Get ready to elevate your bread game with this easy No-Knead Olive Focaccia Bread. Picture this: fluffy dough, the savory punch of green olives, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, all topped off with a generous drizzle of olive oil. It’s a symphony of flavors – savory, salty, and baked to golden, puffy perfection. Brace yourself because once you make it, you’ll find yourself hitting that repeat button.

Slices of No-Knead Olive Focaccia Bread.

What Is No-Knead Olive Focaccia Bread?

Meet our no-knead olive focaccia bread – a simplified twist on the classic, rustic Italian masterpiece known for its simplicity and mouthwatering flavors. Unlike other bread recipes that demand an arm workout, this one takes it easy on the kneading. 

As a result, it’s super easy to make at home! Once baked, it’s airy and slightly chewy with crisp edges. 

Seasoned with herbs, cheese, briny olives, and a sprinkle of salt, it makes for the perfect appetizer or side dish with comfort food meals such as one pot spicy rigatoni and cream chicken. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, it also makes for amazing sandwich bread! 

What You’ll Need

  • Flour – Use either all-purpose or bread flour. We haven’t tested it, but a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour should also work! 
  • Salt – Used to flavor the bread. 
  • Instant Yeast – This is crucial for the bread to rise. We recommend instant yeast for the best (and easiest) results! Active dry yeast can also be used. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package to activate it. 
  • Water – This helps form a fluffy, pillowy texture. 
  • Olive Oil – This creates a golden brown exterior and adds a rich taste. 
  • Toppings – Flakey sea salt, fresh rosemary, oregano, parmesan, and green or black olives are sprinkled on top, creating a flavor that will keep you coming back for more! 

Olive-Inspired Bliss: Simple Steps for No-Knead Focaccia Recipe You Can’t Resist!

While this olive focaccia recipe might require a bit of planning ahead, the steps are a breeze, and trust us — the flavor payoff is absolutely worth the wait.  

  1. Make the Dough. Whisk the flour, salt, and instant yeast together in a large bowl. Then, add the water, and use a rubber spatula to mix until the ingredients are combined and the dough is tacky. 
  2. Rest the Dough. Rub the dough with olive oil, and cover it with a damp tea towel, cloth bowl, or plastic wrap. Transfer it to the fridge. 
  3. Prepare the Pan. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper, or grease it with butter or cooking oil spray. Then, pour a small amount of oil on top. 
  4. Roll the Dough. Using two forks, pull the dough from the sides of the bowl into the center. Roll the dough into a ball, and cover it in oil. Let it rest at room temperature. 
  5. Top. Sprinkle the rosemary, oregano, olives, and parmesan on top. Then, pour a little more oil over the dough, and use your fingers to gently punch holes into it. Stretch the dough as you do so, making sure it fills the entire pan!
  6. Bake. Bake until the bread is just turning golden. 
  7. Cool. Transfer your olive focaccia to a cooling rack, and let it cool before slicing and serving. 
Overhead image of a ball of dough in a baking dish.

Tips for Sucess

If you’ve ever felt a tad overwhelmed by the idea of making bread, fear not! This olive focaccia bread will be your confidence booster, and it comes together with ease, especially when you follow these foolproof tips below.

  • Measure Carefully. For the best results, we highly recommend using a food scale to measure out the ingredients. Even slight variations can impact the taste and texture of your bread. 
  • Rest the Dough. Don’t skip the resting process! This is what proofs the dough, making it light and fluffy. You’ll want to allow at least 12 hours for the first proof and another two to three for the second. 
  • Find a Warm Spot. The warm temperature will help the focaccia rise on the second proof. If it’s super cold outside, try putting it in the oven with the light on. Just don’t actually turn the oven on! 
  • Mix and Match Toppings. Feel free to get creative and use any leftovers you have on hand to create pretty focaccia bread art. For instance, tomatoes, asparagus, and potatoes all taste great. 
  • Cool. Allow the bread plenty of time to come to at least room temperature once baked. This helps ensure it doesn’t crumble and holds its shape. 
Raw focaccia dough topped with salt, oregano, rosemary, olives, and cheese.

Common Questions About This Easy Focaccia with Olives

How do you eat olive focaccia? 

This bread is tasty enough to enjoy on its own! But you can never go wrong with dips and sauces like spinach and artichoke dip, marinated tomatoes and feta dip, or feta cucumber sauce

What should I serve with olive focaccia? 

