Same Day Sourdough Focaccia Recipe

5 from 11 votes
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This Sourdough Focaccia has a soft and fluffy texture on the inside and crisp and chewy on the outside, and is perfect for beginners. It is a naturally leavened, no-knead method that can be made in just one day!

Inside view of sourdough focaccia sliced on top of parchment paper.

Delicious!! This was so simple to make with great results. Everything that focaccia should be – light, fluffy, and flavorful! I can’t wait to make it again.” -Jo

This sourdough focaccia bread is beginner-friendly and requires no special equipment. It is a great first recipe to try when baking sourdough because it doesn’t need any shaping or scoring like my Same Day Sourdough Bread does. There is no Dutch oven needed, just a simple 9×13 pan, which you likely already have at home! It is really simple to make, but the results are an insanely delicious, chewy, soft, sourdough bread.

Why this easy sourdough focaccia recipe is great for beginners 

  • Flexible schedule – This focaccia can be made in one day or leave it in the fridge to bake the next day.
  • No kneading or shaping – This is a no-knead recipe, so no stand mixer or hand kneading. Plus you don’t need to shape the dough like traditional sourdough bread. 
  • No special equipment – You don’t need a Dutch oven or any other special tool to make sourdough focaccia, just a 9×13 baking dish. 
  • Naturally leavened – There is no yeast required, and you can get the beautiful sourdough flavor with just a few simple ingredients and your sourdough starter. 

Ingredients for Sourdough Focaccia 

Ingredients for Sourdough Focaccia in clear bowls on a grey background.
  • Active Sourdough Starter – Use an active and bubbly sourdough starter that has doubled in size.
  • Bread flour – I prefer bread flour, but in a pinch, you can swap bread flour for all-purpose flour but I recommend cutting the amount of liquid by 25-50 grams as all-purpose flour does not absorb as much water.
  • Water – Either filtered or tap water will work. Despite what some people say, I use tap water when baking sourdough bread with no problem.
  • Salt – Any type of salt will work.
  • Olive oil – Using oil creates the signature crunchy outside of the focaccia. 

How to make Sourdough Focaccia 

Shaggy dough for sourdough focaccia formed in a 2 quart container.

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl or straight edge container, mix together the water, active and bubbly sourdough starter, and salt until the starter is dissolved with a danish dough whisk (10% off with link), hands, or large spoon. Add the bread flour and mix until a shaggy dough is formed. Let it sit at 75°F covered for about 30 minutes. I like to cover with a lid or dinner plate instead of a tea towel so that the dough doesn’t dry out.

Hand pulling up sourdough focaccia dough to do a set of stretch and folds.

Step 2: Perform 3 sets of stretch and folds to develop the dough with at least a 30 minute rest in between each set. To stretch and fold the dough, grab one side with a damp hand and gently shimmy the dough up, and then fold it on itself. Repeat this 3 more times, rotating the bowl 90 degrees each time.

Sourdough focaccia dough rising in a clear 2-quart container.

Step 3: Continue to let the dough rise for bulk fermentation until it is risen 50% and is jiggly with bubbles forming around the sides of the bowl. With dough at 75°F, the first rise (including stretch and folds) will take about 4-5 hours total.

Dough for sourdough focaccia added to a metal 9x13 pan with olive oil.

Step 4: Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick spray and then coat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Dump the dough into the pan. Flip once to coat both sides with oil. Cover and let sit in a warm spot until it doubles in size and is puffy. With the dough staying at 75°F, this will take another 2-3 hours.

Sourdough focaccia dough in 9x13 pan after the second rise.

Step 5: Once the dough is puffy and ready, preheat the oven to 425°F.

Dough for sourdough focaccia in a 9x13 pan with dimples in the dough and olive oil added on top.

Step 6: Spread an additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top of the dough. Dimple the dough with your fingers and bake at 425°F for about 30-35 minutes or until cooked through. If using a glass pan expect bake times to be 5-10 minutes longer. Let cool on a cooling rack and serve warm.

Sample baking schedule

This is based on the dough temperature being at 75°F. There are many factors that can impact how slowly or quickly dough rises so use this as a guideline but look for the visual cues the dough is ready to move on.

StepTime
Feed sourdough starter a 1:5:5 ratio, leave at 72°F (15 grams starter: 70 grams flour: 70 grams water)10 pm
Mix dough together8 am
Stretch & Folds8:30-9:30 am
Add dough to pan1 pm
Bake3 pm

Recipe Tips

  • Make sure to let the dough get puffy and rise fully. Baking it too early will result in a denser focaccia.
  • To speed up the process, find a warmer spot for the dough to rise. If room temperature is not warm enough, use a temperature-regulated dough mat (use code country10 for 10% off) or proofing box to keep it warm. Learn more tips to keep your dough warm here. Using warm ingredients in the dough will help with this as well.
  • If you want to bake the next day, place the dough in the fridge after the first rise. Remove the dough from the fridge in the morning. Place in an oiled 9×13″ pan and let rise until puffy and doubled in size.
  • Add dough to a straight edge container so you can easily see when the dough has risen 50%.

