Warm and fragrant homemade bread has never been so easy, thanks to this Bread Machine Focaccia Bread. Infused with the classic rosemary and olive oil flavors, this recipe is a heartfelt nod to Italian cuisine with a twist. This no-fuss focaccia utilizes your trusty bread machine, letting it do all the hard work. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a complete beginner, this recipe is going to make you feel like a master baker.
This Bread Machine Focaccia Bread is golden and crusty on the outside, and oh-so-soft on the inside.
It's the kind of bread that makes you want to tear off a big chunk, dip it in some olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and savor every single bite.
The best part? From start to finish, it's ready in under 3 hours. Yes, you heard that right; fresh, homemade bread in less than 3 hours.
It is unchallenging in the best sense of the term!
Ingredients
- Water: Water activates the yeast and brings all our ingredients together. I recommend using filtered water.
- Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is key here, as it imparts a distinct, fruity note to our focaccia. You can use canola or sunflower oil, but remember, it won't have quite the same flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our bread, all-purpose flour gives the focaccia its structure. I don’t recommend bread flour for this focaccia dough.
- Bread Machine Yeast: IIt's specifically designed for bread machines, so try not to substitute it. If you really need to, active dry yeast can work, but I would recommend that you proof it first.
- Sea Salt: Adds that essential savory depth to balance out the flavors. If sea salt isn't readily available, table salt will do just fine.
- Sugar: A little sweet to complement the savory. Plus, it helps feed the yeast. You could substitute with honey if you prefer a more natural sweetener.
- Fresh Chopped Rosemary: Dried rosemary can be used in a pinch. Feel free to mix up the toppings - pesto, parmesan cheese, red onion, olives, and other fresh herbs like oregano or basil are all great options.
- Maldon Sea Salt: If you don't have Maldon sea salt, any flaky sea salt will work.
Step By Step
Tips and Tricks
- Fresh Rosemary: This fragrant herb sets focaccia apart from other breads. Try to use fresh rosemary whenever you can.
- Don't Rush the Resting Time: It might be tempting to skip the 15-minute resting time before baking, but patience pays off here. This resting period allows the dough to relax, resulting in a lighter and more flavorful bread.
- Preheat Your Oven: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you put your dough in. A properly heated oven ensures your focaccia bakes evenly and develops a beautiful golden crust.
- Experiment with Toppings: While rosemary and sea salt are classic focaccia toppings, feel free to get creative! Try adding thinly sliced garlic, cherry tomatoes, or even olives. My kids love when I add shredded cheese on top - it turns into a delicious cheesy focaccia pizza!
- Enjoy Fresh: Focaccia is best enjoyed the day it's made while still warm from the oven. But if you have leftovers, wrap them tightly, and they'll be good for a couple of days. You can also freeze slices for up to a month. I like to freeze them individually in plastic wrap so that I can just defrost them and warm them in the oven when I’m ready to enjoy them.
Tools
As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying sales.
- Bread Maker
- 13 x 9 metal baking pan (Don’t try to bake this focaccia bread machine recipe on a baking sheet. The dough is too wet for that and needs the sides.)
More Bread Machine Recipes to Try
- Bread Machine Pumpkin Bread: Bring the cozy flavors of fall right into your kitchen with this easy and aromatic Bread Machine Pumpkin Bread - a warm slice is just like a hug on a crisp autumn day!
- Bread Machine White Bread: Master the basics with this foolproof Bread Machine White Bread recipe, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply slathered with butter and enjoyed!
- Bread Machine Banana Bread: Turn those overripe bananas into a delectable treat with our Bread Machine Banana Bread recipe.
- Bread Machine Hamburger Buns: Nothing beats a juicy burger served on a fresh, fluffy bun made right in your own kitchen!
Bread Machine Focaccia Bread
Equipment
- Bread Machine
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups warm water
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons bread machine yeast or instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
- ½ teaspoon Maldon sea salt
Instructions
- Place the water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in your bread machine.
- Process on the dough cycle according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 450° F.
- Brush 1 of the remaining tablespoons of oil into a 13 x 9 metal pan with a pastry brush.
- Transfer the dough to the baking pan and stretch the dough to reach the corners of the pan.
- Brush the top of the dough with the remaining tablespoon of oil and sprinkle with the rosemary and salt.
- Allow to rest for 15 minutes. Use a fork to lightly poke the surface of the dough all over.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, and then cut into pieces and serve.
Lauren
This was so good! I used all purpose flour (fluffed, spooned, and leveled - no bread flour in my house) fine sea salt in dough (1.5 tsp - should have used the full 2 tsp) high quality EVOO, and coarse kosher salt and fresh rosemary on top. Going to use Maldon flakes next time I make it for sure! I feared my dough was too wet, so I added an additional 1/8 cup of flour during the second knead cycle. Upon removing the dough from the pan, I didn’t need to stretch it, as it filled up the pan on its own because it was still very liquidy. After the 15 minute rest, I put it in the oven and crossed my fingers. It came out perfect!! We loved the crispiness on the sides and bottom. I can’t wait to make it again!
Wendy, am I able to add shredded/grated Asiago to the dough when I add ingredients to the bread maker? Many thanks for a delicious recipe!
Wendy Polisi
I am so glad that you liked it! We love it so much it make the cut for our holiday menu.
Adding grated Asiago or Parmesan would be lovely. If your bread machine beeps to tell you it is time for add-ins, that is when I would add it. This makes sure that the dough ingredients are throughly combined first. If you do try making cheesy focaccia bread, let me know how it goes!