If bread is your favorite food, then you’ll love this easy Vegan Focaccia recipe. It’s slathered in olive oil, incredibly fluffy on the inside, and golden and crispy on the outside. Best of all, it’s one of the most beginner-friendly artisan breads there is! Just like my no knead Dutch Oven Bread, this focaccia recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients to give you bakery-style results every time. Making the dough is relatively hands-off and doesn’t require much kneading, too. The fun part comes when it’s time to coat the dough in olive oil and press dimples on top. Toppings are a great way to upgrade your vegan focaccia bread’s flavor. I used fresh rosemary and salt but you can use sliced vegetables, homemade sauces, and even vegan meat instead. Scroll down to the focaccia topping ideas below for more options!
What is focaccia?
Focaccia bread is a dimpled Italian flat bread made with yeast, flour, and lots of olive oil. It’s a large, rectangular bread that’s pillowy and fluffy on the inside while the outside is golden and crisp. Because of its long and wide shape, focaccia is fantastic at holding toppings or being used as an alternative crust for homemade pizza.
How to make vegan focaccia bread
Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card. Whisk the flour, salt, yeast, and sugar together in a large bowl. Pour in the warm water and gently stir until you’re left with a sticky dough. Pour some oil into the bowl and turn the dough to coat the outside. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and place it in the fridge. Let the dough rise overnight or for up to 3 days. Pour some oil into a (vegan) buttered baking pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and roll it around in the oil. Cover the pan and set it aside so the dough can rise again. Sprinkle the toppings of your choice over the focaccia dough (I used fresh rosemary). Drizzle the remaining oil on top. Using clean hands, press your fingers straight down into the dough to create deep dimples (you should hit the bottom of the pan). Gently stretch the dough to fill the pan. Bake the focaccia until it’s golden brown and crisp on the bottom. Set it aside to cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Quick focaccia
Focaccia is truly so much better if you let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, or better yet for a few days. That said, you can make quick focaccia if you need to. Simply let the dough rise in the bowl for 30 minutes in a warm place, then transfer to the pan and let rise for another 30 minutes. Bake per the instructions.
Toppings for focaccia bread
Mix and match the toppings for vegan focaccia as much as you like. Just make sure to press them into the dough before baking so they stick. All of these ideas would be delicious:
Fresh or dried herbs – Rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, or parsley. Spices – Sea salt or flaky salt, garlic powder, freshly cracked pepper, or red chili flakes. Aromatics – Thinly sliced garlic, roasted garlic cloves, or thinly sliced shallots, onions, or green onions. Vegetables – Sliced peppers, asparagus, olives, sliced heirloom tomatoes, capers, thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant, cherry tomatoes, or thinly sliced potatoes. Vegan meat – Sliced vegan pepperoni, tofu bacon, or tempeh bacon. Vegan cheese – Shredded vegan parmesan, mozzarella, or ricotta. Sauces – Pizza sauce, vegan pesto, dairy free alfredo sauce, or balsamic reduction.
Pro tip: If you’re worried about the toppings burning in the oven, lightly brush them with more olive oil before baking.
Serving suggestions
Olive oil infuses so much flavor into focaccia. It’s practically addictive when eaten on its own, but it can also be served in so many creative ways, such as:
Slice the focaccia and serve it with an Italian-style dinner. It pairs perfectly with vegan lasagna, spaghetti, chickpea soup, and vegan meatballs. Eat it as a snack with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. It’s a comforting bread that makes bowls of butternut squash soup and tomato soup 10 times as cozy. Layer the dough with pizza sauce, vegan pepperoni, dried herbs, and shredded vegan cheese for a focaccia pizza. Slice the focaccia in half and layer it with hummus, leafy greens, and roasted vegetables for an epic vegan sandwich.
Frequently asked questions
Want more bakery-style vegan bread recipes?
Vegan Irish Soda Bread Vegan Dinner Rolls Dutch Oven Bread Vegan Monkey Bread Vegan Garlic Bread
