The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Italian Focaccia Bread: CO-OP Restaurant’s Secret Recipe

Transform your kitchen into an authentic Italian bakery with this foolproof focaccia recipe that’s easier than you think

Introduction: Why This Easy Homemade Italian Focaccia Bread Will Change Everything

If you’ve always been intimidated by bread-making, prepare to have your mind changed. Homemade Italian focaccia bread isn’t just achievable – it’s surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. When Daniel Barrett, Executive Chef at CO-OP Restaurant & Bar in University City, shared his family recipe, he proved that the best Italian focaccia recipe doesn’t require years of baking experience.

“This is your classic Italian focaccia,” Barrett explains. “It’s very easy and something that you can easily do at home.” In fact, this traditional focaccia recipe is exactly what he learned making easy homemade Italian focaccia bread at his grandfather’s house, where quick breads like this were a family tradition.

What Makes This Italian Focaccia Recipe Special

Unlike complex bread recipes that require precise timing and multiple rises, this no knead focaccia recipe relies on time rather than technique. The overnight fermentation process – what makes this an Italian focaccia recipe overnight – develops incredible flavor while requiring minimal hands-on work.

The Secret Behind CO-OP’s Success

At CO-OP Restaurant & Bar, fresh, locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of Barrett’s menu. “We have a ton of fresh produce from South Jersey and surrounding areas,” he shares. This philosophy extends to their homemade focaccia bread recipe, where quality ingredients and simple techniques create extraordinary results.

The restaurant’s all-day menu features everything from buttermilk skillet pancakes to ricotta gnocchi primavera, but their focaccia tomato pie has become a standout. By letting those summer Jersey tomatoes take center stage on perfectly crispy focaccia, Barrett demonstrates how to eat Italian focaccia bread in its most authentic form.

The Complete Homemade Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe

Ingredients for the Perfect Focaccia

• 1 envelope active dry yeast (about 2 tsp.)
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tsp. honey
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 tsp. Diamond Crystal OR 1 tbsp. Morton kosher salt
• 6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for hands
• Unsalted butter to grease your sheet pan
• Flaky sea salt

Pro tip: The quality of your yeast for focaccia bread matters significantly. Always check that your yeast is active and within its expiration date.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Italian Focaccia Recipe

Day 1: The Foundation

1. Create the yeast mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and honey. Whisk together and let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Form the dough: Add flour and salt, stirring with a rubber spatula until no dry streaks appear. This is your focaccia easy recipe moment – no kneading required!
3. Add the olive oil: Pour in 3 tablespoons olive oil and stir until the mixture is well-covered. Use more oil if necessary to coat all surfaces.
4. The overnight magic: Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 18-24 hours. This extended fermentation is what makes this fluffy focaccia recipe so special.

Day 2: Baking Day

5. Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 425°F and remove the dough from the refrigerator.
6. Set up your pan: Butter and then oil your sheet pan generously. Place the dough across the tray.
7. Second rise: Let the dough sit on the counter for 1-2 hours as it proofs a second time. You’ll see it rise and begin to bubble slightly.
8. The signature dimples: Drizzle more olive oil on top and dimple the dough with your fingers, “like playing a piano,” as Chef Barrett describes it.
9. Season and bake: Sprinkle coarse, flaky sea salt on top and bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating halfway through for even browning.
10. Cool properly: Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack to maintain the perfect texture.

Traditional Italian Focaccia Toppings and Variations

Classic Italian Focaccia Toppings

The beauty of how to make homemade Italian bread lies in its versatility. While this recipe creates the perfect base, Italian focaccia toppings can transform your bread into countless variations:

• Focaccia bread with olives: Press Kalamata or green olives into the dough before baking
• Focaccia bread olives and rosemary: A classic combination that never fails
• Cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs
• Caramelized onions and sea salt
• Roasted garlic and parmesan

CO-OP’s Signature Focaccia Tomato Pie

To recreate CO-OP’s famous focaccia tomato pie, follow the base recipe and then:

• Slice the cooled focaccia
• Pop slices back in the oven for a few minutes to crisp
• Top with roasted, marinated Jersey tomatoes
• Drizzle with quality olive oil
• Add fresh grated parmesan
• Finish with fresh oregano or basil

Expert Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

Why This Recipe Works for Beginners

Many home cooks fall into two categories: those who make bread and those who buy it. If you’re in the latter group, this proper Italian focaccia recipe is your gateway to homemade bread success. Here’s why it works:

1. No kneading required: Unlike traditional bread recipes, this focaccia bread easy method relies on time and moisture rather than technique.
2. Forgiving timing: The overnight rise means you have flexibility in your schedule.
3. Foolproof ingredients: Simple pantry staples create extraordinary results.

Common Questions About Making Focaccia at Home

The Health Benefits of Homemade Focaccia

When you make focaccia at home, you control every ingredient. Unlike store-bought bread, your homemade easy focaccia bread recipe contains no preservatives or unnecessary additives. The overnight fermentation also breaks down complex carbohydrates, making the bread easier to digest.

Plus, making bread at home connects you to centuries of culinary tradition. As Chef Barrett learned from his grandfather, there’s something special about creating this traditional focaccia recipe in your own kitchen.

Pairing Your Focaccia with Other Delicious Dishes

Your freshly baked focaccia pairs beautifully with many other dishes. Consider serving it alongside:

• A refreshing watermelon limeade for summer gatherings
• Spinach ranch dip for entertaining
• A hearty Italian chopped salad for a complete meal

For those following specific dietary guidelines, you might also enjoy our 7-day weight loss meal prep plan that includes portion-controlled bread servings.

Troubleshooting Your Focaccia

What if My Dough Doesn’t Rise?

If your dough seems inactive, check these common issues:

• Yeast freshness: Old yeast won’t create the rise you need
• Water temperature: Too hot kills yeast, too cold slows it down
• Environment: Cold kitchens slow fermentation

Achieving the Perfect Texture

The goal is a fluffy focaccia recipe result with a crispy exterior and tender, airy interior. The key factors:

• Adequate hydration (don’t skimp on the olive oil)
• Proper fermentation time
• Correct oven temperature

Conclusion: Your Journey to Homemade Bread Success

Making easy homemade Italian focaccia bread at home isn’t just about the final product – it’s about connecting with tradition, developing new skills, and filling your home with incredible aromas. Chef Barrett’s proper Italian focaccia recipe proves that professional-quality results are achievable in any home kitchen.

This homemade easy focaccia bread recipe requires minimal active time but delivers maximum satisfaction. The overnight fermentation does most of the work while you sleep, and the simple assembly process means even beginners can achieve bakery-quality results.

Whether you’re planning a dinner party, looking for a weekend baking project, or simply want to fill your home with the aroma of fresh bread, this best Italian focaccia recipe delivers every time. As Chef Barrett says, “It’s very easy” – and once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever bought focaccia from the store.

Start your focaccia journey tonight by mixing your dough, and tomorrow you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality homemade Italian focaccia bread that rivals any bakery. Your family and friends will be amazed, and you’ll have taken your first confident step into the wonderful world of bread-making.

Have you tried making focaccia at home? Share your results and any creative toppings you’ve discovered in the comments below!

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