Overnight, Refrigerator Focaccia = The Best Focaccia Bread Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Cold, refrigerated dough is the secret to making delicious focaccia! Allowing the dough to rest 18 to 48 hours in the fridge will yield extra-pillowy and airy focaccia, though if you are pressed for time, you can make this start-to-finish in 3 hours. This 4-ingredient recipe requires only 5 minutes of hands-on time. Video guidance below!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review:
“Love this recipe! I’ve made this so many times that I’ve lost count. Super simple and delicious. My family loves it. Whenever someone asks me for a focaccia recipe, I always show them this one. This recipe is awesome. Thank you for sharing!” — Lucy
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: focaccia is the bread recipe for beginners. Why? Because:
- The no-knead, 4-ingredient dough takes 5 minutes to mix together.
- It requires no special equipment, no tricky shaping technique, and no scoring.
- If you have a 9×13-inch baking pan and your fingertips (for dimpling), you’re good to go.
- It emerges soft and pillowy, olive oil-crusted, golden all around, and it’s completely irresistible.
In sum, it’s hard to beat focaccia in the effort-to-reward category. If you are intimidated by bread baking, this is the recipe I suggest making first, both for its simplicity and flavor. After all, this focaccia bread recipe is adapted from my mother’s simple peasant bread recipe, a recipe that has removed the fear of the bread baking process for many.
This post is organized as follows:
- Two Secrets for the Best Focaccia
- Four Tips for Success
- How This Focaccia Recipe Differs from Others
- Focaccia Ingredients
- How to Make Focaccia, Step by Step
- Adding Rosemary, Herbs and Other Toppings to your Focaccia Dough
- How to Make a Focaccia Bread Art
- Can I Skip the Overnight Rise?
PS: Once you master this simple focaccia, try your hand at this simple sourdough bread recipe, another recipe that requires minimal effort but yields spectacular results.
Two Secrets for the Best Focaccia
This focaccia emerges from the oven golden all around and pillowy inside, its surface dimpled with deep crevices, namely for two reasons:
- High hydration dough. This focaccia is 88% hydration.
- Long cold slow fermentation. This dough ferments in the fridge for at least 12 hours or for as long as three days.
Let’s explore each reason:
A high-hydration dough is a dough with a high proportion of water relative to the flour. A high proportion of water will create a light and air dough and ultimately a focaccia with beautiful air pockets throughout. (Incidentally, this is the secret to making excellent pizza dough, too.)
A cold fermentation is beneficial to dough because it slows the fermentation process down and during this long, cold fermentation, enzymes in both the flour and the yeast break down the starches in the flour into simple sugars. These sugars contribute both to flavor and to browning. Cool, right?
Furthermore, a long slow fermentation strengthens gluten, which will further promote a crumb structure with lots of air pockets throughout.
How This Focaccia Recipe Differs from Others
There are lots of focaccia bread recipes out there, so why make this one? This one differs from many of the recipes out there in two ways:
- The long, cold, refrigerator rise.
- The absence of sugar or honey or any sort of sweetener.
Why isn’t there any sweetener in this recipe? Simply stated, a sweetener is just not needed — the yeast, contrary to popular belief, does not need sugar to activate or thrive. Sugar will speed things up, but when you’re employing a long, slow rise, speed is not the name of the game.
As noted above, during the long, cold fermentation, enzymes in both the flour and the yeast will break down the starches in the flour into simple sugars, which will contribute both to flavor and to browning, rendering sugar unnecessary.
Four Tips for Success
- Allowing the dough to rest 18 to 24 hours in the fridge yields the best results. (You can leave the dough in the fridge for as long as 72 hours.)
- A buttered or parchment-lined pan in addition to the olive oil will prevent sticking. When I use Pyrex or other glass pans, butter plus oil is essential to prevent sticking. When I use my 9×13-inch USA Pan, I can get away with using olive oil alone.
- Count on 2 to 4 hours for the second rise. This will depend on the temperature of your kitchen and the time of year.
- After the second rise, dimple the dough, then immediately stick the pans in the oven — this has been a critical difference for me in terms of keeping those desirable crevices. If you dimple and let the dough rise again even for 20 minutes before popping the pan in the oven, the crevices begin to dissolve.
Ingredients
- Flour: bread flour or all-purpose flour will work equally well here. If you live in a humid environment or abroad, I suggest trying to get your hands on bread flour. King Arthur Flour is my preference.
- Yeast: SAF Instant Yeast is my preference, but active dry yeast works just as well. See recipe box for instructions on how to use active-dry yeast in place of instant.