Focaccia Toppings & Flavor Variations 

Toppings are completely optional, but they’re one of the best ways to make your sourdough focaccia your own. You can keep it simple with a sprinkle of sea salt or get creative with bold flavor combinations. I’ve even made a Pesto Sourdough Focaccia and Cinnamon Roll Sourdough Focaccia! Here are some topping ideas to inspire you:

  • Fresh herbs like rosemary, oregano, or thyme
  • Cherry tomatoes or sliced tomatoes
  • Garlic, onions, or shallots
  • Shredded cheese such as mozzarella or parmesan cheese (or try my Cheesy Sourdough Focaccia recipe)
  • Vegetables like olives, red peppers, capers, or artichoke hearts
  • Or your favorite toppings—mix and match to find a combo your family loves!

What I love most about focaccia is how easy it is to play with both the dough and the toppings. I’ve swapped out some of the water in the dough for other liquids to create entirely new flavors, like Salsa Sourdough Focaccia, pineapple juice in Hawaiian Roll Sourdough Focaccia, and applesauce in Caramel Apple Sourdough Focaccia.

The possibilities are endless. Think of this recipe as a blank canvas—browse all my Sourdough Focaccia Recipes and get inspired to try something new!

Close up on freshly baked sourdough focaccia.

How to store Sourdough Focaccia

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. To reheat, you can warm it in the microwave, or to get a crispy crust again, add it back to a 400°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.

Ideas to use sourdough focaccia

This Sourdough Focaccia bread recipe makes a delicious side dish for pasta night, soups, salads, or any other time you want a warm piece of bread with a meal. It also makes a great bread for sandwiches (try it with this Cheddar Bacon Ranch Sourdough Focaccia) or as a base for pizza (try it as this Margherita Pizza Sourdough Focaccia).

Recipe FAQ

What is Focaccia?

Focaccia is a flatbread that is made similarly to pizza dough. The bread is made in a pan, usually something like a 9×13-inch dish or 12″ round cast-iron pan. The bread is fluffy and chewy with a thin crispy crust. It has signature dimples in the dough and has a drizzle of olive oil to help create the crispy, golden brown crust.

Should I use extra virgin olive oil for this sourdough focaccia recipe?

Either extra virgin olive oil or olive oil will work for focaccia! Olive oil has a lighter flavor than extra virgin, so it just comes down to a matter of preference. 

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Bread flour is ideal because it has a higher protein content and absorbs liquid better. However, in a pinch, you can substitute all-purpose flour. However, since it does not absorb liquid as well, you will need to reduce the amount of water added by 25-50 grams. 

Can I prep the sourdough focaccia dough and bake it later?

Yes, you can prep the dough and then bake it the next day if you would like. Place the dough in the fridge after the first rise. Remove the dough from the fridge in the morning and place in an oiled 9×13″ pan and let it rise until puffy and doubled in size, and bake as directed.

How long can I leave the sourdough focaccia in the fridge for a cold fermentation?

I would recommend leaving it in the fridge for 18 hours max. Sourdough Focaccia is more forgiving because it is flat and won’t lose its shape like a traditional loaf. However, keep in mind that it will get a stronger sour flavor the longer it sits, and if its overproofed, it won’t be as fluffy.

What flavors of sourdough focaccia can I make?

What I love about focaccia so much is that the flavor variations are endless and go either savory or sweet. Find all my sourdough focaccia recipe flavors

What type of pan should I use to bake my sourdough focaccia? 

I recommend using a metal 9×13 pan or a large cast-iron skillet. If you only have a glass 9×13 pan, that will work too, but it does not hold heat as well as a metal pan, so you will need to bake the focaccia slightly longer. 

Why is my focaccia sticking to the pan?

If your focaccia is sticking to the pan, be sure to use non-stick cooking spray before adding the olive oil and dough. If you are still having issues with it sticking, you can line the 9×13 pan with parchment paper before adding the oil and dough. 

Is sourdough focaccia supposed to be wet or sticky?

Yes, focaccia dough is naturally stickier than traditional sourdough because it has a higher hydration level—meaning more water compared to flour. To keep it from clinging to your hands, use damp hands during the stretch and folds. As you continue, the gluten will strengthen and the dough will become much easier to handle.

New to sourdough?

If you’re new to sourdough, I’ve got a few helpful resources to get you started! Learn how to make your own sourdough starterhow to feed and care for your starter, and find my favorite sourdough baking tools. Plus, get familiar with 35+ sourdough terms so you can sound like a pro in no time. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper, my Online Sourdough Course walks you through the entire process of making artisan bread at home—with flexible timelines, easy-to-follow recipes, clear explanations, and bonus resources like a private mentoring group, my eBook All Roads Lead to Sourdough, and a packet of my 100+ year old starter (USA only).

