Focaccia Bread Pizza: Easy Recipe for Weeknight Magic (Print Version)

Focaccia Bread Pizza: Try my easy recipe! Enjoy fluffy focaccia with your favorite pizza toppings. Perfect for a quick, delicious weeknight family meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Vegetarian (if no meat toppings)

# Ingredients:

→ Dough Essentials

01 - 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
02 - 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
03 - 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
04 - ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus 2-3 tablespoons for the pan
05 - 1 ½ teaspoons kosher or sea salt

→ Topping Treasures

06 - 1 cup (240g) pizza sauce
07 - 2 cups (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - ½ cup (50g) pepperoni slices or other favorite toppings (mushrooms, bell peppers, cooked sausage)

→ Flavor Boosters

09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano

→ Finishing Touches

11 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - In a large bowl, pour your warm water and sprinkle the active dry yeast over it. Add a pinch of sugar to give those little guys something to munch on. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. You're looking for a foamy, bubbly surface – that means your yeast is alive and ready to party! If it doesn't foam, your yeast might be dead, or your water was too hot or cold. Don't be like me and try to use dead yeast, it just won't work.
02 - Once your yeast is bubbly, add the olive oil, salt, and flour to the bowl. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Now, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes. It should become smooth and elastic. This is where I sometimes get impatient, but trust the process! Don't overdo the flour, or your focaccia will be tough. I once added too much and it was a workout to knead!
03 - Lightly oil a clean bowl, place your dough in it, and turn it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is where the magic happens, watching it puff up! I usually put it in a slightly warm oven (turned off, of course!) on a chilly day. You'll smell the yeast working its wonders.
04 - Generously drizzle about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil into a 9x13 inch baking pan. This is non-negotiable for that crispy, golden bottom crust on your Focaccia Bread Pizza. Gently transfer the risen dough to the pan. Using oiled fingertips, gently stretch and press the dough to fill the pan. Then, make those signature focaccia dimples all over the surface. Don't be shy! This creates pockets for all that delicious oil and toppings.
05 - Once dimpled, cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise again for another 30-45 minutes. While it's doing its thing, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). After the second rise, remove the plastic. Now, spread your pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Sprinkle with minced garlic, dried oregano, mozzarella cheese, and your chosen toppings. This is where you can get creative!
06 - Place your Focaccia Bread Pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Keep an eye on it – ovens can be quirky! The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That's pure joy, honestly. Let it cool for a few minutes in the pan before slicing. That slightly crispy bottom and fluffy interior? You nailed it!

# Notes:

01 - Always use warm, but not hot, water for your yeast. Too hot kills it; too cold, it stays sleepy.
02 - Don't forget to generously oil your pan! That's the secret to a perfectly crispy Focaccia Bread Pizza bottom.
03 - For a lighter crust, I've swapped a quarter of the all-purpose flour for bread flour, and it added a nice chew.
04 - A drizzle of balsamic glaze over the finished Focaccia Bread Pizza adds a gourmet touch I adore.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - 9x13 inch baking pan
03 - measuring cups and spoons
04 - plastic wrap or damp kitchen towel

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-450
Total Fat: 15-25g
Total Carbohydrate: 40-50g
Protein: 10-15g

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