Pair this recipe with all your favorite main courses for a tasty appetizer or side dish

How long does olive focaccia last? 

This recipe is best served right away. However, if you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container, and keep them stored at room temperature for one to two days. Or, freeze your focaccia instead! To eat, let it defrost at room temperature. Then, warm it in a toaster, and enjoy. 

Close up image of olive focaccia bread.

More Easy Focaccia Recipes

Craving more focaccia goodness? Dive into a world of flavors with these mouthwatering recipes!

Slices of olive focaccia bread,

No-Knead Olive Focaccia Bread

4.84 from 12 votes
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Rest Time: 18 hours
Prepare this olive focaccia bread with a handful of ingredients, savory toppings, and no kneading for the best appetizer or side dish!

Ingredients  

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 cups lukewarm water
  • Butter for greasing
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1-2 teaspoons whole rosemary leaves optional
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano optional
  • flaky sea salt such as Maldon
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • ¾ cup chopped olives

Instructions 

Make the Dough:

  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the water, and use a rubber spatula to mix until the liquid is absorbed and a sticky dough ball is formed. Lightly rub olive oil on around the surface of the dough.
    4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, 2 cups lukewarm water

Proof the Dough:

  • Cover the bowl with a cloth cover or plastic wrap, and transfer it to the fridge for at least 12 hours or up to 3 days.

Prepare the Pan:

  • Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper, and grease with butter or cooking oil spray. Then, pour 2 Tablespoons of oil into the center, and spread it around.
    Butter for greasing, 4 Tablespoons olive oil

Deflate the Dough:

  • Use two forks to deflate the dough by gently pulling it away from the sides of the bowl, rotating the bowl with each pull. Roll the dough into a ball, and let it rest at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours.

Preheat the Oven:

  • Place a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat it to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Top the Bread:

  • Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the rosemary, oregano, salt, parmesan, and olives over the dough. Pour a drizzle of oil on top. Using oiled hands, gently press fingers into the dough to create dimples, stretching it as needed to fill the dish.
    flaky sea salt, 1-2 teaspoons whole rosemary leaves, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, ½ cup parmesan cheese, ¾ cup chopped olives

Bake:

  • Transfer the focaccia to the preheated oven, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the dges are golden and lightly crisp.

Cool:

  • Transfer the bread to a cooling rack, and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy immediately! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Notes

*This recipe was inspired by and adapted from Alexandra Cooks’s Overnight Refrigerator Focaccia

Would you like to save this? 🔖

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 458kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 1176mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 144IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Please leave a comment!

You Might Also Like

Biscoff Banana Bread

This Biscoff banana bread recipe infuses classic banana bread with the sweet, irresistible taste of Biscoff cookies and spread!

Easy Blender Banana Bread

Make this easy blender banana bread recipe with minimal prep time and cleanup, and enjoy your favorite treat with half the work!

Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! Weโ€™re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

4.84 from 12 votes (9 ratings without comment)

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. I love your recipes! Making your bread for a party tonight.
    You have inspired me to enjoy so many new takes on food! Thank you.

  2. hi I am really excited to see the results of my attempt at this recipe. is the 12 hour necessary? I ask because my dough is double the size after 1 hour in the fridge already so I’m thinking Ive done something wrong ๐Ÿ˜… would transferring it to a much bigger bowl disrupt the 12 hour rise or can It just continue the remainder of the 12 hours after transferring? tia x

    1. We don’t recommend skipping the 12 hours! It should be okay in the same bowl, but you can transfer it as long as you do so very gently. Please let us know how it turns out for you!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

  3. Hi there,
    Iโ€™m looking forward to testing this recipe. Am I missing a step? Dough rests for 12 hours in fridge. Then rises for 3-4 hours in ball shape. Do you then immediately transfer it to the pan to prep and bake or does it have a rise time again? Thank you.

    And just a comment, I found a type-o. โ€œTablepoos spoonsโ€.

    PREPARE THE PAN:
    Line a 9ร—13 baking dish with parchment paper, and grease with butter or cooking oil spray. Then, pour 2 Tablepoos spoons of

    1. Hi Deanne!
      We just updated the recipe card to make the process clearer. Transfer the dough to the baking pan right before baking. You can also just transfer it to the pan before deflating if preferred. We hope this helps and that you enjoy the recipe!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

    1. Thank you! You could probably get away with swapping about 25% but not a 1:1 substitute, or the focaccia will be too dense. ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa