Homemade Sesame Focaccia Bread
Whether you're baking for the first time or are a bread-baking regular, this Homemade Sesame Focaccia is the ultimate go-to. It’s simple, flexible, and absolutely delicious with a crispy crust and chewy interior that everyone will love.
Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 500 g all-purpose or bread flour
- 400 g water
- 3 g instant yeast or 5 g active dry yeast
- 10 g salt
- 25 g olive oil + olive oil for the bottom of the pan and topping
- 25 g honey
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, yeast, water, olive oil, and honey. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Stretch and Fold: Perform 3–4 rounds of stretch and folds every 30 minutes over the next 2 hours. To stretch and fold: wet your hands, gently pull one edge of the dough and fold it over itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat on all sides.
- Cold Fermentation: Cover the dough and place it in the fridge overnight (8–24 hours). This slow rise enhances flavor and structure.
- Shape and Second Rise:Lightly oil a 9x13 metal pan or sheet pan. Transfer the dough into the pan and gently stretch it to the edges. Cover and let rise at room temperature for 2–3 hours, or until puffy.
- Dimple and Top: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Drizzle a little olive oil over the dough and use your fingertips to dimple it all over. Sprinkle sesame seeds generously on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp on top. Let cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
✔️ If you have one, use a kitchen scale for accuracy
✔️ Cold fermentation improves flavor and makes the dough easier to handle.
✔️ Don’t skip the stretch-and-folds—they build gluten without kneading.
✔️ Sesame seeds can toast quickly—watch the top during the last 5 minutes.
✔️ Let the focaccia rest for 10-15 minutes after baking so the crumb sets before slicing.
✔️ Cold fermentation improves flavor and makes the dough easier to handle.
✔️ Don’t skip the stretch-and-folds—they build gluten without kneading.
✔️ Sesame seeds can toast quickly—watch the top during the last 5 minutes.
✔️ Let the focaccia rest for 10-15 minutes after baking so the crumb sets before slicing.