More sourdough Focaccia Recipes

Tried this Sourdough Focaccia or another recipe from the site? I’d love to hear about it! Drop a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments—can’t wait to see what you’re baking!

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Inside view of sourdough focaccia sliced on top of parchment paper.
5 from 11 votes

Sourdough Focaccia

This Sourdough Focaccia has a soft and fluffy texture on the inside and crisp and chewy on the out. It is a naturally leavened, no-knead method that can be made in just one day!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Rise Time: 7 hours
Total: 7 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 400 grams water, 1 ¾ cups
  • 10 grams salt, 1 ½ teaspoon
  • 150 grams active sourdough starter, ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons
  • 500 grams bread flour, 3 ⅔ cups
  • 60 grams olive oil, divided, 4 tablespoons

Instructions 

  • In a bowl or straight edge container, mix together the water, active and bubbly sourdough starter, and salt until the starter is dissolved. Add the bread flour and mix until the flour is combined.  Let sit at 75°F covered for about 30 minutes. I like to cover with a lid or dinner plate instead of a tea towel so that the dough doesn’t dry out.
    400 grams water, 10 grams salt, 150 grams active sourdough starter, 500 grams bread flour
  • Perform 3 sets of stretch and folds to develop the dough with at least a 30 minute rest in between each set. To stretch and fold the dough, grab one side with a damp hand and gently shimmy the dough up, and then fold it on itself. Repeat this 3 more times rotating the bowl 90 degrees each time. 
  • Continue to let the dough rise for bulk fermentation until it is risen 50% and is jiggly with bubbles forming around the sides of the bowl. With dough at 75°F, the first rise (including stretch and folds) will take about 4-5 hours total. 
  • Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick spray and then coat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Dump dough into the pan. Flip once to coat both sides with oil. Cover and let sit at 75°F until it doubles in size and is puffy, about 2-3 hours later.
    60 grams olive oil, divided
  • Once the dough is puffy and ready, preheat the oven to 425℉
  • Spread 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top of the dough. Dimple the dough with your fingers and bake for about 30-35 minutes in a dark pan (a glass pan takes about 40 minutes) or until cooked through. The temperature of the dough should read between 195°F-210℉.
  • Let cool on a cooling rack and serve warm! 

Notes

  • See sample schedule included in the post above.
  • Make sure to let the dough get puffy and rise fully. Baking it too early will result in a denser focaccia. 
  • To speed up the process, find a warmer spot for the dough to rise. Using warm ingredients in the dough will help with this as well. 
  • If you want to bake the next day, place the dough in the fridge after the first rise. Remove the dough from the fridge in the morning. Place in a oiled 9×13″ pan and let rise until puffy and doubled in size.
  • Add dough to a straight edge container so you can easily see when the dough has risen 50%.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 206kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 326mg, Potassium: 42mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 0.4mg

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

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Cover for Same Day Sourdough Cookbook with a loaf of sourdough on a wooden board.

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About Emily Christensen

Welcome to Country Roads Sourdough! Here, I share my no-stress approach to making sourdough bread. I’m so excited to share my time-saving hacks, spill my best-kept tips and tricks, and whip up a bunch of my favorite sourdough recipes with you.

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5 from 11 votes

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Recipe Rating




27 Comments

  1. Mia E says:

    5 stars
    I made this recipe last night, exactly as directed, and it was literally the best focaccia I have EVER made. I made it to go with some homemade tomato soup and it paired perfectly. The outside was crispy, the inside wonderfully chewy and soft with great structure. The only thing I’m sad about is that it’s gone! This recipe will now be in my regular rotation.

    1. Emily Christensen says:

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked it.

  2. Maria Penelope Roberts says:

    IS it ok if I did ratio 50-50-50…I hope I didn’t mess up for foccacia

    1. Emily Christensen says:

      I’m assuming you are talking about feeding your starter? If so, yes!

  3. Kay says:

    5 stars
    This is the first success I’ve had with focaccia and the fact that it’s a same day recipe is such a bonus. My kitchen smells amazing from the rosemary I put on top before baking. Thank you!

    1. Emily Christensen says:

      I’m so glad Kay! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

  4. Dee-Nice says:

    5 stars
    I made this dough and ended up putting it in the fridge after the stretch and folds. I didn’t have time bake during the week. I did one stretch and fold per day until i could bake. Made a pizza version with cut turkey pepperoni and mozzarella on top ( added in the last 15 min of baking). Turned out phenomenal still. I’m impressed.

  5. Jo says:

    5 stars
    Delicious!! This was so simple to make with great results. Everything that focaccia should be – light, fluffy, and flavorful! I can’t wait to make it again.

    1. Country Roads Sourdough says:

      Thank you so much for the review Jo! I am so happy loved the Focaccia!