Easy Jamie Oliver Focaccia Bread Recipe: Bake Like a Pro

Jamie Oliver’s focaccia bread transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that beckons home cooks with its aromatic allure.

Every kitchen needs a recipe that speaks directly to the soul of comfort and flavor.

Soft, pillowy dough becomes a canvas for rustic Mediterranean ingredients that dance together in harmonious symphony.

Crisp olive oil-brushed edges promise a golden crunch that contrasts beautifully with the bread tender interior.

Sea salt crystals and fragrant herbs elevate this humble recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Professional chefs and passionate home bakers cherish this versatile bread that pairs perfectly with soups, salads, or stands magnificently on its own.

Warm, inviting, and remarkably simple to prepare, this focaccia will become your new weekend cooking obsession:

What Makes Jamie Oliver’s Focaccia Bread Special

• Burst with Layered Flavors: This focaccia delivers a symphony of tastes from sweet balsamic onions, juicy tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and three distinct cheeses that dance together in every bite.
• Master Easy Artisan Baking: Jamie Oliver's simple technique transforms basic ingredients into a professional-looking bread, making home bakers feel like skilled artisan chefs without complex steps.
• Customize Your Culinary Canvas: The recipe offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to play with toppings, experiment with different herbs, cheeses, and create a unique bread experience each time you bake.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: With just 1 hour and 35 minutes of total time, this focaccia transforms an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience that impresses family and friends instantly.

Focaccia Bread Ingredients to Gather

• Flour: Fine white flour for the bread base, crucial for creating a soft and airy texture.
• Sea Salt: Essential for enhancing flavor and controlling yeast activity in bread making.
• Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and provides subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Yeast: Live ingredient that helps the dough rise and creates light, fluffy bread.
• Lukewarm Water: Provides hydration and helps activate the yeast.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps prevent the dough from sticking.

• Onions: Sliced and caramelized for a sweet and savory flavor profile.
• Thyme Leaves: Fresh herb that adds aromatic depth to the onion topping.
• Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, adding brightness and color to the focaccia.
• Basil Leaves: Fresh herb that provides a classic Mediterranean flavor.
• Garlic: Adds intense, sharp flavor to the topping.

• Goat's Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that adds richness.
• Taleggio Cheese: Soft Italian cheese with a strong, complex flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Hard cheese that provides a salty, nutty taste.
• Rosemary Leaves: Aromatic herb that complements the cheese and adds earthy notes.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds sweet and tangy flavor to the onion topping.
• White Wine Vinegar: Provides a subtle acidic touch to the tomato topping.

Step-by-Step for Jamie Oliver’s Focaccia

Step 1: Prepare Flour Base

Create a well in a large mixing bowl. Add flour and of sea salt.

Step 2: Activate Yeast

Combine sugar, yeast, and lukewarm water in a separate container. Stir with a fork and wait until mixture bubbles. Slowly pour bubbling yeast mixture into the flour well while continuously stirring.

Step 3: Knead Dough

• Smooth
• Springy
• Soft

Step 4: First Rise

• Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil
• Place dough inside
• Cover with a tea towel
• Let rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes until doubled in size

Step 5: Prepare Balsamic Onion Topping

• Chop thyme leaves
• Thinly slice onions
• Fry thyme and onions in olive oil over low heat for 5 minutes
• Pour balsamic vinegar
• Simmer for 2 minutes
• Set aside to cool

Step 6: Create Tomato Basil Mixture

• Chopped basil leaves
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Minced garlic

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.

Step 7: Preheat Oven

Set oven to 220°C/425°F/gas 7.

Step 8: Shape Focaccia

• Punch down risen dough
• Spread across baking sheet
• Press fingers into dough creating uneven dents

Step 9: Add Toppings

• Spoon half of tomato mixture onto one section
• Crumble goat cheese and Taleggio on another section
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan
• Add rosemary leaves
• Season with pepper and sea salt
• Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil

Step 10: Final Bake

• Let focaccia proof for additional 20 minutes
• Bake for 20 minutes
• Remove when golden brown and tender throughout

Tips for a Crispy, Airy Bread

• Drizzle with Purpose: Extra virgin olive oil isn't just for moisture – it's a flavor powerhouse that transforms the bread's golden crust and rich taste.
• Press Like a Pro: Use fingertips to create signature dimples, allowing herbs and oil to pool in delightful little pockets across the surface.
• Customize Your Canvas: Mix in sun-dried tomatoes, fresh rosemary, or crumbled feta to make each focaccia uniquely yours.
• Timing is Everything: Let dough rise slowly in a draft-free spot, developing complex flavors and achieving that perfect pillowy texture.
• Gentle Handling Wins: Treat the dough softly during kneading and shaping to maintain its delicate air bubbles and soft interior.

