The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe

Okay, let me tell you about The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe—it’s honestly one of my favorite things to whip up when I want something comforting but still impressive. The bread itself is this beautifully soft and bubbly focaccia base that’s incredibly forgiving, then topped with the perfect balance of melty mozzarella, tangy pizza sauce, and that creamy ricotta that takes every bite next level. Seriously, once you make this, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain old pizza crust.

Whether you’re throwing a casual weeknight dinner or feeding friends on a chill weekend, this recipe works like a charm. It’s quick enough to keep you out of the kitchen for too long but flavorful enough to earn some hungry compliments. Plus, I love how you can customize the toppings to your mood or whatever you have on hand, making The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe a total crowd-pleaser every single time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I always find that the magic of focaccia pizza is really in choosing simple, fresh ingredients that complement each other without overshadowing that gorgeous dough. Separating the focaccia components from the toppings makes it easy to shop and allows you to swap or upgrade toppings later if you want.

• All-purpose flour: This is your bread’s backbone. I stick to regular flour for that perfect chew and rise.
• Fine sea salt: Just a pinch in the dough enhances all those flavors without being overpowering.
• Active dry yeast: The secret agent that gets your dough puffed and airy—make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
• Warm water: Helps activate the yeast quickly. Not too hot or you’ll kill your yeast friends!
• Olive oil: Quality matters here; it adds such a lovely richness and crispness to your focaccia edges.
• Honey: Just a touch to feed the yeast and balance the savory notes.
• Pizza sauce: I’m a fan of jarred sauces like RAO’s for convenience without sacrificing flavor.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and has that stretchy, gooey factor you want in pizza.
• Thick-sliced pepperoni: Adds that classic pizza punch—feel free to pile it on!
• Whole milk ricotta cheese: Seasoned with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano to bring a creamy, herby layer that ties everything together.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the season or who I’m cooking for. The beauty of The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe is how adaptable it is, so don’t be shy about experimenting with toppings or even tweaks to the dough!

• Veggie-loaded: When I want a lighter version, I pile on roasted veggies like bell peppers, eggplant, and mushrooms—adds color and great flavor.
• Garlic and herb kick: Sometimes, I mix minced garlic and fresh rosemary into the dough for an aromatic upgrade that smells irresistible.
• Spicy twist: Adding red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce and topping with spicy sausage gives it a little fire.
• Gluten-free adaptation: While I haven’t tried this with gluten-free flour myself, swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend could work if you add a little xanthan gum for structure.

How to Make The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast and Get Your Dough Going

Start by mixing your active dry yeast with warm water and honey—think warm bath temperature, not hot—then let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it’s nice and foamy. This is where the magic begins! If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be dead, so grab a new packet. Once you see that bubbly goodness, mix in the flour, salt, and olive oil until it forms a sticky dough.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise Until Puffy and Soft

Cover your dough with a damp towel and set it somewhere warm for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. I like to preheat my oven to 80°F and then turn it off—it makes a cozy spot. This rising time is essential; it gives that beautiful airy texture focaccia is known for.

Step 3: Shape Your Focaccia Base and Add Dimples

Gently press your risen dough into a well-oiled sheet pan, stretching it to all corners without deflating it too much. Then, use your fingers to make deep little dimples all over the surface—that’s not just for looks, these pockets hold olive oil and create that signature focaccia texture and flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Focaccia Base Before Topping

Pop the dough into the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes until it’s lightly golden. This pre-bake step is key to keep your focaccia crust from getting soggy when you add your sauce and cheese later. Think of it as giving the base a sturdy but tender foundation.

Step 5: Top, Bake, and Enjoy!

Once your base is baked, spread on a generous layer of pizza sauce, sprinkle that shredded mozzarella all over, add your pepperoni slices, and dollop on the seasoned ricotta. Return the pizza to the oven for another 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden in spots. Then, let it cool just a bit so those flavors settle—trust me, your taste buds are in for a treat.

