These focaccia recipes are some of my favorite ways to turn a simple sourdough discard dough into homemade bread for dinner, breakfast, or dessert. From my original Simple Sourdough Discard Focaccia Bread Recipe to cheesy pizza focaccia and sweeter versions with cinnamon or blueberries, there is something here for just about any occasion.
I started with a simple rosemary focaccia and eventually began experimenting with different flavors. My Sourdough Focaccia Pizza Recipe quickly became another practical way to make a homemade family dinner. What I like about these recipes is that they use sourdough discard and commercial yeast, so I can enjoy the flavor of sourdough without planning an overnight rise. If you're new to baking with discard, my What Is Sourdough Discard? guide explains what it is and how to use it in homemade recipes.
Whether you want a savory focaccia to serve with soup, a cheesy bread for dinner, or something a little different for breakfast, these recipes are easy to make at home. They all have the soft, airy texture and golden edges that make focaccia so good.
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What Is Focaccia Bread?
Focaccia is a flat, oven-baked bread known for its soft interior, golden crust, and dimpled surface. The dough is typically made with plenty of water and oil, which helps create its familiar airy texture.
Traditional focaccia is often topped with olive oil, herbs, and flaky salt, but the same basic bread can be made with many different flavors.
My versions use sourdough discard along with active dry yeast. The discard adds flavor, while the commercial yeast helps the dough rise in a more manageable amount of time.
Savory Focaccia Recipes
These savory focaccia recipes are great for serving alongside dinner or enjoying as a meal on their own. Start with the classic rosemary version, or try one of the cheesy variations.
Simple Sourdough Discard Focaccia Bread Recipe
This simple sourdough discard focaccia is where I like to start. It is made with sourdough discard, active dry yeast, all-purpose flour, olive oil, fresh rosemary, and flaky sea salt.
The dough has a high hydration level, giving the finished bread a soft, airy interior with a golden crust. I especially like serving it warm with soup or using thicker slices for sandwiches.
You can also change the toppings depending on what is growing in the garden. Fresh thyme, cherry tomatoes, onions, and olives are all good options.
Sourdough Focaccia Pizza Recipe
This sourdough focaccia pizza combines homemade focaccia bread with classic pizza toppings. It is made with a soft sourdough discard dough, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.
Unlike traditional pizza crust, focaccia has a thicker, airier texture. The bottom and edges bake until golden while the cheese melts over the top.
I like making this for an easy family dinner because everything bakes together in one pan. You can keep the pepperoni and mozzarella or change the toppings to suit your family.
JalapeƱo Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia
This jalapeƱo cheddar sourdough focaccia is filled with diced jalapeƱos and sharp cheddar cheese, then topped with more cheese, sliced peppers, and garlic butter before baking.
The cheddar melts into the dough while the cheese on top develops golden, crisp edges. The jalapeƱos add a little heat, but you can remove the seeds and membranes if you prefer a milder bread.
I like this one alongside chili, tortilla soup, grilled meat, or as a savory snack served warm from the oven. Either white or yellow sharp cheddar works well.
Sweet Focaccia Recipes
Focaccia does not have to be savory. These two recipes use the same basic idea of a soft, airy dough but take it in a sweeter direction with fruit, cinnamon, sugar, and glaze.
Both are good options for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Roll Focaccia
This sourdough discard cinnamon roll focaccia combines the texture of focaccia bread with the flavor of homemade cinnamon rolls.
Instead of rolling and slicing individual cinnamon rolls, the dough is spread into a baking pan and topped with a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture. Once baked, a simple vanilla glaze is drizzled over the golden surface.
It is a practical alternative when you want cinnamon roll flavor without all the shaping. I like serving it slightly warm, while the cinnamon topping is soft and the glaze has settled over the bread.
Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Focaccia
This lemon blueberry sourdough focaccia is made with fresh blueberries, lemon zest, lemon sugar, and a simple lemon glaze.
