Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of bread-making with a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for Vegan Rosemary Focaccia. This classic Italian bread is a favorite of mine and I'm excited to share my vegan twist on it with you!
But before we get started, let's talk about why making your own bread is so satisfying. There's something incredibly therapeutic about kneading dough and watching it rise, knowing that you're creating something delicious and nourishing from scratch.
Plus, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home is just heavenly. So, grab your apron and let's get baking!
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When it comes to making homemade bread, many people are intimidated by the process. But the truth is, making bread from scratch doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming. With a simple recipe like this Easy Vegan Rosemary Focaccia, you can have delicious, fresh bread in no time.
One of the things I love about this recipe is how versatile it is. While I love the classic combination of rosemary and sea salt, you can easily switch up the toppings to suit your taste. Try adding sliced tomatoes and olives for a Mediterranean twist, or sprinkle some garlic powder and grated vegan cheese on top for a cheesy focaccia. The possibilities are endless!
So why not give this Easy Focaccia recipe a try and see just how simple and satisfying bread-making can be? I promise, once you start making your own bread, you'll never want to go back to store-bought!
❤️ What's Great About this Recipe
- It's vegan!
- The bread is fluffy and soft on the inside, with a crispy exterior.
- It uses simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry.
- The recipe is easy to follow, making it great for beginners.
- The addition of rosemary gives the bread a delicious flavor.
- It's a great base for a homemade Vegan Focaccia Sandwich!
- The recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to your liking.
- It's perfect for dipping into olive oil and balsamic vinegar - so delicious!
A little History Excursion About Focaccia
Focaccia is a classic Italian bread that dates back to ancient Rome. The name "focaccia" comes from the Latin word "focus," which means "hearth" or "fireplace."
In its early days, focaccia was a simple flatbread made with flour, water, and olive oil, and was often used as a quick and easy meal for peasants. Over time, the recipe evolved and more ingredients were added, such as herbs, spices, and cheese.
Today, focaccia is a beloved bread all over Italy and beyond, and can be found in many different variations depending on the region.
Is Focaccia Considered Healthy?
Focaccia is typically made with flour, yeast, salt, and olive oil. This vegan rosemary focaccia recipe uses simple and wholesome ingredients, making it a healthier option than store-bought varieties that may contain additives and preservatives. However, it is still important to consume it in moderation, as it is high in fat and carbohydrates.
🌱 Ingredients & Notes
Here is everything you need for this recipe:
- Flour - You can use bread flour or all-purpose flour for this recipe. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which makes for a chewier and denser bread.
- Water - Use room temperature water.
- Yeast - I like to use dry active yeast for making focaccia.
- Sugar - The sugar helps to activate the yeast.
- Salt - Use sea salt flakes for the best flavor.
- Olive oil - Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Rosemary - Fresh rosemary tastes best with for focaccia!
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for detailed quantities and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
In case you don't have everything to hand, here a few ideas and notes for possible substitutions:
- Yeast - You can use instant yeast instead of dry active yeast. If you use instant yeast, you can skip the step of proofing the yeast.
- Rosemary - You can use dried rosemary instead of fresh if you don't have fresh rosemary on hand. Simply use ⅓ of the amount of dried rosemary as fresh.
This easy vegan rosemary focaccia recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to your liking. Here are a few delicious ideas:
- Knead olives into the dough and top with more olives, olive oil and a little sea salt
- Use truffle oil instead of olive oil
- Add fresh cherry tomatoes and garlic to the top
- Make a herb-infused focaccia and top with your favourite herbs
- Top with wild garlic and black pepper
- Add nutritional yeast to the dough and top with tomatoes & vegan feta
- Use the focaccia dough base to create focaccia rolls!
🔪 Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cling film or a clean kitchen towel
- Oven
- Non-stick baking parchment or baking mat
🧑🍳 How to Make Focaccia (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Kneading the dough
- Place the flour, dry yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the water little by little while continuing to mix - don't add all the water at once, add just enough to get the right consistency of the dough. It's supposed to be soft and sticky but not wet. Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil and gently knead with your hands for a few minutes.
Step 2: Resting & Stretching
- Sprinkle the surface of the dough with a little flour, then cover the bowl with cling film and leave the dough to rest for two hours in a warm place.
- After two hours, cover the bottom of a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Grease the paper with a little oil and place the dough on top. Flatten the dough with your hands gently, pushing it to the corners. Leave the dough to rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 3: Adding flavor and baking
- After half an hour, push the surface of the dough with your fingertips and brush with a little olive oil.
- Sprinkle salt flakes on top and garnish with fresh rosemary.
- Bake for 25 minutes at 180°C (fan, 200°C static, 350°F).
🍽️ Serving
Focaccia is best served fresh and warm, but it can be served hot or cold, and is a great addition to any meal.
It’s such a versatile bread that can be served in so many ways. It's perfect for dipping into olive oil and balsamic vinegar, but it also pairs well with soups, stews, and salads. You can also use it as a base for bruschetta or sandwiches, such as this Vegan Parmigiana Sandwich.
Extra tip - Vegan focaccia pizza: Simply add your favorite pizza toppings on top of the focaccia dough and bake it in the oven. This recipe is perfect for those who both love pizza and focaccia!
Ideas for Focaccia Toppings
One of the great things about focaccia is that you can customize it with a variety of toppings. If you're vegan, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Here are a few ideas:
- Grilled vegetables and vegan cheese
- Roasted garlic and caramelized onions or cherry tomatoes
- Sun-dried tomatoes and vegan pesto
- Black olives and fresh herbs
- Roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts or sliced black olives
- Caramelized onions and mushrooms
- Artichoke hearts and kalamata olives
- Vegan cheese and fresh basil
What to Serve with Focaccia
Vegan rosemary focaccia pairs well with a variety of meals, including soups, salads, pasta dishes, and sandwiches. Enjoy it alongside a bowl of Spicy Swede Soup, with a plate of Vegan Boursin Pasta or turn it into a sandwich alongside Vegan Rice Paper Bacon and Homemade Vegan Cheese.
It's also a great addition to a charcuterie board or served as an appetizer with a dip such as hummus or baba ganoush. Enjoy it with a glass of wine or your favorite non-alcoholic beverage!
❄️ How to Store Leftover Focaccia
You can store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To store it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
To reheat, simply place it in a 350°F (180°C) oven for a few minutes until warmed through.
You can also turn any leftover, stale focaccia into salad croutons to repurpose it in a tasty way!
💡 Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use a quality olive oil - Since olive oil is a key ingredient in focaccia, make sure you're using a good quality oil for the best flavor.
- Let the dough rest - Focaccia dough needs time to rest and rise, so be patient and give it plenty of time to do so. This will help ensure a fluffy and delicious end result.
- Experiment with toppings - While rosemary and sea salt are classic focaccia toppings, don't be afraid to mix it up and try different combinations of herbs, spices, and other toppings to create your own unique version.
- Bake on a pizza stone - For a super crispy crust, try baking your focaccia on a pizza stone instead of a baking sheet.
- Serve warm - Focaccia is best served warm, so pop it in the oven for a few minutes before serving if it's cooled down too much.
❓ Recipe FAQs
The best flour for focaccia is bread flour. Bread flour has a higher gluten content than all-purpose flour, which helps the bread rise and gives it a chewy texture. If you don't have bread flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead, but the bread may not be as chewy.
Yes, you can freeze focaccia. To freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The focaccia base can easily be made vegan! Traditional focaccia recipes sometimes include cheese or other dairy products, so it's always best to check when enjoying focaccia at a restaurant. But it is perfectly possible to make a vegan version by omitting these animal ingredients.
🔜 Related Recipes
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📝 Recipe
Here's a handy recipe card that you can print out and keep in your kitchen for easy reference:
📖 Recipe Card
Vegan Rosemary Focaccia
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 baking tray
- 1 kitchen brush
- cling film
Ingredients
- 14 oz bread flour (400g)
- 10-12 fl oz water (300-350 ml)
- 1 sachet sachet or dry active yeast (7 g, ¼ oz)
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- fresh rosemary to taste
Instructions
- Place the flour, dry yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the water little by little while continuing to mix - don't add all the water at once, add just enough to get the right consistency of the dough. It's supposed to be soft and sticky but not wet. Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil and gently knead with your hands for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle the surface of the dough with a little flour, then cover the bowl with cling film and leave the dough to rest for two hours in a warm place.
- After two hours, cover the bottom of a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Grease the paper with a little oil and place the dough on top. Flatten the dough with your hands gently pushing it to the corners. Leave the dough to rise for another 30 minutes.
- After half an hour, push the surface of the dough with your fingertips and brush with a little olive oil. Sprinkle salt flakes on top and garnish with fresh rosemary.
- Bake for 25 minutes at 350°F (180°C fan, 200°C static).
- Serve hot or cold with your favourite dips and salads!
Video
Notes
- Nutritional information for reference only. This is a rough estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
If you're looking for something other than oil & vinegar to dip this delicious Italian bread in, then why not try my ultimate vegan cheese sauce? A perfect dip, if you ask me! And if you love vegan baking, be sure to try some of my other great recipes, like these:
Flourless Vegan Protein Bread Recipe - gluten free
Vegan Triple Chocolate and Pecan Cookies Recipe
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