Completely foolproof No Knead Focaccia bread. It is so easy! Mix everything up in a bowl with a spoon, leave for a few hours, then bake!
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Good bread is one of my favorite foods, especially when it is fresh from the oven and slathered in my Easy Vegan Butter or dipped in good olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
I realize that when it comes to yeast and bread baking a lot of people are wary because they think it's difficult. And that can be right. Some breads are difficult to make.
But, this easy focaccia is different. It is virtually foolproof. If you can put some ingredients in a bowl and stir them all together then you've got this. There is nothing more to it than that.
The rosemary-infused focaccia bread smell that permeates your house while this little miracle bakes is the stuff of dreams. It smells amazing! When you break into that salt and rosemary scattered crust you will find a soft and fluffy interior that is just begging you to eat it. All of it. Now.
Ingredients
Success tip - Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
How To Make No Knead Focaccia
All you need to make Easy No Knead Focaccia Bread is a large bowl, a spoon, a metal pan (like an 8 x 8-inch square, or an 8 x 12 inch, or a round 8 or 9-inch cake pan), and some patience.
Here's how it's done in a few easy steps:
- Add everything to a bowl, starting with the dry ingredients and ending with the water. Mix it all up with a big spoon (I like to use a wooden spoon) to make a sticky, wet, slightly lumpy dough.
- Cover and leave at room temperature for about 8 hours. It will be risen and full of air bubbles.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared pan. Just scrape/spoon it out with a silicone spatula or spoon.
- Dimple it with your fingers then pour over olive oil, sprinkle flaky sea salt and herbs, then bake.
It really is that easy! The only hands-on time needed is a couple of minutes to mix the flour, yeast, salt, and water together with a spoon, and later, a couple of minutes to scrape the dough into a pan and drizzle with olive oil then sprinkle with rosemary and salt. No kneading. No shaping.
You can mix it up before you go to bed at night and then bake it in the morning, or you can mix it up in the morning, head off to work, then bake it when you get home. Either way, you are this close to fresh Rosemary and Sea Salt Crusted Focaccia perfection!
How Long Can You Let No Knead Bread Rise?
Because you aren't kneading the bread, time is needed to develop the gluten. The sweet spot is about 8 hours in a 20 °C (68 °F) kitchen but it's pretty flexible. You still get a good result if you bake it a little earlier or later.
If it's hotter where you are you can get away with less time. Use my progress pictures for a guide as to how it should look at each stage and judge accordingly when it's ready to bake.
You can extend the resting time if you need to by putting the bowl of dough in the fridge. You could probably get away with leaving it there for up to 24 to 48 hours dependent on your fridge's temperature. The lower temperatures slow down the activity of the yeast which helps to delay things. If you try this though I advise keeping an eye on it the first time you do it, and baking it once it has just about doubled in size. Once you've done it once you'll have a good idea of how long you can get away with leaving it.
Variations
Go with the rosemary and sea salt option or switch things up. Some ideas include:
- Whole cherry tomatoes or large tomato slices & fresh basil
- Roasted garlic cloves with rosemary or thyme
- Pitted olives
- Caramelized onions and fresh thyme
- Melty vegan cheese
- Roasted red pepper, swirls of pesto and vegan parmesan
How To Serve
This No Knead Rosemary Focaccia is wonderful served warm or cool. It makes the perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes like spaghetti and Vegan Marinara Sauce, my Vegan Vodka Sauce Pasta, soups like Vegan Potato Soup, Easy Tomato Basil Soup, or Red Lentil Soup with Lemon. Or stews and casseroles. It is also great used to make sandwiches (try it with my White Bean & Artichoke Sandwich Filling) and makes the most wonderful paninis.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating Tips
No Knead Focaccia Bread is best on the day it's baked but leftovers can be wrapped and kept for a day or two. They are best warmed before eating though. I like to wrap them in foil and then pop them in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at about 350° F. Or if you are in a hurry you can microwave for 20 or 30 seconds.
The bread also freezes well. Wrap very well and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Popular Bread Recipes
Recipe
No Knead Focaccia
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
- 500g (4 cups) all purpose flour or bread flour cups measured by spooning the flour into the cups and levelling off with the back of a knife - do not scoop and do not compact the flour down by pressing on it as you fill the cup (in the UK use strong bread flour)
- 10g (1 very full tablespoon) instant yeast or quick rise yeast . , (if you only have active yeast see recipe notes)
- 10g (2 teaspoons) fine sea salt
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , divided
- 450mls (1¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons) COLD water not warm water
- 2 tablespoons fresh or dried rosemary
- flaky sea salt for scattering
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, yeast and salt then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the water and mix well until you can see no more dry flour and you have a wet, slightly lumpy looking mess. Make sure to scrape right into the bottom of the bowl. (See my picture in the collage near the top of my post above for reference).
- Cover with cling wrap, a clean shower cap or a wet dish towel and leave on the kitchen counter for a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 9 hours. Do not refrigerate and do not leave anywhere really warm. Just normal room temperature is fine.
- About 20 minutes before the time is up preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a cake pan or brownie pan with parchment paper. (any pan from 8 x 8 inch to 8 x 12 is fine or an 8 or 9 inch round cake pan - just ensure it's metal. Don't use silicone). You can even spread the dough out on a parchment paper lined regular baking tray if that's all you have.
- When the oven is at temperature, scrape the dough out of the bowl and into the pan. I use a dough scraper but a silicone spatula or spoon will be fine. It will be clingy and sticky but that is normal.
- Once it's all in the pan, flatten it out so it's as even as you can get it all over, then using fingers dipped in olive oil, make dimples all over the top.
- Drizzle over the olive oil (be as generous as you feel comfortable with) and sprinkle on the rosemary and salt.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 37 - 40 minutes.
- When done it will be starting to go golden brown in places on the top. If you want it a little crustier you can bake it for another 5 minutes but no longer as otherwise it will become dry.
- Remove from the oven, lift out using the paper as handles and place on a cooling rack.
- Leave to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting.
NOTES
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Rob Lagerstrom says
Perfect first time! I paid attention to weights and measures and your excellent instructions. I can see this as a base for many varieties. Next batch with kalamata olives! Now I can brag I'm a breadmaker.
A Virtual Vegan says
I am so glad it worked out for you Rob. It is the perfect base for experimenting. I have been tying out a few different flavour combinations myself so watch this space! Have fun with your variations..olives will be great in it. ????
Nataša says
Hi!
I made it with whole spelt flour and it worked great! It is realy delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Nataša
A Virtual Vegan says
That's great and you're welcome. I'm glad to hear it worked well with spelt flour!
Maya says
Hi, I live in a very hot place, room temperature is abou 34 degrees centigrade!!! Since your recipe says do not leave in refrigerator or anywhere hot , what do I do ???? Is refrigeration still an option ?? Or do I cut down on the time to maybe 2 hours or so ?? Pleeeese help , I'm desperate to try this amazing bread !!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
You have a few options (none of which I have tried as we never have temperatures like that!) One, if you have a dark cool cupboard or closet you could put it in there to rise so that it stays a bit cooler. It will probably still be quite warm though so might happen quicker than overnight. Two, you leave it out at room temperature and make sure you are around to watch it the first time you make it so you get an idea of timings. Mix it up and instead of leaving it overnight or for 8 hours, just leave it for a long as it takes to swell and almost fill a 2.5 litre(ish) size bowl. The bowl I use is 2.5 litres and is almost full to the brim after the dough is left overnight. I do know that yeast isn't happy when it gets too warm and can start slowing down again so there is a chance that it still might take a while to happen because of how warm it is.
The last option is that you refrigerate it. It will rise while in the fridge but it will be very slow. Again leave it until it nearly fills a 2.5 litre bowl. It might take 24 hours or more. Another option is to refrigerate it overnight, or during the day, then remove it from the fridge a couple of hours before you want it. Let it come to room temperature which will only take an hour or two in those temperatures, and during that time it will probably grow to the right size.
It's certainly do-able, it will just take a bit of experimenting to find the best method and work out timings. Good luck and I hope it works out for you!
Maya says
Thank you so much for the options !! Will try one of these, and let you know the result ... good luck to me ????
Maya says
Hi,
Thanks a million for your suggestions!!! Hands down the best focaccia I've ever ever made !!! I used a 2.5 ltr (ish) bowl like you had suggested and kept it out to rise , and within 3 hours it was brimming. Next time will try the refrigeration idea , coz this bread is going to be a weekly affair at my place ????
A Virtual Vegan says
Awesome! I am so glad it worked out for you! ????
Debbie Pyle says
I have baked artisan bread in a slow cooker which eliminates any wait time. (Just mix and bake in crock) I love the looks of this recipe and was wondering if anyone has tried making it in a crock. I am going to try the crock method first, since I'm sure the oven method works just fine. Guess I'm just an impatient vegan. Love ALL of your videos , BTW! All nicely done. Even love the music selections! Debbie in Dakota
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Debbie. I certainly haven't tried it in a slow cooker and no-one else has mentioned that they have. I do wonder how successful it would be. The dough needs the 8 hours sitting around for the flavour and gluten to develop, so don't put it right in the slow cooker after mixing. I think it also needs that initial burst of heat from the oven to give it it's oven spring and fluffy texture. I think you will probably end up with a sub par result in the slow cooker. If you do try it though I would be interested to hear how it goes!
Sheilagh says
Hi Virtual Vegan,
Is this whole recipe "one" serving? In your nutrition facts, you say ...per 1 serving. Doesn't seem quite right to me for the calorie count. Can you help me out with this? I'm going to try this with gluten-free flour....sounds amazing! Thank you very much.
- Sheilagh
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Sheilagh, 1 serving is 239 cals and the recipe serves 9. I am unable to put the number of servings in the nutritional info table unfortunately. The calories are always for 1 serving and the number of servings is always stated on the recipe card just above where it says the prep time, cook time etc.
I hate to say it but I don't think this recipe will work with gluten-free flour. It would need some substitutions and as I haven't ever tried to make gluten free bread myself I can't offer any ideas. I think adding some xanthan gum might help but can't guarantee. Good luck though and let me know of it works out!
Julie says
In the photos it looks like oil was added to the flour mixture with the water. The directions do not say to do that. Which way is correct?
A Virtual Vegan says
Oil is added to the dough. The directions and the ingredients list do state that. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Meghan Vandewettering says
Hey, looks great! I live in Spain and can only find regular active yeast - how would I change the recipe?
A Virtual Vegan says
You would need to let is rise twice. I would also use a little less yeast. Instead of a very full tablespoon, use a just full tablespoon. Follow the directions exactly until you scrape it into the baking tin, then instead of baking right away, cover it again with a damp cloth, or cling wrap, and let it rise again for about 40 minutes before baking it. I have never tried it personally but I think it should work that way. It might even be better with the 2nd rise. If you try it let me know how it turns out!
Aimee B. says
OMG, this is the BEST bread EVER!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I know I will be making this again and again. I only used 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil on top, but this came out fabulous.For my seasoning, I used the Braggs seasoning and a bit of course pink sea salt. This smelled amazing baking in the oven. I served it with split pea soup. Such a lovely comforting meal. If anyone is wondering whether they should make this bread or not, YES, you most definitely should. It's super easy and seriously tasty. I give this 5 stars!! :)
A Virtual Vegan says
Wow Aimee. What glowing feedback. I am thrilled you enjoyed it so much. I bet it was awesome with your split pea soup! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave feedback. I really appreciate it! ☺️
Aimee B. says
<3
Mary Ann Morsette says
Thank you for this recipe! I made this the other day as written (plus a little thyme and roasted granulated garlic on top!) and it was delicious! I just wondered, in your pictures it looks like you mixed some oil into the initial dough but I don't see that down below in the written recipe. Should there be some oil mixed in with the water? If so, how much?
A Virtual Vegan says
So glad you enjoyed it! I did mix 1 tablespoon of oil into the dough. If you check the ingredients olive oil is on there twice, once for the dough, and once again for drizzling. It's not essential you add the oil to the dough though as you found. It just makes the bread a little softer and means it will keep a bit longer if you have more willpower than us and don't eat it all at once ????.
Sarah says
I adore homemade bread. There is NOTHING better! And a focaccia topping puts it over the top—love the salty bite with the rosemary. Your recipe looks delicious!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Sarah. You are right. Nothing is better. That smell while it bakes.....????
Melissa | Vegan Huggs says
Yep, I'm ready to make bread! This focaccia looks so soft & fluffy....AND that rosemary is killin' me! YUM!
A Virtual Vegan says
Great! I'll make bread bakers out of you all yet ???? You have to try it. It's awesome!
Stephanie says
Will this work with whole wheat flour too? I have both whole wheat bread flour and whole wheat all-purpose flour. Recomendations?
A Virtual Vegan says
I haven't tried it with wholewheat yet. I have a feeling it would work but be a bit heavier. A mix of wholewheat and white would probably work out better and give it a better texture. I will make pasta for dinner on Monday and make it with 100% wholewheat flour and report back.
Denise says
Just reading through this and wondering if you did make it with 100 percent whole wheat and if so, how it came out? Thank you!
A Virtual Vegan says
Focaccia is traditionally made with white flour and I personally like it like that so have never tried it with wholewheat flour. I don't think it's a bread that lends itself to wholewheat very well. It would technically work though, it just might not be as light and fluffy. If you were to do 50/50 whole wheat and white flour you would get a much softer, fluffier result than with 100% whole wheat. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This bread looks amazing! You could put bakeries out of business..
A Virtual Vegan says
Owning a bakery is a big dream of mine! Thanks Amy!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Girl, you have made me want to make bread! It reminds me of some bread I used to eat at the Macaroni Grill restaurants. It is soooo good, but I'm not sure it's vegan so now I can make yours instead!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yay! I am so excited that it's made you want to bake bread. You really should. Bread making is one of the most satisfying kinds of cooking!
Dianne says
I'm printing this recipe out and giving it to my husband. It looks so good!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Dianne. I hope he treats you to a homemade focaccia loaf very soon!
Robyn says
Can u please convert grams to cups. Have no scales to weigh but would like to try this. Thanks
A Virtual Vegan says
Done Robyn! I woke up to lots of emails about this today. I had no idea so many people do not have kitchen scales. For future reference though, using scales is a much more accurate way to do it and more or less guarantees good results. You can pick them up for only $10-$15. Have fun with the recipe!