Rosemary and Sea Salt Focaccia Bread

Focaccia, the classic Italian bread, is known for its flat, oven-baked style and deliciously chewy texture. It's a versatile accompaniment to a variety of Italian meals but also makes a beautiful standalone dish. Today, we are exploring an air fryer-friendly version that brings out the flavours of rosemary and sea salt, perfect for a quick, yet sumptuous bite.

Freshly baked rosemary and sea salt focaccia

Making bread might sound daunting, but with this simple recipe, even beginning bakers can create something remarkable. Using an air fryer simplifies the process by providing even cooking and consistent results. The key ingredients—rosemary and sea salt—offer aromatic and savoury notes that transform this basic bread into something extraordinarily tasty.

Ingredients:

  • 500g strong white bread flour
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast
  • 2 teaspoons of sugar
  • 300ml lukewarm water
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center, and add the yeast and sugar. Pour half of the water into the well.
  2. Using a wooden spoon, mix all the ingredients until they come together to form a rough dough.
  3. Add the remaining water bit by bit, mixing until the dough is smooth and elastic. You may not need all the water, or you might need a little more—adjust accordingly.
  4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
    5. Kneading dough for focaccia
  5. Lightly oil a large clean bowl, place the dough in, and cover with a damp cloth. Leave it to rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  6. Once risen, punch down the dough to knock out the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle to fit your air fryer basket.
  7. Brush the top of the dough generously with olive oil. Using your fingers, make dimples all over the surface of the dough.
    8. Dimpling focaccia dough before air frying
  8. Sprinkle the chopped rosemary and sea salt over the top.
  9. Carefully place the prepared dough into the air fryer basket.
  10. Set the air fryer to 190°C and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the focaccia is golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  11. Remove the focaccia from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Serving Suggestions:

This focaccia is a perfect partner for soups and stews, or enjoy it with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. For a quintessential Italian snack, serve it alongside a selection of olives and cheeses. Its unique flavour also makes it an excellent sandwich base. Cut horizontally and fill with your favourite deli meats, cheeses, and spreads.

Benefits of Air Frying:

Using an air fryer to make focaccia not only cuts down on time but also conserves energy compared to conventional baking. The circulating hot air cooks the bread evenly, ensuring a perfect crust and fluffy interior while being more environmentally friendly than preheating and using a full-sized oven.

Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, air fryer focaccia offers an efficient and equally delicious way to enjoy homemade bread without the fuss. Its simplicity and taste are bound to make it a staple in your kitchen!