Vegan Focaccia Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Focaccia is an Italian bread known for its soft texture, rich flavor, and a delightful crispiness on the outside. It’s often seasoned with a variety of herbs, olive oil, and salt, making it perfect for pairing with soups, salads, or as a side dish to any meal. What makes focaccia even better is that it’s versatile and can be made completely vegan without compromising on taste. This article will guide you step-by-step through the process of making a mouth-watering vegan focaccia, so you can enjoy this delightful bread at home.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or someone trying focaccia for the first time, this simple recipe will help you create the perfect loaf of focaccia. Let’s dive right in!

Serves:

This recipe will make a focaccia large enough to serve 4 to 6 people, depending on how it is cut and served.

Ingredients:

• 500g (about 4 cups) all-purpose flour

• 7g (1 packet) instant dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)

• 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or dried if fresh is unavailable)

• Coarse sea salt for topping

Optional Toppings:

• Cherry tomatoes

• Olives

• Red onions

• Garlic cloves

This list covers the essential ingredients for a traditional focaccia. However, one of the wonderful things about focaccia is that it can be easily customized with your favorite toppings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Vegan Focaccia

1. Prepare the Dough

Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine warm water with sugar and dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. After this time, the yeast should start to bubble and foam, signaling that it’s ready to use. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired, and you should try again with a fresh packet.

Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a small well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Add the olive oil and stir the ingredients together until a dough starts to form.

2. Knead the Dough

Once the dough begins to come together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8 to 10 minutes. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle it lightly with more flour as you knead, but be careful not to add too much. The dough should be smooth and elastic when ready.

3. First Rise

After kneading, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the bowl in an oven preheated to the lowest setting for a faster rise.

4. Prepare the Baking Tray

While the dough is rising, prepare your baking tray. Drizzle some olive oil into a baking dish or sheet pan (about 9×13 inches or similar). Spread the oil around evenly to coat the bottom of the pan. This will not only prevent the bread from sticking but also give it a crispy texture on the bottom.

5. Shape the Focaccia

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn it out onto the prepared baking tray and spread it out using your fingers to gently press it into the shape of the pan. Focaccia is traditionally quite thick, so don’t worry about stretching it too thin. Make sure the dough covers the entire surface of the pan.

6. Add Toppings and Second Rise

At this point, you can get creative with your toppings. Fresh rosemary is a classic choice for focaccia, so sprinkle some on top of the dough, pressing it gently into the surface. If you’re adding cherry tomatoes, olives, onions, or garlic, now is the time to arrange them on the dough. After adding your toppings, cover the dough again and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

7. Preheat the Oven

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the bread bakes evenly and comes out perfectly golden and crispy.

8. Bake the Focaccia

Once the dough has completed its second rise, drizzle a little more olive oil on top of the dough for extra flavor and crispiness. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the surface and then place the tray in the oven.

Bake the focaccia for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you like a particularly crispy crust, you can bake it for an additional 5 minutes, but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

9. Serve and Enjoy

Once your focaccia is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve it warm with a drizzle of olive oil, or enjoy it as a side dish with your favorite meal. Focaccia is perfect for dipping in balsamic vinegar and olive oil or using it to make delicious vegan sandwiches.

Tips for the Perfect Vegan Focaccia

• Use high-quality olive oil: The olive oil is one of the key ingredients in focaccia, so use a good quality, extra virgin olive oil to achieve the best flavor.

• Experiment with toppings: Focaccia is extremely versatile. You can add any herbs, vegetables, or even a sprinkle of vegan cheese for a unique twist.

• Don’t rush the rising time: The dough needs time to rise properly to achieve the soft, airy texture that makes focaccia so delicious. Be patient during both rises.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Focaccia Recipe

This focaccia recipe is simple yet yields amazing results. It’s perfect for any occasion, whether you’re preparing it as a side for a family dinner or as a standalone snack with a warm cup of soup. Plus, it’s completely vegan, so everyone can enjoy it!

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to master the art of making homemade focaccia and impress your friends and family with your baking skills.

Wrapping Up…

Making your own vegan focaccia at home is incredibly rewarding. It’s simple to prepare, and with the right ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll end up with a soft, flavorful bread that’s perfect for any meal. Try it out today and discover how easy it is to bake bread that’s not only vegan but full of flavor.

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