Whole wheat focaccia, a classic Italian flatbread, is a versatile and delicious bread that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. Made with a mixture of whole wheat flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil, focaccia has a slightly chewy texture and a flavorful crust. It can be topped with a variety of ingredients, from classic herbs and spices to fresh vegetables, meats, and cheeses. With its simple ingredients and endless possibilities for customization, whole wheat focaccia is a perfect addition to any meal.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
WHOLE WHEAT FOCACCIA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND OLIVES
Even in mid-September, you can find sweet cherry tomatoes, and they look beautiful in abundance on the top of this focaccia. I combined them with black olives for a bread that transports me to Provençe.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch, snack, appetizer, dessert
Time 3h50m
Yield 1 large focaccia, serving 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Make the sponge. Combine yeast and water in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and stir to dissolve. Whisk in flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let proof in a warm place until bubbly and doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
- Make the dough. If using a stand mixer, whisk together yeast and water in a small bowl and let stand until creamy, a few minutes. Add to sponge in the mixer bowl, along with olive oil. Add flours and salt and mix in with the paddle attachment for 1 to 2 minutes, until ingredients are amalgamated. Change to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes. Dough should come together and slap against the sides of the bowl. It will be slightly tacky. To make the dough by hand, combine yeast and water as directed and whisk into sponge with the olive oil. Whisk in all-purpose flour. Add salt and remaining flour, one cup at a time, folding it in with a spatula or a wooden spoon. When you can scrape out the dough , add flour to the work surface, put the dough on top and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until soft and velvety. Return to the bowl (coat bowl lightly with olive oil first).
- Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Shape the focaccia. Coat a 12-x 17-inch sheet pan (sides and bottom) with olive oil. Line with parchment and flip the parchment over so exposed side is oiled. Turn dough onto the baking sheet. Oil or moisten your hands, and press out dough until it just about covers the bottom of the pan. Dough may be sticky. Cover with a towel and allow it to relax for 10 minutes, then continue to press it out until it reaches the edges of the pan. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour, or until dough is full of air bubbles.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees after 30 minutes of rising (30 minutes before you wish to bake), preferably with a baking stone in it. Place thyme and olive oil for the topping in a small saucepan or skillet and heat until thyme begins to sizzle. Count to 30 and remove from heat. Swirl the oil in the pan, then transfer to a measuring cup or ramekin and allow to cool.
- With lightly oiled fingertips or with your knuckles, dimple the dough, pressing down hard so that you leave indentations. Arrange cherry tomato halves and olives on dough, pressing them into the dimples. Drizzle on olive oil and use your fingers to distribute any thyme that remains in the cup or ramekin over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with a little coarse sea salt if desired.
- Place pan in oven on baking stone. Spray oven 3 times with water during the first 10 minutes of baking and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are crisp and top is golden. If you wish, remove focaccia from the pan and bake directly on the stone during the last 10 minutes. Remove from oven, remove from pan at once and cool on a rack. If you want a softer focaccia, cover with a towel when you remove it from the oven. Sprinkle torn or slivered basil leaves over the surface of the focaccia. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 211, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 242 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
WHOLE WHEAT FOCACCIA WITH TOMATOES AND FONTINA
Focaccia, a little crisp on the bottom but soft on the top and inside, can take on many toppings besides tomatoes. Focaccia is a dimpled flatbread that can take a number of toppings, like a pizza but breadier. I used Community Grains whole wheat flour for this half-whole-wheat version, and I'm loving the results so much that I'm ready to start on a week's worth of focaccia recipes with different toppings very soon. The bread is fragrant with olive oil, a little crisp on the bottom but soft on the top and the inside. It's a great vehicle for summer tomatoes.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch, appetizer, side dish
Time 4h
Yield 1 large focaccia, serving 12 generously
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make the sponge. Combine the yeast and water in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and stir to dissolve. Whisk in the flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until bubbly and doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
- Make the dough. If using a stand mixer, whisk the yeast and the water in a small bowl and let stand until creamy, a few minutes. Add to the sponge in the mixer bowl, along with the olive oil. Add the flours and salt and mix with the paddle attachment for 1 to 2 minutes, until the ingredients are amalgamated. Change to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 8 minutes. The dough should come together and slap against the sides of the bowl. It will be slightly tacky. To make the dough by hand, combine yeast and water as directed and whisk into the sponge along with the olive oil. Whisk in the all-purpose flour. Add the salt and remaining flour, one cup at a time, folding it in with a spatula or a wooden spoon. When you can scrape the dough onto a work surface, add flour to the work surface, scrape out the dough and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until soft and velvety. Return to the bowl (oil the bowl lightly with olive oil first).
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Shape the focaccia. Oil a 12-x 17-inch sheet pan (sides and bottom) with olive oil. Line with parchment and oil the parchment. Turn the dough onto the baking sheet. Oil or moisten your hands and press out dough until it just about covers the bottom of the pan. Dough may be sticky. Cover with a towel and let it relax for 10 minutes, then continue to press it out until it reaches the edges of the pan. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour, or until dough is full of air bubbles.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees after 30 minutes of rising (30 minutes before you wish to bake), preferably with a baking stone in it. With lightly oiled fingertips or with your knuckles, dimple the dough, pressing down hard enough to leave indentations. Drizzle on the olive oil for the topping and arrange cheese over the surface. Top cheese with the sliced tomatoes and sprinkle tomatoes with coarse sea salt if desired.
- Place pan in oven on baking stone. Spray oven 3 times with water during the first 10 minutes of baking, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are crisp and the top is golden. If you wish, remove the focaccia from the pan and bake directly on the stone during the last 10 minutes of baking. Remove from oven and from pan and cool on a rack. Sprinkle basil over the top. If you want a softer focaccia, cover with a towel when you remove it from the oven. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 264, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 301 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
WHOLE WHEAT FOCACCIA WITH PEPPERS AND EGGPLANT
I first made this because I had a festival of leftovers in my refrigerator - sautéed peppers with tomato and onion, and roasted eggplant. The combination made a delicious, typically Mediterranean topping. The peppers would suffice, but it's even better with the eggplant. You can use one type of bell pepper or a mix, and if you want some heat, add a hot one.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch, snack, breads, appetizer, dessert
Time 3h50m
Yield 1 large focaccia, serving 12
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Make the sponge. Combine yeast and water in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and stir to dissolve. Whisk in flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let proof in a warm place until bubbly and doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
- Make the dough. If using a stand mixer, whisk together yeast and the water in a small bowl and let stand until creamy, a few minutes. Add to sponge in the mixer bowl, along with olive oil. Add flours and salt and mix in with the paddle attachment for 1 to 2 minutes, until the ingredients are amalgamated. Change to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should come together and slap against the sides of the bowl. It will be slightly tacky. To make the dough by hand, combine yeast and water as directed and whisk into sponge along with olive oil. Whisk in all-purpose flour. Add salt and remaining flour, one cup at a time, folding it in with a spatula or a wooden spoon. When you can scrape out the dough, add flour to the work surface, put the dough on top and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until soft and velvety. Return to bowl (oil the bowl lightly with olive oil first).
- Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Shape the focaccia. Coat a 12-x 17-inch sheet pan (sides and bottom) with olive oil. Line with parchment and flip the parchment over so exposed side is oiled. Turn dough onto the baking sheet. Oil or moisten your hands and press out dough until it just about covers the bottom of the pan. Dough may be sticky. Cover with a towel and allow it to relax for 10 minutes, then continue to press it out until it reaches the edges of the pan. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the dough is full of air bubbles.
- While the shaped focaccia is proofing, roast eggplant and prepare peppers. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil. On the foil, toss eggplant with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and salt to taste. Arrange in a single layer and place in the hot oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and, taking care not to burn yourself, fold foil over, then crimp the edges so eggplant steams inside the foil. Keep oven on and place a baking stone in it if using one.
- Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes, and add garlic, peppers, and chile pepper if using. Add salt to taste and cook, stirring often, until peppers have softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomato and marjoram and cook, stirring, for another 5 to 10 minutes, until peppers are soft and tomato has cooked down. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from the heat.
- With lightly oiled fingertips or with your knuckles, dimple dough, pressing down hard so you leave indentations. Spread peppers over the dough and arrange the eggplant slices here and there. Drizzle on the final tablespoon of oil. Place pan in oven on baking stone. Spray oven 3 times with water during the first 10 minutes of baking, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are crisp and the top is golden. If you wish, remove focaccia from the pan and bake directly on the stone during the last 10 minutes. Remove from oven, remove from pan at once and cool on a rack. If you want a softer focaccia, cover with a towel when you remove it from the oven. Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle slivered or torn fresh basil leaves over the top before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 234, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 37 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 365 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
SWEET WHOLE WHEAT FOCACCIA WITH PEARS AND WALNUTS
This slightly sweet focaccia (three tablespoons sugar in the dough and another sprinkled over the top) is quite beautiful and makes a perfect fall or winter bread. It's great on its own, and also great with cheese. I like to pair it with blue cheese in particular. There are sweet, nutty and savory flavors at play here, with the rosemary-scented olive oil and pears, and the walnuts tucked into the bread's dimples.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch, snack, breads, appetizer, dessert
Time 3h50m
Yield 1 large focaccia, serving 12
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the sponge. Combine yeast and water in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and stir to dissolve. Whisk in sugar and flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let proof in a warm place until bubbly and doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
- Make the dough. If using a stand mixer, whisk together yeast and water in a small bowl and let stand until creamy, a few minutes. Add to sponge in the mixer bowl with sugar and olive oil. Add flours (including cornmeal) and salt and mix in with the paddle attachment for 1 to 2 minutes, until ingredients are amalgamated. Change to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes. Dough should come together and slap against the sides of the bowl. It will be slightly tacky. To make dough by hand, combine yeast and water as directed and whisk into the sponge with sugar and olive oil. Whisk in all-purpose flour. Add salt, cornmeal and whole wheat flour, one cup at a time, folding it in with a spatula or a wooden spoon. When you can scrape out the dough, add flour to the work surface, put dough on top and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until soft and velvety. Return to bowl (coat the bowl lightly with olive oil first).
- Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Shape the focaccia. Coat a 12-x 17-inch sheet pan (sides and bottom) with olive oil. Line with parchment and flip the parchment over so exposed side is oiled. Turn dough onto the baking sheet. Oil or moisten your hands, and press out dough until it just about covers the bottom of the pan. Dough may be sticky. Cover with a towel and allow it to relax for 10 minutes, then continue to press it out until it reaches the edges of pan. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour, or until dough is full of air bubbles.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees after 15 minutes of rising (30 minutes before you wish to bake), preferably with a baking stone in it. Combine rosemary and olive oil for the topping in a small pan and heat just until herbs begin to sizzle. Wait 30 seconds, swirl the oil in the pan, then pour mix into a ramekin or a small measuring cup. Allow to cool.
- With lightly oiled fingertips or with your knuckles, dimple the dough, pressing down hard so you leave indentations. Place walnut pieces in the indentations. Distribute pears evenly over dough and drizzle on the oil with rosemary (you will have to distribute clumps of rosemary that remain behind in the cup with your fingers). Combine remaining tablespoon of sugar and the cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over pears and dough.
- Place pan in oven on baking stone. Spray oven 3 times with water during the first 10 minutes of baking, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are crisp and top is golden. If you wish, remove focaccia from the pan and bake directly on the stone during the last 10 minutes. Remove from oven, remove from pan at once and cool on a rack. If you want a softer focaccia, cover with a towel when you remove it from the oven. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 264, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 288 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
WHOLE-WHEAT FOCACCIA
Yield 1-2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. In the bowl of a standing mixer dissolve the yeast and sugar in the water. Add 2 tablespoons (25 grams) olive oil, the whole-wheat flour, 200 grams of the all-purpose flour and salt and mix together briefly using the paddle attachment. Change to the dough hook and beat for 8 to 10 minutes at medium speed, adding flour as necessary. The dough should eventually form a ball around the dough hook and slap against the sides of the bowl as the mixer turns; it will be sticky. Remove from the bowl, flour your hands and knead the dough for a minute on a lightly floured surface, and shape it into a ball. 3. Clean and dry your bowl and oil lightly with olive oil. Place the dough in it, rounded side down first, then rounded side up. Cover tightly with plastic and let rise in a warm spot for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours, until doubled. 4. Punch down the dough. Cover with lightly oiled plastic and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. 5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, preferably with a baking stone in it. Line a sheet pan with parchment and oil generously. Roll or press out the dough into a rectangle the size of the sheet pan. To do this efficiently, roll or press out the dough, stop and wait 5 minutes for the gluten to relax, then roll or press out again, and repeat until the dough reaches the right size. Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes. Just before baking, use your fingertips to dimple the dough all over, and drizzle on a tablespoon or two of olive oil. 6. Bake, setting the pan on top of the baking stone (if using), for 20 to 25 minutes, until deep golden brown. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, or allow to cool completely.
HALF WHOLE WHEAT FOCACCIA
Steps:
- 1. In a bowl of a standing mixer, or regular large bowl, dissolve yeast & sugar in water. Add 2 T olive oil, the flours & salt and mix together briefly using the paddle attachment. Change to the dough hook and beat for 8 to 10 minutes at medium speed, adding flour as necessary. The dough should eventually form a ball around the dough hook and slap against the sides of the bowl; it will be sticky. Remove from the bowl, & knead the dough for a minute & shape it into a ball. 2. If kneading by hand, dissolve the yeast in the water with the sugar. Add olive oil, salt, & flours by the half-cup. Knead, adding flour as necessary, for 10 min, until the dough is elastic and smooth. Shape into a ball. 3. Clean and dry your bowl and oil lightly with olive oil. Place the dough in it, rounded side down first, then rounded side up. Cover tightly with plastic and let rise in a warm spot for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs, or in the refrigerator for 4 - 8 hrs, until doubled. 4. Punch down the dough. Cover with lightly oiled plastic and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. 5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, preferably with a baking stone in it. Line a sheet pan with parchment & oil generously. Roll or press out the dough into a rectangle the size of the sheet pan. use your fingertips to dimple the dough all over, Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes. Drizzle on 2T of olive oil & chunky salt. 6. Bake, setting the pan on top of the baking stone (if using), for 20 to 25 minutes, until deep golden brown. Simple Toppings: Sprinkle the top, once you've dimpled it, with your choice of: Coarse sea salt 2 to 4 T chopped fresh rosemary, thyme or sage Pitted black olives Roasted red peppers, diced or sliced
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the taste and texture of your focaccia.
- Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. If your yeast is old or inactive, your focaccia will not rise properly.
- Be patient. Focaccia takes time to rise, so don't rush the process.
- Don't overwork the dough. Overworking the dough will make it tough.
- Bake the focaccia in a hot oven. This will give it a crispy crust and a fluffy interior.
- Serve the focaccia warm. Focaccia is best enjoyed warm out of the oven, but it can also be served at room temperature.
Conclusion:
Focaccia is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are serving it as an appetizer, a main course, or a side dish, focaccia is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you are looking for a new bread recipe to try, give focaccia a try. You won't be disappointed!
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