olive oil pool and creating signature focaccia texture.
• Select ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes that roast beautifully and release concentrated flavor during baking.
• Use fresh basil leaves right before serving to maintain vibrant color and maximum aromatic impact.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious bread.

Focaccia Bread Keep Fresh

• Store cooled focaccia in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for 2-3 weeks to preserve texture and flavor.
• Warm slices at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, restoring crispy edges and soft interior without drying out the bread.
• Allow frozen focaccia to thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, maintaining its delicious rustic quality.

Rustic Additions for Tomato Basil Focaccia

• Savor Complementary Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, light-bodied Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio to enhance the bread's herbal and tomato notes without overpowering its delicate flavors.
• Create Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Serve the focaccia alongside creamy hummus, roasted red pepper dip, and marinated olives to craft a vibrant appetizer board that celebrates Mediterranean culinary traditions.
• Match with Fresh Salad Companion: Prepare a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to provide a peppery, bright contrast that cuts through the bread's rich olive oil base.
• Elevate with Herb-Infused Dipping Oil: Blend extra virgin olive oil with crushed garlic, fresh rosemary, and red pepper flakes for an aromatic dipping sauce that amplifies the focaccia's herbal undertones.

Tasty Takes On Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free flour mix and almond flour for a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap honey with maple syrup and use plant-based olive oil to create a dairy-free and egg-free focaccia.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute traditional flour with cauliflower flour or almond flour to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a bread-like texture.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Replace basil and cherry tomatoes with sundried tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme for a different regional flavor profile.

FAQs

• What is the purpose of adding honey to the yeast mixture?

Honey helps activate the yeast by providing food for it to grow, which promotes better rising and adds a subtle sweetness to the bread dough.

• Why do I need to create dimples in the focaccia dough?

The dimples help trap olive oil and create those classic focaccia texture pockets, allowing the bread to have a more interesting surface and capture more flavor from the toppings.

• Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?

While fresh basil provides the best flavor and aroma, you can use dried basil, but reduce the amount to about 1/3 of the fresh quantity and sprinkle it towards the end of baking to prevent burning.

• How do I know the dough has risen properly?

The dough should roughly double in size and look puffy. When you gently press the dough with a finger, it should slowly spring back, indicating it has risen correctly and is ready for baking.

Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade Tomato Basil Focaccia brings Mediterranean warmth to kitchen tables with its golden, herb-infused crust and juicy tomato peaks. Crisp edges, tender crumb, and fragrant basil invite passionate bakers and bread enthusiasts to savor each delightful slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Flour and Yeast:

• 3 1/2 cups (437.5 grams) all-purpose or bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast

Liquid and Sweeteners:

• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey or sugar

Seasoning and Salt:

• 1 teaspoon salt

Toppings:

• 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil, for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining warm water, yeast, and honey in a mixing vessel. Allow the mixture to bloom and develop a frothy texture for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Incorporate flour, salt, and olive oil into the yeast mixture, stirring until a rough, uneven dough begins to form.
3. Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead vigorously for 6-8 minutes, developing a smooth, cohesive texture that springs back when gently pressed.
4. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled container, cover with a damp cloth, and permit fermentation in a warm environment until the volume doubles, roughly 1-1.5 hours.
5. Heat the oven to 425°F, preparing a baking sheet or cast iron skillet with a generous coating of olive oil.
6. Gently manipulate the risen dough, stretching it carefully across the prepared pan, using fingertips to create characteristic rustic dimples throughout the surface.
7. Generously drizzle additional olive oil across the dough’s surface, ensuring even coverage.
8. Artfully distribute cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and fresh basil leaves across the dough’s landscape.
9. Conclude by sprinkling flaky sea salt over the focaccia, enhancing its visual appeal and flavor profile.
10. Bake until the edges turn golden brown and the surface develops a crisp, enticing texture, approximately 20-25 minutes.

Notes

• Choose fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for the most vibrant flavor burst in every bite.
• Ensure your yeast is fresh and active by checking the expiration date to guarantee perfect rising.
• Use extra-virgin olive oil for a rich, authentic Mediterranean taste that elevates the bread’s overall profile.
• Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot to help develop a light, airy texture that makes focaccia irresistibly soft.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg