Focaccia Vegan Recipe: Easy, Delicious, and Homemade

Focaccia is a classic Italian bread known for its golden crust, airy crumb, and delightful dimpled surface. This vegan focaccia recipe brings all those beautiful qualities to your kitchen without any animal products, making it a perfect choice for both vegans and bread lovers alike.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is straightforward and yields a soft, flavorful bread that’s perfect as a snack, sandwich base, or side to your favorite meal.

The beauty of focaccia lies in its simplicity and versatility. Topped with fragrant herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt, it transforms humble ingredients into something truly special.

Plus, this vegan version embraces the same traditional techniques, ensuring a chewy texture and crispy edges that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ready to impress your family and friends with a freshly baked loaf? Let’s dive into this delicious vegan focaccia recipe that will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan focaccia recipe is a crowd-pleaser for many reasons. First, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring just a handful of simple, plant-based ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

The dough is forgiving and doesn’t demand complicated kneading or special equipment, making it accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Moreover, the focaccia is wonderfully versatile. You can customize toppings to your liking—rosemary, cherry tomatoes, olives, caramelized onions, or even vegan cheese alternatives.

The bread’s texture strikes the perfect balance between a soft interior and a crisp, golden crust, creating a delightful eating experience.

Lastly, this recipe is entirely vegan and free from any dairy or eggs, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to enjoy a wholesome, plant-based treat. It also pairs beautifully with a variety of meals or can be enjoyed on its own with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
• ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar or maple syrup (to activate yeast)
• Fresh rosemary sprigs (about 2 tbsp finely chopped)
• Coarse sea salt for topping
• Optional toppings: cherry tomatoes, olives, caramelized onions, garlic slices

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or fork (for mixing yeast)
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap (for covering dough)
• 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking pan or similar baking sheet
• Oven preheated to 425°F (220°C)
• Pastry brush or spoon (for olive oil)

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and gently stir. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix the dough: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a sticky dough forms. Add ⅓ cup olive oil and mix until incorporated.
3. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour, but avoid adding too much to keep the bread soft.
4. First rise: Lightly oil your mixing bowl and place the dough inside, turning it once to coat with oil. Cover with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Prepare the pan: Drizzle olive oil generously in your baking pan. Transfer the risen dough into the pan and gently stretch it out with your fingers to fill the pan evenly. If it springs back, let it rest a few minutes and try again.
6. Create dimples: Using your fingertips, press down into the dough to create deep dimples all over the surface. This characteristic focaccia texture helps hold the olive oil and toppings.
7. Add toppings: Drizzle more olive oil over the top. Sprinkle the chopped rosemary and coarse sea salt evenly. Add any optional toppings like halved cherry tomatoes or olives, pressing them slightly into the dough.
8. Second rise: Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again for 20-30 minutes until puffy.
9. Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) if you haven’t already. Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp on the edges.
10. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature with a drizzle of olive oil or your favorite dip.

Tips & Variations

“For the best focaccia texture, don’t be afraid to use your fingers to create deep indentations in the dough. This helps trap the olive oil and gives the bread its signature look and flavor.”

• Use different herbs: Try thyme, oregano, or basil for a unique twist on the classic rosemary focaccia.
• Sweet focaccia: Add sliced figs or grapes with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a sweet-savory version.
• Stuffed focaccia: Layer vegan cheese or sautéed mushrooms inside the dough before the final rise for a delicious surprise.
• Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but keep in mind the dough may behave differently.
• Make ahead: The dough can be prepared the night before and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your vegan focaccia as a delicious appetizer with a bowl of homemade tomato soup or alongside a fresh salad for a light lunch. It pairs wonderfully with Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus, baba ganoush, or a vibrant Greek salad.

For a heartier meal, slice the focaccia horizontally and use it for sandwiches filled with roasted vegetables, vegan cheese, and fresh greens. It also makes a perfect base for bruschetta or as a side to any pasta dish.

Looking to experiment more with vegan baking? Check out our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves or indulge your sweet tooth with the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious.

Conclusion

Making focaccia from scratch is a rewarding experience, especially when you get to enjoy a warm, fragrant loaf fresh from your oven. This vegan focaccia recipe proves that you don’t need dairy or eggs to create a bread that is soft, flavorful, and irresistibly crispy on the outside.

The combination of simple ingredients, fresh herbs, and quality olive oil brings out the best in this classic Italian bread.

Whether you’re serving it as a snack, a side, or a sandwich base, this focaccia will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Don’t hesitate to get creative with toppings and variations to suit your taste.

For more plant-based recipes that celebrate fresh veggies and wholesome ingredients, explore our collection of Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Focaccia Vegan Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A soft and flavorful vegan focaccia bread topped with olive oil and herbs. Perfect as a snack or side dish for any meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 cup warm water”, “2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast”, “2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)”, “1 tsp sugar”, “1 tsp salt”, “1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped”, “1 tsp sea salt flakes”, “1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water; let sit for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add flour, salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil to yeast mixture; mix to form dough.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Knead dough on floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place dough in oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 425\u00b0F (220\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Transfer dough to oiled baking pan; press dimples into dough with fingers.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drizzle olive oil over dough, sprinkle rosemary and sea salt flakes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from oven, drizzle with balsamic vinegar if desired, cool slightly, and serve.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220”, “proteinContent”: “6g”, “fatContent”: “7g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “33g”}}