- Salt: I say this all the time, but a big part of making a good loaf of bread comes down simply to using the right amount of salt given the amount of flour you are using by weight. It’s like anything: bread has to be well seasoned. At a minimum, use 10 grams (2 teaspoons) of salt for every 500 grams (4 cups) of flour. I highly recommend investing in some good, flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top of the focaccia dough — it tastes better than the more finely ground varieties of salt. I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt for the dough, but any salt you have on hand will work just fine for the dough.
- Water: There is a lot of water in this dough — it’s 88% hydration — and all of that water helps produce a light, airy, pillowy dough.
- Olive oil: Olive oil both in the bottom of the pan and on top of the dough is essential for encouraging nice browning, flavor, and that quintessential oiliness we all love about focaccia.
- Rosemary or other seasonings: Rosemary is a classic focaccia topping, and you can either sprinkle it over the dough before baking or you can chop it up and add it to the dough. Many people love sun-dried tomatoes and olives in their focaccia. See below for how to incorporate these other ingredients into your focaccia dough.
How to Make Focaccia Bread, Step by Step
Gather your ingredients: 4 cups (512 g) flour, 2 teaspoons (10 g) salt, 2 teaspoons (8 g) instant yeast (SAF is my preference), 2 cups (455 g) water:
Whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast first:
Add the water:
Use a spatula to stir the two together.
Slick the dough with olive oil…
… then cover the bowl preferably with a lid. or a cloth bowl cover. Stick the bowl in the fridge immediately; leave it there to rise for 12 to 18 hours (or for as long as three days).
NOTE: It is important the dough really be slicked with olive oil especially if you are using a cloth bowl cover or tea towel as opposed to plastic wrap or a lid. If you are using a tea towel, consider securing it with a rubber band to make a more airtight cover. If you do not slick the dough with enough oil, you risk the dough drying out and forming a crust over the top layer.
Remove from fridge, and remove the cover:
Deflate the dough and transfer to a prepared pan. I love this 9×13-inch USA pan. If you don’t have one you can use two 8- or 9-inch pie plates or something similar. If you are using glass baking dishes be sure to grease the dishes with butter before pouring a tablespoon of olive oil into each. (The butter will ensure the bread doesn’t stick.) Don’t touch the dough again for 2 to 4 hours depending on your environment.
After two to four hours, or when the dough looks like this…:
… it’s time to dimple it! You can simply use olive oil and salt — I recommend good, flaky sea salt for this. Note, the dough in the photo below spent three days in the fridge, and the dough was super bubbly!
if you are using rosemary, sprinkle it over the dough. Then pour two tablespoons of olive oil over the dough, and using your fingers, press straight down to create deep dimples. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt — again, something like Maldon is great here.
Transfer to oven immediately and bake at 425ºF for 25 minutes or until golden all around. Remove focaccia from pans and place on cooling racks.
How to Incorporate Rosemary, Herbs, and Other Ingredients & Toppings into Your Focaccia Dough
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is: How can I add other toppings or ingredients to my focaccia bread? You can do this in two ways:
- Add them on top as you would rosemary or other herbs. The key is to make sure the ingredients are slicked lightly with olive oil to ensure they do not burn in the oven. I like to sprinkle the rosemary over top of the dough, then drizzle it with olive oil, then dimple the dough.
- You can add them directly to the dough. In step one, when you whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast, add your ingredients — chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic — to the flour and toss to coat; then add the water.
How to Make Focaccia Bread Art
Pictured above is my “Ode to Spring” (🤣) Focaccia Bread Art (or Garden Scape). As noted above, the key with adding toppings is to slick them lightly with olive oil to ensure they don’t completely char. Keep in mind that some items will char, and a little charring is not a bad thing.
To make a focaccia bread art:
- Follow the recipe through the step in which you dimple the dough just before baking. Arrange your toppings — sliced peppers, asparagus, scallions, olives, tomatoes, onions, etc. — over top and dimple again, pressing the ingredients into the dough to embed them — you can be more aggressive than you think.
- Brush the entire surface with olive oil; then sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake as directed.
PS: How to Make Focaccia Slab Sandwiches
Can I Make this Overnight Focaccia Without the Overnight Rise?
Yes, you can. In fact, in my cookbook, Bread Toast Crumbs, I do not employ an overnight rise. Start-to-finish it can be made in about three hours. The finished bread will not be as pillowy, but it will still be light, airy, and delicious.
To skip the overnight rise, simply let the mixed dough rise at room temperature until doubled, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Then proceed with the recipe, knowing the second rise will only take about 30 minutes.
