Best Focaccia Toppings You Need to Try This Week
If you are a pizza lover, you will probably love focaccia. With its light and fluffy texture, focaccia is a traditional flatbread topped with herbs and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil that gives it a rich and bold flavour. From simple herbs to bold toppings like caramelised onions or creamy burrata, there are endless ways to enjoy it.
In this article, we'll share some exciting topping ideas that will give you the best experience when trying focaccia!
What Is a Focaccia?
Italy has always been known for its authentic, flavorful foods such as pizza and focaccia. Known as a flatbread similar to pizza, focaccia is a soft bread with a golden, crispy crust. Made from simple ingredients such as flour, olive oil, water, yeast, and additional ingredients like toppings and spices, focaccia offers a unique flavour despite its basic ingredients, making it a favourite among almost everyone.
How Is Focaccia Different From Other Breads?
What makes focaccia stand out is its softer texture than usual bread and its unique shape. It has a unique shape because it is pinched at the top of the flatbread, which is then filled with various toppings, giving it distinct characteristics. In addition, it is also said to have a texture and taste similar to pizza but feels softer in every bite.
Another significant difference in the focaccia recipe is how it is baked. Focaccia is typically baked flat on a tray with a generous drizzle of olive oil on top and sometimes even underneath.
Variations on Traditional Focaccia
Focaccia is so versatile that every country has its unique toppings and preparation methods. In Italy, this flatbread is commonly topped with rosemary and olive oil, which are also the main ingredients. However, because so many people around the world love focaccia, several variations have been adapted to suit the tastes of people from other countries. For example, in Liguria, they make it thin and cheesy with focaccia di Recco, often using mozzarella for a delightful melt. Additionally, some people prefer plain focaccia that only uses olive oil to enjoy the base flavour fully.
Best Focaccia Toppings to Try
Besides rosemary and olive oil, which are commonly used as flatbread and pizza toppings, focaccia can also have a variety of toppings that blend well with the soft dough. For example, cherry tomatoes and basil add a caprese twist and are perfect for making vegan focaccia, while caramelised onions and thyme can be added for a sweet-savoury flavour. Another option is prosciutto and ricotta for a full-flavoured bite. The experience of trying many different toppings on focaccia dough is delightful and unique because it gives you a variety of rich flavours with every bite. This is why focaccia is so popular. It offers surprises and rich flavours in every variety.
Choosing the Right Focaccia Herbs
Herbs are an essential highlight of focaccia making because they bring an intense aroma and distinguish focaccia from other flatbreads. However, rosemary is the most commonly used herb because it blends well with the dough and also gives it a unique flavour. Other herb options are also diverse because focaccia is a fairly versatile dish. You can use olive oil to infuse garlic and chilli, or oregano to add an earthy flavour. With these various herb options, you can make focaccia in a simple way or mix the herbs for a more flavorful punch.
How to Prevent Focaccia Toppings from Burning
When making focaccia, the toppings may burn because it is made using an oven with a fairly high temperature. Therefore, learn various ways to avoid this problem! To get the perfect toppings and the right level of doneness, keep your oven between 200–220°C and always preheat it. For delicate toppings like cheese, garlic, or soft herbs, add them near the end or after baking because they are more prone to burning compared to other ingredients. It is also recommended to add fresh toppings after baking to keep the focaccia flavorful and prevent the toppings from drying out.
How to Use and Store Focaccia
Although it is recommended to consume it immediately after baking to preserve the fresh taste of the bread and herbs, focaccia can also be stored for up to two days. You can wrap focaccia in foil and store the flatbread at room temperature instead of in the refrigerator, as refrigeration can cause the bread to dry out. For more extended storage, slice and freeze it, then reheat in the oven until warm and crisp. One of the advantages of storing focaccia is that its flavour typically becomes more robust and remains very enjoyable to eat, especially when reheated to a flaky texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Classic dips include olive oil with balsamic vinegar, garlic butter, or even a tomato-based sauce. For something different, try whipped ricotta with honey or herbed yoghurt. Making it classically and simply will enhance the overall flavour
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Pesto burns quickly, so it's best to add it after baking. You can also swirl it into the dough before baking or spoon it on while the focaccia is still warm. This way, it melts slightly without drying out.
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Most toppings go on just before baking, allowing the flavours to meld into the focaccia dough. It helps the toppings stick and cook evenly, ensuring a perfectly golden brown finish. For delicate items like cheese or fresh herbs, add them halfway through or just before serving to prevent burning.
Conclusion
Focaccia is a flavour-packed base for creativity, inviting you to experiment with various savoury toppings. Whether you're into salty olives, roasted veg, or a classic rosemary finish, there's always a new topping to try. It's easy, satisfying, and brings a little Italian atmosphere to any table.
Want more Italian food ideas or craving focaccia today? Check out Panza Piena to explore more authentic Italian food for catering, including fresh focaccia with Roman-style pizzas. Give it a try this week!