Experience the perfect fusion of Italian comfort food with Focaccia Pizza! This delightful dish features a fluffy, golden-brown focaccia base topped with tangy marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a family dinner, a cozy night in, or a lively gathering with friends—this pizza is sure to impress. Its unique blend of textures and flavors makes it an irresistible treat that everyone will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this delicious pizza in no time.
- Flavorful Combination: The blend of warm focaccia bread and classic pizza toppings creates a mouthwatering experience.
- Versatile Toppings: Customize your Focaccia Pizza with your favorite toppings for endless possibilities!
- Perfect for Sharing: Cut it into slices and serve it at parties or family gatherings; it’s a hit every time!
- Great for Any Meal: Enjoy it as a main dish or an appetizer; this pizza fits perfectly into any meal plan.
Tools and Preparation
To make this Focaccia Pizza, you’ll need some essential tools to help you along the way. Having the right equipment ensures that your cooking experience is smooth and enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Kitchen towel
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: A large bowl is necessary for mixing all the ingredients together smoothly without any mess.
- Baking sheet: This is essential for baking your focaccia to achieve that perfect golden-brown crust.
- Kitchen towel: Covering the dough while it rises helps keep it warm, promoting better yeast activation.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
For the Toppings
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
How to Make Focaccia Pizza
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring to form a dough.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Step 6: Shape the Focaccia
Once risen, punch down the dough. Transfer it to a greased baking sheet. Press and stretch it gently into an even rectangle or circle.
Step 7: Add Toppings
Spread marinara sauce over the top of the dough, leaving a small border. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and oregano. Drizzle olive oil over the cheese and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
Step 8: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the focaccia is golden brown.
Step 9: Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Top with fresh basil leaves, slice, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious Focaccia Pizza!
How to Serve Focaccia Pizza
Focaccia Pizza is a versatile dish that can be served in many delightful ways. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a festive gathering, these serving suggestions will enhance your dining experience.
Share with Friends
- Slice and Share: Cut the focaccia pizza into squares or wedges. This makes it easy for everyone to grab a piece and enjoy.
- Pizza Platter: Place sliced focaccia on a large platter alongside dipping sauces like marinara or ranch for an interactive meal.
Pair with Salads
- Fresh Garden Salad: A light garden salad adds crunch and freshness, balancing the richness of the pizza.
- Caesar Salad: The creamy dressing and croutons of this classic dish complement the flavors of focaccia beautifully.
Enjoy as an Appetizer
- Mini Focaccia Bites: Cut small pieces of focaccia pizza for bite-sized appetizers. Serve them at parties or gatherings.
- Bruschetta Style: Top small slices with fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze for a tasty twist.
How to Perfect Focaccia Pizza
Creating the perfect Focaccia Pizza is all about technique and attention to detail. Here are some tips to ensure your pizza turns out delicious every time.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Choosing fresh ingredients, especially mozzarella cheese, enhances the overall flavor of your focaccia pizza.
- Don’t Rush the Dough Rising: Allowing the dough to rise fully ensures a light and airy texture. Patience pays off!
- Experiment with Toppings: While traditional toppings are great, don’t hesitate to try new combinations like roasted vegetables or different cheeses.
- Preheat Your Oven Well: A well-preheated oven helps achieve that perfect golden crust. Make sure it reaches 425°F before baking.
- Add Extra Olive Oil: Drizzling olive oil over the dough before baking can create a crispy crust while adding flavor.
- Monitor Baking Time: Keep an eye on your pizza in the oven. Every oven is different; you want it golden brown but not burnt.
Best Side Dishes for Focaccia Pizza
Focaccia Pizza pairs wonderfully with various side dishes that round out your meal. Here are some excellent options to consider.
- Garlic Bread: This classic favorite adds extra flavor and is perfect for dipping into marinara sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss seasonal vegetables with olive oil and herbs for a healthy side that complements pizza well.
- Antipasto Platter: A mix of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables creates an Italian feast on your table.
- Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic reduction provide a refreshing contrast.
- Coleslaw: A tangy slaw offers crunch and acidity that balances out the richness of the focaccia pizza.
- Potato Wedges: Crispy potato wedges seasoned with herbs make a hearty addition to any meal featuring pizza.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Focaccia Pizza, it’s easy to overlook some important details. Here are common mistakes to steer clear of:
- Using cold water: Always use warm water (around 110°F) to activate the yeast properly. Cold water can prevent the dough from rising well.
- Skipping the kneading step: Kneading is crucial for developing gluten, which gives the focaccia its fluffy texture. Skip this step at your own risk!
- Not letting the dough rise: Be patient and allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size. This step is essential for a light and airy crust.
- Overloading on toppings: While it’s tempting, too many toppings can make the focaccia soggy. Stick to a balanced amount for the best results.
- Baking at the wrong temperature: Ensure your oven is preheated to 425°F (220°C) before baking. This helps achieve a golden-brown crust.
Refrigerator Storage
- Store Focaccia Pizza in an airtight container.
- It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Focaccia Pizza
- Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- It can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Reheating Focaccia Pizza
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 10-15 minutes until heated through.
- Microwave: Heat on medium power for about 30 seconds per slice. This method may make it less crispy.
- Stovetop: Use a skillet over medium heat, cover, and warm for about 5-7 minutes until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Focaccia Pizza?
Focaccia Pizza is a unique dish that combines traditional focaccia bread with pizza toppings, offering a delightful twist on classic pizza.
Can I customize my Focaccia Pizza toppings?
Absolutely! You can add any favorite toppings like vegetables, meats, or different cheeses. Personalize it to suit your taste!
How do I know when my Focaccia Pizza is done baking?
Your pizza is ready when the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the focaccia are golden brown.
Is Focaccia Pizza suitable for freezing?
Yes, you can freeze Focaccia Pizza. Just ensure it’s wrapped properly before freezing to maintain freshness.
What type of flour should I use for Focaccia Pizza?
All-purpose flour works best for this recipe, but you can experiment with bread flour for an even chewier texture.
Final Thoughts
Focaccia Pizza combines Italian comfort with versatile flavors, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you stick to classic toppings or try something new, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!
Focaccia Pizza
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 slices 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful taste of Focaccia Pizza, where Italian comfort food meets pizza perfection! This easy-to-make dish features a fluffy, golden-brown focaccia base topped with rich marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to form a dough.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Punch down the dough and transfer it onto a greased baking sheet. Shape into an even rectangle or circle.
- Spread marinara sauce on top, leaving a small border; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and oregano.
- Drizzle olive oil over the cheese and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh basil leaves, slice, and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (85g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Leave a Comment