12+ Must-Try Sourdough Focaccia Toppings (With Recipes)

If you love sourdough focaccia you’ve got to try these unique sourdough focaccia toppings and flavors. With easy to follow, beginner-friendly recipes, you can make any of these sourdough focaccias in just one day! Whether you are looking for sweet or savory toppings this list has you covered.

What is sourdough focaccia bread? 

Focaccia is a type of flatbread drizzled in olive oil and topped with a variety of seasonings and veggies similar to pizza. The textures in focaccia are so delicious with a crispy, golden brown crust (thanks to the extra virgin olive oil) and fluffy, chewy crumb. To make a sourdough version of focaccia you use active sourdough starter in place of yeast to leaven the dough.

What is sourdough starter? 

To put it simply sourdough starter is a wild yeast that replaces commercial yeast as the leavening agent in a recipe. It is a live fermented culture of flour and water. Long fermented sourdough recipes are known to be gut healthy and easier to digest. If you are brand new to sourdough you can learn how to make a sourdough starter in as little as two weeks with my easy to follow sourdough starter recipe. Once you have a starter be sure to try my simple overnight sourdough bread recipe and sourdough sandwich bread.

How to make sourdough focaccia?

Traditional sourdough focaccia dough is made with 5 simple ingredeints, sourdough starter, bread flour, water, salt, and olive oil. Mix together your ingredients in a large mixing bowl and let the dough rise in a warm spot until you see bubbles throughout the sides and the dough is aerated. Drizzle a pan in olive oil and add the dough to the pan. Let it rise or proof again until it fills the pan and is well risen and fluffy. Top with more olive oil and sprinkle toppings and salt on top. Dimple the dough with your fingers. Bake in the oven at 425°F for 25-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Remove from the pan and cool on a cooling rack. Slice and enjoy.

What is the best way to eat focaccia bread?

Focaccia can be eaten in a variety of ways. It makes a great side for soup, salad or pasta night or is delicious bread for making a sandwich. Some of these focaccia can even be eaten as the main dish for lunch or dinner like the hawaiian roll slider focaccia or cheeseburger focaccia. Focaccia is also great as an appetizer dipped in olive oil, red pepper flakes and other herbs or on a chacuterie board with kalamata olives and salami. 

When to put toppings on focaccia?

Most toppings are added to the focaccia dough right before baking. Once ready to bake, add olive oil, toppings and flaky sea salt the the dough before dimpling it. Bake immediately after.

Why dimple focaccia dough? 

Dimpling the dough is not just for aesthetics, it’s actually an important part of the process. It expels the air which ensures that the bread does not balloon up when baking. This also ensures an even crumb without excessively large holes in the bread. To dimple the dough, press oiled fingertips straight down into the dough until you touch the bottom of the pan. Repeat the process around the entire pan. I prefer to pop any excessively large bubbles before baking so they don’t burn in the oven.

How to store sourdough focaccia bread

Focaccia with simple herbs can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Focaccia made with meats, cheeses, and vegetables should be stored in the fridge. To reheat leftovers, place them in the air fyer or oven at 375°F for 5-10 minutes until warmed.  You can also microwave the focaccia but it will result in a softer crust.

What are the best topping for focaccia? 

Some of the classic toppings include cherry tomatoes, peppers, olives, parmesan cheese, garlic, fresh yellow or red onions, caramelized onions, and herbs like rosemary, oregano and basil. And don’t forget the flaky sea salt sprinkled on top. However, if you are looking for unique sourdough focaccia toppings or flavors check out my list below with full recipes and sample schedules. If you are looking for mix-in ideas for your sourdough breads be sure to check out my list of 21 sourdough bread mix-ins to try!