The Best, Easiest Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 18 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves
Description
Cold, refrigerated dough is the secret to making delicious focaccia! Allowing the dough to rest 18 to 24 hours (or for as long as 3 days) in the fridge will yield extra-pillowy and airy focaccia, though if you are pressed for time, you can make this start-to-finish in 3 hours. This 4-ingredient recipe requires only 5 minutes of hands-on time. Video guidance below!
Adapted from the focaccia recipe in Bread Toast Crumbs.
A few notes:
- Plan ahead: While you certainly could make this more quickly, it turns out especially well if you mix the dough the day before you plan on baking it. The second rise, too, takes 2 to 4 hours.
- If you are short on time and need to make the focaccia tonight: Let the mixed dough rise at room temperature until doubled, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Then proceed with the recipe, knowing the second rise will only take about 30 minutes.
- You can use various pans to make this focaccia such as: two 9-inch Pyrex pie plates. (Use butter + oil to prevent sticking.) One 9×13-inch pan, such as this USA pan — do not split the dough in half, if you use this option, which will create a thicker focaccia . A 13×18-inch rimmed sheet pan — this creates a thinner focaccia, which is great for slab sandwiches.
- As always, for best results, use a digital scale to measure the flour and water.
- I love SAF instant yeast. I buy it in bulk, transfer it to a quart storage container, and store it in my fridge for months. You can store it in the freezer also.
- If you are using active-dry yeast, simply sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm water and let it stand for 15 minutes or until it gets foamy; then proceed with the recipe.
- Flour: You can use all-purpose or bread flour here with great results. If you live in a humid environment, I would suggest using bread flour. If you are in Canada or the UK, also consider using bread flour or consider holding back some of the water. Reference the video for how the texture of the bread should look; then add water back as needed.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (512 g) all-purpose flour or bread flour, see notes above
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons (8 g) instant yeast, see notes above if using active dry
- 2 cups (455 g) lukewarm water, made by combining 1/2 cup boiling water with 1 1/2 cups cold water
- butter for greasing
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- flaky sea salt, such as Maldon
- 1 to 2 teaspoons whole rosemary leaves, optional
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the water. Using a rubber spatula, mix until the liquid is absorbed and the ingredients form a sticky dough ball. Rub the surface of the dough lightly with olive oil. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel, cloth bowl cover, or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator immediately for at least 12 hours or for as long as three days. (See notes above if you need to skip the overnight rise for time purposes.) NOTE: It is important the dough really be slicked with olive oil especially if you are using a cloth bowl cover or tea towel as opposed to plastic wrap or a hard lid. If you are using a tea towel, consider securing it with a rubber band to make a more airtight cover. If you do not slick the dough with enough oil, you risk the dough drying out and forming a crust over the top layer.
- Line two 8- or 9-inch pie plates or a 9×13-inch pan (see notes above) with parchment paper or grease with butter or coat with nonstick cooking spray. (Note: This greasing step may seem excessive, but with some pans, it is imperative to do so to prevent sticking. With my USA pans, I can get away with olive oil alone; with my glass baking dishes, butter is a must.)
- Pour a tablespoon of oil into the center of each pan or 2 tablespoons of oil if using the 9×13-inch pan. Using two forks, deflate the dough by releasing it from the sides of the bowl and pulling it toward the center. Rotate the bowl in quarter turns as you deflate, turning the mass into a rough ball. Use the forks to split the dough into two equal pieces (or do not split if using the 9×13-inch pan). Place one piece into one of the prepared pans. Roll the dough ball in the oil to coat it all over, forming a rough ball. Repeat with the remaining piece. Let the dough balls rest for 3 to 4 hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen (Note: no need to cover for this room temperature rise).
- Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 425°F. If using the rosemary, sprinkle it over the dough. Pour a tablespoon of oil over each round of dough (or two tablespoons if using a 9×13-inch pan). Rub your hands lightly in the oil to coat, then, using all of your fingers, press straight down to create deep dimples. If necessary, gently stretch the dough as you dimple to allow the dough to fill the pan. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt all over.
- Transfer the pans or pan to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the underside is golden and crisp. Remove the pans or pan from the oven and transfer the focaccia to a cooling rack. Let it cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving; let it cool completely if you are halving it with the intention of making a sandwich.
- To store the focaccia: When it has completely cooled, transfer it to an airtight bag or vessel and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. Otherwise, freeze it for up to 3 months. Always reheat it on subsequent days to revive its crust: 350ºF for 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 18 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
5,181 Comments on “Overnight, Refrigerator Focaccia = The Best Focaccia Bread Recipe”
This was fantastic and hard to screw up! I ate way more than I should have! I made one with zaatar and flaky salt sprinkle; for the other I used feta and olives.
