Easy Alton Brown Focaccia Recipe: Crispy, Golden Perfection

Focaccia from Alton brown represents a culinary canvas waiting to transform your kitchen into an aromatic wonderland.

Bread lovers crave this Italian classic for its pillowy texture and rustic charm.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that whisper comfort and tradition.

The recipe’s magic lies in its straightforward technique, making even novice bakers feel like seasoned professionals.

Fragrant herbs and olive oil elevate this humble flatbread from ordinary to extraordinary.

Each golden-brown slice promises a sensory journey that connects you with Mediterranean cooking traditions.

You’ll find yourself captivated by the interplay of crisp edges and soft, pillowy center: get ready to bake something spectacular.

What Makes Alton Brown’s Focaccia So Soft and Flavorful

• Craft Homemade Comfort: This focaccia recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality bread that feels like a warm culinary hug right from your kitchen.
• Master Quick Artisan Techniques: Alton Brown's method breaks down complex bread making into easy, approachable steps that even beginner bakers can confidently execute without stress.
• Customize Flavor Adventure: The recipe allows playful personalization with roasted garlic, red pepper flakes, and rosemary, creating a delicious canvas for your taste preferences and creative cooking spirit.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward: With just basic ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques, you'll produce a stunning bread that looks and tastes like it came from an authentic Italian bakery, impressing family and friends with minimal kitchen time.

Key Ingredients for Alton Brown’s Focaccia

• Active Dry Yeast: A key ingredient that helps the dough rise and creates a fluffy texture.
• Sugar: Provides food for the yeast to activate and help with fermentation.
• Water: Activates the yeast and helps combine ingredients.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that creates the bread's foundation, choose a fresh and high-quality flour.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.

• Olive Oil: Adds richness, helps with dough texture, and provides moisture, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Roasted Garlic Cloves: Adds deep, sweet, and savory flavor to the focaccia.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a spicy kick and additional flavor complexity.
• Rosemary: Brings an aromatic herb note that complements the bread's richness, use fresh if possible.

How to Make Alton Brown’s Focaccia

Step 1: Activate The Yeast

Grab a medium bowl and combine 1 packet of active dry yeast, sugar, and warm water (around 110°F). Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• 3 all-purpose flour
• Salt
• Olive oil

Mix on medium speed using a dough hook for 5-6 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball.

Step 3: First Dough Rise

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead gently 3-4 times. Place in a large olive oil-coated bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot for 40-50 minutes until doubled.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Sheet

Drizzle a 10×15 inch rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Ensure entire surface is evenly coated.

Step 5: Shape The Focaccia

Punch down the risen dough and transfer to the oiled baking sheet. Gently stretch and press dough to cover entire pan surface. Flip once to ensure complete oil coverage.

Step 6: Create Signature Dimples

Use fingertips to create deep, evenly spaced indentations across the dough surface. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise another 40 minutes.

Step 7: Add Flavor Toppings

• Roasted garlic halves
• Dried rosemary
• Red pepper flakes

Step 8: Bake To Golden Perfection

Bake for 20 minutes until edges turn deep golden brown and surface looks crispy. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before slicing.

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Focaccia

• Massage Dough Gently: Work the mixture softly to prevent tough bread texture.
• Peek Inside Proofing: Check dough's rise by gently pressing with fingertips, watching for slow spring-back.
• Dimple with Purpose: Create deep indentations across surface using fingertips to capture olive oil pockets.
• Salt Sprinkle Strategy: Use flaky sea salt sparingly for burst of flavor and elegant finishing touch.
• Temperature Tracking: Watch water heat closely, aiming for warm bath-like sensation between 105-115°F to wake up yeast without killing it.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Focaccia

• Flavor-Locked Container: Seal freshly baked focaccia in an airtight glass container to preserve its crispy exterior and soft interior. Glass prevents moisture buildup and maintains the bread's delicate texture better than plastic containers.
• Vacuum Sealing: Use a vacuum sealer to remove air completely, extending the focaccia's shelf life up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. This method prevents freezer burn and locks in the herb and olive oil flavors.
• Room Temperature Storage: Place focaccia on a cutting board loosely covered with a clean kitchen towel for maximum 2 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent rapid staleness and maintain its original taste and texture.

Delicious Variations of Alton Brown’s Focaccia

• Mediterranean Herb Focaccia: Swap rosemary for a blend of fresh thyme, oregano, and basil. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before baking for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Caramelized Onion and Olive Focaccia: Spread thinly sliced caramelized onions across the dough. Add kalamata olives and a sprinkle of dried za'atar seasoning for a rich, savory taste.
• Roasted Vegetable Focaccia: Layer thin slices of zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes on top of the dough. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt before baking to create a colorful, vegetable-packed version.
• Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia: Scatter chopped sun-dried tomatoes and grated parmesan cheese over the surface. Garnish with fresh basil leaves after baking for an Italian-inspired interpretation.

Perfectly Soft and Golden Alton Brown’s Focaccia

Alton Brown’s focaccia recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that whisks you straight to Italian kitchens.

Olive oil-kissed dough with rosemary and roasted garlic creates an aromatic experience beyond ordinary bread.

Crisp edges and pillowy center promise a sensory journey through Mediterranean flavors.

Homemade focaccia becomes more than sustenance – it’s connection, tradition, and comfort rolled into one delectable loaf.

Bread lovers will find pure joy in each rustic slice, celebrating centuries of baking artistry.

Share this recipe, tag fellow bread enthusiasts, and spread deliciousness across your social networks – because great food connects hearts and conversations.

Alton Brown Focaccia Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Italian focaccia from Alton Brown brings rustic Mediterranean flavors to your kitchen. Herbed olive oil dough rises with dimpled perfection, promising a crispy exterior and tender interior you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Flours and Grains:

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups whole wheat flour

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1.75 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 0.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 package (0.25 ounces) active dry yeast (2.25 teaspoons)
• 1 bulb roasted garlic (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Dissolve active dry yeast, granulated sugar, and warm water (105-110°F or 40-43°C) in a medium mixing bowl. Let the mixture rest for 5-7 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant.
2. Transfer the activated yeast mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Add all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil. Mix on medium speed for 6-8 minutes until the dough forms a cohesive, smooth ball.
3. Remove the dough from the mixer and gently knead on a lightly floured surface, incorporating additional flour if the dough feels sticky. Ensure the dough is soft and elastic.
4. Lightly grease a large ceramic or glass bowl with olive oil. Place the dough inside, turning to coat completely. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 45-55 minutes until doubled in volume.
5. Generously coat a 10 by 15 inches (25 by 38 centimeters) rimmed baking sheet with remaining olive oil, ensuring complete surface coverage.
6. Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down with your fingertips. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and gradually stretch the dough to fill the entire pan’s surface.
7. Using fingertips, create characteristic dimples across the dough surface, spacing them approximately 2-3 inches apart.
8. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow a second rise for 35-45 minutes in a warm environment until visibly puffy.
9. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Remove plastic wrap and strategically insert roasted garlic clove halves into the dough’s surface.
10. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and fresh rosemary leaves evenly across the focaccia. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the surface develops a crisp, amber-colored crust.

Notes

• Yeast thrives when water hits the perfect warmth between 105-115°F, sparking rapid fermentation and ensuring a robust rise.
• Persistent kneading transforms sticky dough into a silky, elastic canvas that promises tender, airy bread.
• Patience during rising stages allows gluten networks to develop, creating complex flavors and exceptional texture.
• Olive oil does more than moisturize – it infuses richness, creates a luxurious crumb, and elevates the entire bread experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg