Description
This Light Fluffy Sourdough Focaccia recipe delivers irresistibly soft, airy bread with a natural sourdough tang. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or enjoying on its own, this focaccia uses simple pantry ingredients and easy steps to create a pillowy texture with a golden, crispy crust. Naturally leavened and versatile, it’s ideal for bakers of all levels seeking an artisan-style bread rich in flavor and light in crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 150g active sourdough starter
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 400ml water
- 60ml olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 10g salt
Optional Toppings
- Coarse sea salt
- Fresh rosemary
- Fresh thyme, oregano, or basil (herb infusion)
- Caramelized onions
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olives
- Grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese
- Roasted garlic or garlic-infused olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Your Starter: Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly by feeding it 4-6 hours before mixing your dough. This activates the starter for optimal rise and flavor development.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the active starter, all-purpose flour, and water until just mixed. Let the dough rest for about 30 minutes for autolyse. Then add salt and olive oil, gently incorporating them into the dough.
- Bulk Fermentation and Stretch & Folds: Allow the dough to ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours. During the first half of this time, perform a series of stretch and folds every 30-45 minutes to build gluten structure and trap air.
- Shape and Proof: Transfer the dough to a well-oiled pan, gently spreading it out to your desired thickness. Cover and proof the dough for 1-2 hours until it noticeably puffs up.
- Add Toppings and Bake: Drizzle olive oil over the surface, dimple the dough gently with your fingertips, then sprinkle coarse sea salt and any desired herbs or toppings. Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
Notes
- Use a high hydration dough (around 80%) to ensure an open, airy crumb.
- Ferment dough in a warm spot for consistent starter activity.
- Handle dough gently to preserve air bubbles when transferring and shaping.
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for enhanced flavor and crust texture.
- Dimpling the dough before baking is key for authentic focaccia texture.
- Preheat the oven thoroughly to achieve a quick rise and perfect crispy crust.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus starter feeding time)
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sourdough focaccia, light focaccia, fluffy bread, artisan sourdough, homemade bread, sourdough recipe, easy focaccia