Yum! Those toppings sound so good, Kinara!
Love baking bread but hadn’t tried focaccia yet. Just finished eating a piece along with some chicken soup. Bread was crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. Reminded me of the bread I have eaten in Italy. I will definitely be making this again, easy recipe to follow and delicious. Thank you!
Wonderful to hear, Maria! Thanks so much for writing 🙂 🙂 🙂
So light, so fluffy, a little greasy(in a good way!) Just delicious! I opted for the 72 hr rise in the refrigerator. i luv this recipe. Thanks for sharing and listing all the details! The video was extremely helpful.
Great to hear, Mar! Thanks so much for writing 🙂 🙂 🙂
did you use ap or bread flour for the loaf in the video? if you had to choose one, which would u prefer?
Hi David,
Honestly, I don’t remember what I used in the video. For me, the difference is generally negligible, but I recommend bread flour to people who live in humid environments or who feel wary about handling super wet sticky dough — bread flour will absorb more of the water.
I hope that helps!
I made this recipe – topped mine with flakey salt, nutritional yeast, thyme, and mushrooms just what I had in stock. It was literally one of the most perfectly delicious experiences I have had eating bread in my life. I took a bite out of the oven and was transported in time to my peasant ancestors milling flower in the medieval era giving me a thumbs up. I wasn’t sure if I would like it initially so I quartered the recipe and cooked it in a loaf tin. Still worked out just fine! I actually also made it a second time to go with a soup that I made. The soup turned out terrible, but with the focaccia I lapped it up like mana of the gods!
Seriously! Make this bread it is SO GOOD!
Love all of this so much 🤣🤣🤣💕💕💕 Thanks so much for writing.
I made this and ate the whole loaf in two days.. lolo. My husband did get a few pieces but very few. I put olives and rosemary and maldon salt on half and on the other half cheddar cheese and jalapenos, salt. It was easy and turned out fabulous. Im going to make it again tomorrow.. Excllent for small sandwiches so pillowy inside but love the outter crunch!!!Thank you for the great recipe. Cherie
All of those toppings/add-ins sound fabulous! Thanks for writing, Cherie 🙂 🙂 🙂
When you quartered the recipe did you quarter the yeast, sugar and water amounts too? I want to make a small focaccia for one and want to know if I can simply quarter every ingredient or if that would be too little yeast. Thank you
Sorry put in wrong post
When you quartered the recipe did you quarter the yeast, sugar and water amounts too? I want to make a small focaccia for one and want to know if I can simply quarter every ingredient or if that would be too little yeast. Appreciate your help
I’m going to use your Easy Focaccia bread recipe for a Nonna Bread pizza that they sell in Italian Bakeries and Delli’s in Chicago. I have one question, can I rest it in the refrigerator for 24 hrs or longer?
Yep! I’ve left it there for as long as 3 days.
I am NOT a baker. I shy away from anything that requires precise measurements and patience, but… THIS! I was looking for something comforting to bring to a friend who recently lost a friend. I made my trusty beef stew and crossed my fingers this would turn out. Everything I’ve ever made with yeast has been a disaster! Your instructions are so clear and along with the video (which I’ve watched 853 times), I knew I couldn’t fail! This turned out so perfectly. My friend asked if I went to culinary school! We made it again the next night and now I’m making it again (the following weekend)! Thank you for making me look like a pro. This is delectable! With love, another Alexandra!
Awwww, it’s so nice to read all of this, Alexandra 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thanks so much for writing and sharing your experience. How nice for your friend to have you 💕💕💕💕💕
This is delicious! Did the 3 hour recipe & it was fine. I added dried rosemary & salt before baking. I would add more of each next time. Thanks!
Great to hear, Konna! Thanks so much for writing 🙂 🙂 🙂
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! Thank you so much for this intro to bread making. It is becoming one of our household staples. It is so darn easy, tasty, and inexpensive to make. Two years ago I set myself up for bread making and just hadn’t taken the leap to give it a go until 3 months ago when I found this recipe and now I don’t feel as intimidated. Next… sour dough! Thumbs up to you!
Great to hear, Lorrinda! Thanks so much for writing. And yay for sourdough 🙂 🙂 🙂
Holy Mother of God. a definate 5-star recipe w great instructions and tips. Just cut mine and promptly placed in a ziplock, then freezer.
Threw on some of my dried rosemary just before oil & dimpling. Baked 25 minutes then threw on some grated parm reg and continued baking about 5 minutes so cheese wouldn’t hide big dimples and bubbles. Light chewy crumb w tender crisp salty crust. Insanely easy. I use bread flour.