How to Serve The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish mine with a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Sometimes a handful of fresh basil leaves or a bit of arugula tossed with lemon juice gives a fresh contrast to that richness. It’s those little touches that turn great pizza into unforgettable pizza.

Side Dishes

Pair this focaccia pizza with a simple mixed greens salad dressed in balsamic vinegar or a bowl of roasted garlic hummus and veggies. For me, some crisp roasted potatoes on the side always complete the meal and soak up any extra sauce or cheese crumbs perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I slice the focaccia pizza into fun shapes using cookie cutters—mini hearts or stars work great for parties. Another favorite trick is to make a “pizza board” with different focaccia squares, each topped with various combos, so guests can mix and match flavors. It’s fun and totally customizable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate. The focaccia crust keeps its softness nicely for up to 3 days if well stored. When I’m too busy to finish the pizza in one sitting, this method really saves me.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices wrapped in parchment and foil, then popped them into a zip-top bag. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen. It’s a game changer for meal prep or unexpected guests.

Reheating

Reheat your focaccia pizza slices in a hot oven (around 375°F) on a baking sheet for about 8-10 minutes. This method revives the crisp edges and melty cheese without drying out the dough like a microwave can. I swear by this for leftover pizza nights.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This recipe truly feels like a labor of love every time I make The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe. It hits all the right notes—comfort food vibes, impressive presentation, and, best of all, simplicity you can rely on. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and that it becomes a go-to dish for your family and friends. Trust me, once you try this homemade focaccia pizza, order-in options will become a thing of the past!

The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 60 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 1 large focaccia pizza (serves 6-8) 1x
• Category: Pizza
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

This recipe features a delightful focaccia pizza combining the fluffy, airy texture of focaccia bread with classic pizza toppings. The focaccia dough is made from scratch using all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and olive oil, resulting in a soft, flavorful crust. Topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and creamy ricotta cheese seasoned with herbs and red pepper flakes, this easy-to-make focaccia pizza is perfect for a tasty homemade meal that balances rustic bread and traditional pizza flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Focaccia:

• 4 3/4 cups (570 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon (12 grams) fine sea salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast
• 2 cups (452 grams) warm water
• 1/4 cup (60 grams) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (21 grams) honey

For the Pizza:

• 1 12-ounce jar pizza sauce (RAO’s brand recommended)
• 2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• Thick-sliced pepperoni, as much as desired
• 1 cup (8 ounces) whole milk ricotta cheese, seasoned with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Focaccia Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and fine sea salt. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water and add the honey to activate the yeast. Allow it to sit for a few minutes until frothy, indicating yeast activation.
2. Mix and Knead the Dough: Add the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until a dough forms, then knead the dough by hand or with a mixer fitted with a dough hook until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
3. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
4. Shape the Dough: Prepare a baking sheet or pizza pan by greasing it with olive oil. Transfer the risen dough onto the pan and gently stretch and press it out to fit the pan, creating dimples with your fingers across the surface to prevent bubbling.
5. Second Rise: Allow the shaped dough to rise again on the pan for about 20 to 30 minutes, until slightly puffy.
6. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to prepare for baking the focaccia base.
7. Bake the Focaccia Base: Bake the dough for 15-20 minutes until it develops a golden-brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped.
8. Add Toppings: Remove the focaccia from the oven and evenly spread the jar of pizza sauce over the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously, arrange thick-sliced pepperoni to your liking, and dollop the whole milk ricotta cheese seasoned with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano across the pizza.
9. Bake the Pizza: Return the topped focaccia to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
10. Serve: Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious homemade focaccia pizza with its perfect blend of crispy crust and savory toppings.

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Notes

• Ensure the water for activating yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• You can substitute pizza sauce with homemade marinara if preferred.
• For extra flavor, drizzle additional olive oil on the focaccia before the first bake.
• The ricotta can be seasoned to taste – adjust salt, red pepper flakes, and oregano according to preference.
• Store leftovers wrapped in foil or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.

Keywords: focaccia pizza, homemade focaccia, easy pizza recipe, Italian pizza, pepperoni pizza, ricotta pizza, pizza with focaccia dough