The blueberries are folded into the dough and added to the top before baking, giving the focaccia plenty of blueberry flavor throughout. Lemon zest adds brightness, while the lemon sugar creates a lightly crisp topping beneath the glaze.
This is one of my favorite sweet variations for spring and summer, although it works just as well during the colder months when I want something with fresh lemon flavor.
Serve it slightly warm with the lemon glaze set over the top.
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Focaccia
Keep the dough soft and sticky. Focaccia dough contains more water than many traditional bread doughs. Avoid adding extra flour simply because it feels sticky.
Use damp or lightly oiled hands. This makes stretching, folding, and transferring the dough easier.
Allow the dough to rise until puffy. Room temperature affects rising time, so pay attention to how the dough looks rather than relying only on the clock.
Grease the baking pan well. Olive oil works well for savory focaccia, while the sweeter versions use butter.
Do not skip the dimples. Pressing your fingertips into the dough gives focaccia its familiar surface and creates places for the toppings to settle.
Follow the individual recipe. Although these focaccia recipes use a similar approach, the ingredients, rise times, and toppings vary. Follow the directions for the version you choose.
How to Serve Focaccia Bread
Savory focaccia works well with soups, salads, pasta, and grilled meats. I particularly like serving rosemary focaccia alongside my Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Soup or Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin.
For pasta night, focaccia is also a good addition to my Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe.
The sweeter varieties are better suited to breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Cinnamon roll focaccia is delicious with coffee, while lemon blueberry focaccia can be served as a homemade breakfast bread or afternoon treat.
How to Store and Reheat Focaccia
Focaccia is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored for another day.
For plain rosemary focaccia, allow the bread to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container or bag. It can be kept at room temperature for a day or two.
Focaccia with perishable toppings, including pepperoni pizza focaccia and cheesy variations, should be refrigerated within two hours of baking.
For longer storage, cut the bread into portions and freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag.
To reheat, warm individual pieces in the oven or toaster oven until heated through. This helps bring back some of the crisp texture around the edges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Focaccia Recipes
Can I make focaccia with sourdough discard?
Yes. All five focaccia recipes in this roundup use sourdough discard along with active dry yeast. The discard adds flavor, while the yeast provides the main rise.
Do I need an active sourdough starter to make focaccia?
Not for these recipes. They are designed to work with unfed sourdough discard because commercial yeast is used to help the dough rise.
If you do not have a starter yet, my How to Make a Sourdough Starter From Scratch guide explains how to begin one.
What is the easiest focaccia recipe for beginners?
My Simple Sourdough Discard Focaccia Bread Recipe is a good starting point. It uses basic ingredients, requires no complicated shaping, and helps you become familiar with working with sticky focaccia dough.
Can focaccia be made sweet?
Yes. Sweet focaccia uses the same general bread-making technique but replaces savory toppings with ingredients such as cinnamon sugar, fruit, or glaze. My cinnamon roll and lemon blueberry recipes are two examples.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Instant yeast can generally be substituted for active dry yeast in these recipes. It can be mixed directly into the flour without proofing first. Follow the specific recipe instructions and watch the dough as it rises.
Why is my focaccia dense instead of fluffy?
Dense focaccia can happen when the dough has not risen long enough, too much flour has been added, or the dough has been handled too aggressively after rising.
Let the dough become noticeably puffy before baking, and handle it gently to preserve the air bubbles.
Can focaccia be made ahead of time?
Yes. Several of these recipes can be prepared ahead by refrigerating the dough overnight, although chilling changes the rising schedule. Check the individual recipe for its overnight method rather than using the same timing for every variation.
Can I freeze homemade focaccia?
Yes. Cool the focaccia completely, cut it into portions, and freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag. Reheat it in the oven or toaster oven when ready to serve.
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Hi! Iām Stephanie, also known as Idie. Follow me as I tap into the methods of the past and learn how to make my world a little smaller.
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