Great to hear, Teresa! Thanks so much for writing and sharing your notes 🙂 🙂 🙂
Can we put it in the chicken or must be in fridge?
Hi! Can you clarify?
First time I ever made any kind of bread and this was delicious! I had my oven at 425 with the convection on and it seemed ready in only 15 minutes, golden on top and bottom. Everyone loved the texture, which was quite soft when you cut into it. So, watch it carefully. Others might like a harder texture. It’s so easy! I hope I get such a good result next time!
Great to hear! Thanks for writing, Mary 🙂
This was so easy, fun, and delicious! The first time, I made it as the recipe said. Just now I made it again but with Whole Wheat flour for some of the flour. For a half recipe (one loaf), I used 100 g Whole Wheat flour and 156 g all-purpose flour. Came out great! I left it in refrig for 21 hours and on the counter for almost four. Really a great recipe! So far have only made rosemary-, but looking forward to the other variations!
Great to hear, Mel! Thanks for writing and sharing your notes.
Omg it was amazing, I put rosemary, sea salt, cherry tomatoes, black olives and made a pesto olive oil mixture to pour on top. It was so good
Great to hear, Wade! Your toppings sound amazing. Thanks for writing 🙂
This makes an absolutely excellent bread. I live in the rainforest area of Costa Rica and I almost always have to make adjustments for heat and humidity. I did a shorter second rise but that was the only change I made. I did both butter and oil my pan and it came out with a perfect crispy bottom. Will definitely be making this recipe again!
Great to hear, Michelle! Thanks so much for writing and sharing your notes.
First time making focaccia. It was so easy and so good! I let the dough sit in the fridge for two days. I did dried rosemary (next time I’ll do fresh) with maldon salt. Delicious!
Great to hear, Sue! Thanks for writing 🙂
Words fail me. I will never NOT use this recipe again. It was AMAZING! Sorry to yell but I would yell this from the rooftops that with this recipe I create art. Thank you so much, Ali … I guess words didn’t fail me lol
So nice to hear this, Catherine 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thanks for writing 🙂
Do you think I could make small individual ones?
I do!
This is so easy and SO delicious. Rave reviews! I made it for a party and everyone asked for the recipe. I topped it with a Greek seasoning and it was fantastic. About to make it again (for the 2nd time in 2 weeks) with minestrone soup.
My daughter is visiting and just got home from Italy. I think she’s going to feel like she’s back there.
Awwww I love this, thanks so much for writing and sharing.
Best recipe ever! I have made this over and over, and this recipe has never failed me. My family ask me to bring my home made focaccia to family functions which I’m happy to do as this requires very little actual work, just time but yet the final result comes across as something that has alot of love and work put into it. Recipe is easy to follow and great advice given.
Great to hear, Nics! Thanks so much for writing.
Indeed I found this is truly the best focaccia recipe. Within a week, I made three batches of focaccia. It is crunchy on the top and soft in the inside. My husband siad that the focaccia is To Die For 😁. Couldn’t agree more!
Wonderful to hear, Linda 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thanks for writing.
Best focaccia i have ever made. My family was in heaven!!!
Great to hear, Karolina 🙂 🙂 🙂
How long would you bake on a sheet pan?
I would start checking at around 18 to 20 minutes.
Hi,
does the second rise has to be covered?
thanks
Nope!
Hi, I’m doing the quick method. I have two questions: Should the dough be covered during the second rise? Also, I found that even with oiling the dough for first rise AND covering securely, I still got a crust. Not sure what went wrong…
No need to cover for the second rise. If you are finding that a crust is forming, I would use plastic wrap or a bowl with a lid next time around. Do you live in a pretty dry climate?
Hi! How would it affect the bake if the dough isn’t out on the counter for 3-4 hours after being refrigerated? Can it be baked sooner or is this a crucial step for a second rise?
The 3-4 hour room temperature is pretty important … it will make for a lighter texture. What did you end up doing?
I am brand new to bread but desperate to make this. I have active dry yeast. Do I do the same 2 tsp or do I have to adjust the amount?
Same amount!
This recipe was the best My family ate it all up.The facocccia was coated with rosemary and olive oi
Great to hear, Brenda!
Hello! I’ve made this recipe and she’s been chillin i. The fridge now for 24 hours, will take our later today to rise and bake. Question – do you think there is enough dough to fit a 13”x 17” sheet pan or should I stick with the 9 x 13
Hi! I’m likely too late here. It’s all about what thickness you are going for. You can make a thin focaccia in the larger pan or a thicker focaccia in the smaller pan. Both will work!
Super easy and impressive!
Great to hear, Jodi!