This Focaccia Genovese with olives and onions is an Italian classic that's soft, fluffy and exceptionally tasty!
A perfect side for dunking into steaming soups or part of an antipasto platter, this focaccia Genovese is also easy to make!!
Why you'll love this recipe
Focaccia Genovese is the famous focaccia from the port city of Genoa in Liguria, Italy. The classic focaccia is usually left to rise for 12-14 hours just like my Ligurian Focaccia but we don't always have time for that.
This recipe is ready in just a few hours. While the flavor that develops with long fermentation is fantastic, I promise that this Focaccia Genovese is so tasty that I can never stop at just one slice.
The secret is quality ingredients particularly the olive oil. Buy the best you can afford. I like local olive oil because it's most likely to be fresh.
Choose large green olives with stones in. Just slice off the flesh in large chunks. These will taste much better the pitted olives but you choose - it's your Focaccia Genovese!
For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card bottom of the page.
Ingredient notes
As well as the usual focaccia ingredients like all purpose plain flour or bread flour, yeast, olive oil, a little honey, salt and warm water, this Focaccia Genovese uses some of the typical toppings.
- green olives - I prefer stone-in (de-seed before using) but you can use pitted
- onion - sliced thinly and rubbed with olive oil
Variations
There are so many variations of toppings for Focaccia Genovese. Here are some suggestions. Instead of olives and onions top with:-
- fresh rosemary
- chunks of cheese such are mozzarella or taleggio
- black olives
- cherry tomatoes
- mushrooms
- grapes
- garlic
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water with yeast and honey and let it stand until bubbly.
- Work in the flour, rest 5 minutes then add the oil and salt and mix until smooth and elastic.
- Set aside to rise until doubled.
- Tip the dough onto a well oil baking pan and fold several times.
- Stretch the dough to fit the pan. It will take time and the dough will start to rise again.
- Press the olives into one half of the dough and scatter oiled onion slices over the other side. Pour over the brine and allow the dough to rise before baking until golden brown.
Tips for success and FAQ's
This is not the sort of recipe that you can skimp on olive oil. Use the full quantity in the recipe and make sure it's good oil that you like the taste of.
Avoid adding extra flour to the dough because this will make the focaccia dense. Use oil to stop the dough sticking to your hands or anything else!
It's important that when the Focaccia Genovese is baked, it is taken out of the pan and onto a wire rack. This way the bottom doesn't steam and end up soggy.
Focaccia is not the same. It's is much lighter and fluffier that pizza. Plus the toppings are simple on a focaccia so that the dough is not weighed dough. Pizza is more of a meal and focaccia is more of a side or starter.
It could be that you didn't use enough olive oil. Or the baking pan is not of good quality. Be sure to use a heavy, not one that is old, maybe rusty or has seen better days.
Ideally, it's best eat focaccia within hours of baking. But I will keep the bread in a sealed container in the refrigerator (or at room temperature in a cool climate) for a day or two. Reheat in the oven until warmed through and a bit crispy. Never reheat in the microwave - you won't be happy.
More recipe like this
Calabrese Pizza
Cheese and Bacon Bread
Portuguese Bread
Grissini Breadsticks
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Focaccia Genovese Recipe
Equipment
- 15in x 10in (38cm x 25cm) heavy baking pan
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups (300mls) warm water
- 2¼ teaspoons (7 grams) active dried yeast
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 3¼ cups (400g) all purpose (plain) flour or bread flour
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
Topping
- ⅓ cup large green olives, pitted or whole de-seeded green olives
- ½ onion sliced thinly
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Brine
- ¼ cup lukewarm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
To finish
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil extra for brushing after focaccia has baked
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together warm water, dried active yeast and honey. Allow to stand approximately 10 minutes until frothy.
- Using the dough hook on the stand mixer (or use your hands), add flour to the water/yeast mixture and combine until mixture comes together. Stand 5 minutes.
- Add oil and salt and continue to mix for 5 minutes (or 7 minutes by hand) until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour in a warm place.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil onto baking pan with sides.
- Tip the dough gently onto the oiled, 15in x 10in (38cm x 25cm) baking pan.
- Press out gently to flatten slightly to degas a little. Pick up one side of the dough stretch it and fold it over to the other side. Repeat on all sides.
- Gently stretch the dough to fit the pan. You will need to place your hands under the dough and stretch it. Don't worry if it doesn't fully stretch to fit. Set aside for 30 minutes. During the time you'll be able to stretch it out to fit.
- After 30 minutes, make indentations with your fingers into the dough. Press in at an angle.
- Press olive halves (or whole de-seeded green olives) into one half of the dough. Rub onion slices with olive oil then scatter onion slices over the other half.
- Mix together brine ingredients until salt is dissolved. Pour over dimpled dough. Allow to proof for 30 minutes until puffy and bubbly.
- In the meantime preheat oven to 450°F (235°C).
- Sprinkle with flaky salt and bake on the centre rack for 20 minutes. Then move to the upper rack and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and immediately turn onto a wire rack. Drizzle or brush 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the baked focaccia. Don't worry if it pools in the dimples, the oil will gradually soak into the bread.
- Serve warm or at room temperature cut into large squares.
Notes
- fresh rosemary
- chunks of cheese such are mozzarella or taleggio
- black olives
- cherry tomatoes
- mushrooms
- grapes
- garlic
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Sandra D
I made this today for the second time - the first time I made it as explained, but this time I put red onions, tomato's and black olives on it, along with roasted garlic on it just before baking. I did adde the oil on it after baking, along with a bit more of the garlic. The BEST I've made and will make it again and again!
Marcellina
Sounds like a delicious version Sandra! I do love that combination.
Michaela Graham
One of my fav Italian bread!
Jamie
My favorite thing to serve with pasta~