Focaccia Pizza
Focaccia Pizza is a simple, delicious dish that combines the fluffy, golden texture of Italian focaccia bread with classic pizza flavors. Quick to prepare and highly versatile, it offers a perfect balance of crispy edges and soft interior topped with melted cheese, fresh herbs, and your favorite toppings. Ideal for a quick meal or feeding a crowd, this recipe is both kid-friendly and customizable.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for coating and brushing)
Toppings
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh herbs (such as basil or rosemary), to taste
- Toppings of choice (e.g., olives, cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, spicy sausage slices)
- Prepare the dough: Start by mixing warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Let it sit until foamy, about 5-10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms that springs back when pressed.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the dough: Transfer the risen dough onto an oiled baking sheet. Using your fingers, gently stretch it into a rectangle or round shape about ½ inch thick. Create dimples all over the surface with your fingertips to achieve the classic focaccia texture.
- Add toppings: Brush the dough surface generously with olive oil. Spread tomato sauce evenly on top, then sprinkle with your selected toppings and mozzarella cheese. Finish with fresh herbs for added aroma.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the focaccia pizza for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp, and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Notes
- Use room temperature water to activate yeast effectively for a better rise.
- Don’t overload toppings as this may weigh down the dough and cause sogginess.
- Apply olive oil generously to keep the crust crispy and flavorful.
- Allow the dough to rest fully during rising to develop a lighter texture.
- If available, bake on a pizza stone to mimic wood-fired oven heat for an extra-crisp base.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Focaccia Pizza, Easy Pizza Recipe, Italian Bread Pizza, Homemade Pizza, Quick Pizza, Kid-friendly Pizza, Gluten-free Focaccia