Store Focaccia Without Losing Texture

• Airtight Container Method: Shield your focaccia from moisture and air by storing it in a high-quality, sealed container with a tight-fitting lid. Place a paper towel inside to absorb excess humidity and prevent sogginess, keeping the bread's texture pristine.
• Freezing Technique: Slice the focaccia into individual portions before freezing, allowing easy defrosting of just the amount you need. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity.
• Room Temperature Preservation: Keep fresh focaccia at room temperature for up to two days, covered with a clean kitchen towel in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Position the bread on a wooden cutting board or ceramic plate to prevent condensation and maintain its crispy exterior.

Flavor Variations for Focaccia Bread

• Mediterranean Garden Focaccia: Replace cherry tomatoes with roasted red peppers, add kalamata olives, sprinkle feta cheese, and incorporate chopped fresh oregano for a vibrant Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Herb Harvest Focaccia: Mix in jalapeños, swap thyme for fresh chili flakes, add sundried tomatoes, incorporate chopped cilantro, and top with pepper jack cheese for a bold, zesty profile.
• Caramelized Onion Rosemary Focaccia: Skip tomato topping, focus on deeply caramelized onions, add more fresh rosemary, include crispy pancetta bits, and drizzle with aged balsamic reduction for rich, savory notes.
• Rustic Mushroom Focaccia: Sauté wild mushrooms like porcini and shiitake with garlic and thyme, layer over focaccia dough, sprinkle with truffle-infused sea salt, and finish with soft fontina cheese for an earthy, umami-packed experience.

End Notes on Jamie’s Focaccia Bread

Mediterranean magic emerges from Jamie Oliver’s focaccia, blending rustic charm with culinary artistry.

Aromatic herbs, caramelized onions, and melted cheeses create a sensory symphony on warm, golden bread.

Italian traditions dance across this masterpiece, inviting passionate cooks to explore flavor landscapes.

Mediterranean ingredients whisper stories of sunshine and heritage with each delectable slice.

Homemade focaccia becomes more than sustenance – it transforms into a celebration of connection and creativity.

Because passion lives in every carefully crafted bite, this recipe calls for celebration: share the deliciousness, spark conversations, and spread joy through your culinary adventure!

Jamie Oliver Focaccia Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s focaccia bread brings rustic Italian flavors right to your kitchen. Crusty edges, herb-infused olive oil, and delicate dimples make this simple yet sophisticated recipe a crowd-pleasing masterpiece you’ll want to share with friends.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Base Ingredients:

• 400 grams (14.1 ounces) strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) fine ground semolina flour or strong white bread flour
• 1 sachet of dried yeast
• 0.5 tablespoons golden caster sugar
• 300 milliliters (10.1 fluid ounces) lukewarm water

Cheese and Herbs:

• 30 grams (1.1 ounces) Taleggio cheese
• 1 small log goat’s cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1 bunch of fresh basil (30 grams/1.1 ounces)
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme

Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 large handful of ripe cherry tomatoes
• 2 red onions
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Olive oil
• Extra virgin olive oil, to finish
• White wine vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, create a central cavity and incorporate flour along with 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of sea salt.
2. Dissolve sugar and yeast in lukewarm water, allowing the mixture to activate and become frothy. Gently pour the bubbling liquid into the flour well while continuously stirring.
3. Energetically knead the dough for approximately 5 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency that binds cohesively.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly olive oil-coated bowl, then spread on a floured surface. Drape with a clean kitchen towel and permit rising in a warm environment for 30 minutes or until volume doubles.
5. Heat oven to 220 degrees Celsius (425 degrees Fahrenheit) and prepare toppings during dough’s resting period.
6. Finely chop thyme leaves and slice onions. Sauté these ingredients in 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil over gentle heat for approximately 5 minutes.
7. Introduce 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) of balsamic vinegar, simmer briefly, then allow to cool completely.
8. Roughly chop basil leaves. Halve cherry tomatoes and combine with chopped basil in a separate mixing bowl.
9. Season tomato and basil mixture with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and a splash of white wine vinegar. Mince garlic and incorporate into the mixture.
10. Deflate the risen dough and stretch evenly across a baking sheet, using fingertips to create irregular indentations resembling a textured surface.
11. Distribute the prepared toppings strategically across different sections of the focaccia: spread balsamic onion mixture on one portion.
12. Crumble goat cheese and Taleggio over another section, ensuring even coverage.
13. Grate Parmesan cheese and scatter rosemary leaves over the final third of the focaccia.
14. Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil across the surface, sprinkle additional sea salt, and finish with a light dusting of black pepper.
15. Allow the focaccia to proof for an additional 20 minutes before baking for 20 minutes or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.

Notes

• Drizzle olive oil liberally across the surface to enhance golden crispiness and rich moisture.
• Press fingertips gently into dough’s surface, creating rustic dimples that capture delicious herb-infused oils.
• Experiment with unexpected topping combinations like roasted garlic, fresh herbs, or regional cheese blends.
• Give dough ample time to rise, watching it double in volume for light, airy texture.
• Knead methodically until dough becomes silky smooth and springs back when touched, signaling perfect gluten development.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg