Sourdough Focaccia Bread: Easy Homemade
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There’s just something about homemade bread that makes Sunday supper feel extra special. This weekend, I decided to bake a batch of sourdough focaccia bread to go with our spaghetti, and y’all—it did not disappoint.
The dough was soft, jiggly, and full of bubbles—exactly what you want for a high-hydration focaccia. I did four sets of stretch and folds over two hours, every thirty minutes, and by the end it had transformed from a runny mess into the most beautiful dough.
When it was time to shape, I coated my pan with avocado oil and used my fingers to oil the sides—bonus, it also keeps your hands from sticking while you gently pull and stretch the dough. I used Thrive Market avocado oil, herb-infused Ballerina Farm salt, and a sprinkle of Finch Farm roasted garlic and rosemary across the top. The aroma alone was heavenly.
I tossed in some fresh basil and oregano from the garden, and if you want to get fancy, you can press in thin slices of tomato or onion before baking and even add a bit of cheese. I baked mine in a thinner pan so it had that perfect soft-crisp texture, but if you like a thicker, more dense focaccia, go for a 9×13 pan.
It was the perfect golden side to our spaghetti—crispy edges, fluffy center, and all the flavor you could ever want in a piece of bread.
Sourdough Focaccia Bread Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 100g active, bubbly sourdough starter
- 400g water (increase or decrease by 30g as needed)
- 500g bread flour
- 10g fine salt
For the Topping:
- 30g Thrive Market Avocado Oil
- 10g herb-infused Ballerina Farm salt
- 1 tbsp Finch Farm roasted garlic and rosemary blend (we found this at SML)
- Optional: cheddar cheese, fresh basil, oregano, sliced tomatoes or onions
How to make sourdough focaccia bread:
1. Mix the Dough
Combine your sourdough starter and water in a large bowl. Stir until combined, then add flour and salt. Mix with a dough scraper or spatula until no dry flour remains—expect it to be sticky and loose.
2. Rest the Dough (Autolyse)
Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rest for about 1 hour.
3. Stretch & Fold
Over the next 2 hours, perform 4 sets of stretch and folds every 30 minutes. Each time, lift and fold the dough over itself about 10–15 times, rotating the bowl. You’ll feel it strengthening with each set.
4. Bulk Ferment
Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature until doubled (or close to it). Focaccia is very forgiving, so near enough is just fine.
5. Shape the Dough
Oil your pan generously—don’t skip the corners! Use your oiled fingers to gently pull the dough to fit the pan. It’ll look loose and jiggly, which means it’s perfect.
6. Second Rise
Let the dough rest until puffy and airy with visible bubbles on top. This could take an hour or two depending on the temperature in your home.
7. Add the Toppings
Pour a drizzle of avocado oil over the surface, then use your fingertips to dimple the dough. Sprinkle with herb-infused salt, roasted garlic, rosemary, cheddar cheese, and fresh herbs.
8. Bake the Focaccia
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
My Tips:
- A thinner pan gives that crisp edge and open crumb; a 9×13 yields a thicker, softer bread, more dense.
- Focaccia dough will feel wetter than sandwich dough—don’t add extra flour! The high hydration gives it that perfect airy bite.
- Don’t stress perfection—this bread is beautifully forgiving and rustic.
- After slicing, sometimes I add a bit of garlic butter and throw it under the broiler.
Bread has a way of gathering people around the table, doesn’t it? I love the simplicity of this recipe—it’s slow, hands-on, and full of heart. Every bubble, stretch, and golden edge feels like a little reminder of God’s goodness in the ordinary moments.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” – Psalm 34:8
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Easy Homemade Sourdough Focaccia
Equipment
- Kitchen Mixer
Ingredients
- 100 g active sourdough starter
- 400 g water
- 500 g bread flour
- 10 g fine salt
- 30 g Avocado oil I use Thrive Market
- 10 g herb-infused Ballerina Farm salt
- 1 tbsp Finch Farm roasted garlic and rosemary blend
- Fresh basil and oregano to taste
- Optional: Cheese, thinly sliced tomatoes or onions for topping
Instructions
- Mix the Dough – Combine sourdough starter and water in a large bowl. Stir until smooth, then add flour and salt. Mix until no dry spots remain. The dough will be sticky and loose.
- Rest – Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for 1 hour.
- Stretch and Fold – Perform 4 sets of stretch and folds every 30 minutes over a 2-hour period. Lift and fold the dough over itself 4 times each round, rotating the bowl. The dough will strengthen and become smoother.
- Bulk Ferment – Cover and let rise at room temperature until doubled or almost doubled in size.
- Shape – Generously oil your pan, including the corners. Use oiled fingers to gently stretch and pull the dough into shape. It should look loose and jiggly with visible bubbles.
- Second Rise – Let the dough rest until puffy and airy.
- Add Toppings – Drizzle avocado oil over the top, then use fingertips to dimple the dough. Sprinkle with herb-infused salt, roasted garlic, rosemary, cheddar cheese, and fresh herbs. Add tomatoes or onions if desired.
- Bake – Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown with crisp edges.
- Cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with pasta, soup, or dipping oil.
Notes
- Focaccia dough has high hydration—it will feel loose and sticky but bakes up beautifully.
- A thin pan creates a crisp, airy texture; a 9×13 yields a thicker, softer bread.
- Don’t be afraid of the bubbles—the jiggle means it’s perfect!
- Use good-quality olive or avocado oil for the best flavor.
About the Host
Hey sweet friend — I’m Ashley, the heart behind SimplyBlessedDesignz and the voice of Unscripted Conversations.
I’m a faith-filled creative who believes in Jesus, Dollar Tree flips, and showing up even when life gets messy. Whether I’m podcasting, crafting, or cooking something from scratch, my prayer is always the same: that you leave here encouraged and reminded you’re never alone.
Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s do this life—one grace-filled day at a time. 💛