Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia is a flavorful Italian-inspired bread that combines a soft, airy interior with a crisp golden crust. Infused with olive oil and topped with savory sun-dried tomatoes, this homemade focaccia is perfect as an appetizer, side dish, sandwich bread, or accompaniment to soups and salads. Its rich flavor and beautiful presentation make it a favorite for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Focaccia is known for its signature dimpled surface, which allows olive oil and toppings to settle into the dough as it bakes. The result is a bread that is tender on the inside while developing a lightly crisp and flavorful exterior. Adding sun-dried tomatoes brings a concentrated sweetness and tangy depth that pairs wonderfully with the bread’s soft texture and olive oil richness.
The dough itself is made with simple ingredients: flour, yeast, water, olive oil, and salt. After mixing, the dough is allowed to rise until light and airy. This fermentation process develops flavor and creates the characteristic texture that makes focaccia so enjoyable. Once risen, the dough is gently stretched into a baking pan and pressed with fingertips to create the traditional dimples.
Generous amounts of olive oil are drizzled over the surface before topping the dough with chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Fresh rosemary, garlic, flaky sea salt, and cracked black pepper can also be added to enhance the flavor even further. During baking, the tomatoes become slightly caramelized, creating delicious bursts of savory sweetness throughout the bread.
One of the reasons Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia is so popular is its versatility. It can be served warm straight from the oven, sliced into squares for entertaining, or used as the base for gourmet sandwiches. It pairs beautifully with olive oil dipping sauces, charcuterie boards, pasta dishes, and fresh salads. Leftovers can even be toasted for extra texture and flavor.
Although it looks impressive, focaccia is surprisingly approachable for home bakers. The dough is forgiving, and the simple preparation process makes it a great introduction to yeast baking. With minimal ingredients and a little patience, you can create bakery-quality bread right in your own kitchen.
This Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia delivers everything you want in homemade bread: a soft, chewy crumb, a golden crust, and bold Mediterranean flavors. It’s a delicious recipe that brings warmth, comfort, and authentic Italian character to any meal.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons fine salt
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil plus more for greasing and drizzling
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and fine salt.
- Add the warm water and olive oil, then stir until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains.
- Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Generously oil a 9×13-inch baking pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and gently stretch it toward the edges. If it resists, let it rest for 10 minutes, then stretch again.
- Cover and let rise again for 20 to 30 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle the dough with more olive oil, dimple the surface with your fingertips, and sprinkle with rosemary and flaky sea salt.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until deeply golden brown.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.
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