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Golden-brown no-knead focaccia with rosemary and tomatoes, dimpled surface topped with coarse salt and olive oil
Breads & Muffins

No-Knead Focaccia

This dish always surprises everyone. This no-knead technique was invented by Mark Bittman and requires absolutely no kneading, no special ingredients, equipment or fancy techniques! So simple yet might just be one of the best breads you'll bake.

5.0 (1)
Prep
15 min
Cook
43hr 30min
Total
43hr 45min
Serves
8
Style
🍽 Elevated

This dish always surprises everyone. This no-knead technique was invented by Mark Bittman and requires absolutely no kneading, no special ingredients, equipment or fancy techniques! So simple, yet it might just be one of the best breads you'll bake.

Look at the beautiful crumb structure on this bread. The bottom is incredible and slightly crunchy!

This goes so well with soup or my zesty bread dip.

Ingredients

Servings:
8
  • 335 grams flour (about 2 3/4 cups)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 3/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 can (about 200 ml) whole tomatoes
  • Coarse salt to taste
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine the flour, salt, yeast, and water in a very large bowl. Mix it with a wooden spoon until all of the flour is hydrated. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and leave it on the counter for 10–24 hours.

  2. 2

    Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. Pour 2 tbsp (30 ml) of oil into a heavy cast iron skillet. Transfer the dough ball into the skillet, turning it so that all of it is covered in oil, then leaving it seam side down. Press the dough with your palms to flatten it and spread it across the bottom of the skillet. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 2 hours.

  3. 3

    Preheat the oven to 550°F (290°C). This will take at least half an hour, so do that after the dough has been rising for about 1.5 hours.

  4. 4

    Hand crush the canned tomatoes and drain them on paper towels.

  5. 5

    When it's ready to be baked, layer the drained tomatoes all over the focaccia. Press the top of the entire bread with your fingertips to embed the tomatoes. Sprinkle with rosemary and coarse salt, and drizzle with 1 tbsp (15 ml) of olive oil.

  6. 6

    Transfer the whole skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 18–24 minutes until the bottom is crisp and golden brown and the top is browned. If the top doesn't brown as much, feel free to broil it, watching closely for a minute or two.

  7. 7

    Remove it from the oven, sprinkle with Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. Slice and enjoy.

FAQ

Can you make no-knead focaccia ahead of time?+
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough after the 10-24 hour rise for up to 3 days, then shape and bake when ready. You can also freeze the baked focaccia for up to 3 months and reheat it wrapped in foil at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
What can I use instead of fresh rosemary?+
You can substitute dried rosemary (use about half the amount since it's more concentrated), fresh thyme, or even Italian seasoning blend. Garlic powder, sea salt, and olive oil alone also make a delicious classic focaccia if you don't have herbs on hand.
Why is my focaccia dough too sticky to shape?+
No-knead focaccia dough is naturally very wet—that's what creates the open crumb structure. Keep your hands and work surface generously floured, and don't worry if it's slack; just stretch it gently into your oiled skillet rather than trying to knead it smooth.
Can you make this focaccia without a cast iron skillet?+
Absolutely! Use any oven-safe skillet, baking pan, or Dutch oven—just make sure to oil it well so the bottom gets crispy and golden. A 9x13-inch baking pan works great and may give you a slightly thinner, crispier focaccia.

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No-Knead Focaccia Recipe | Easy Italian Bread | Food 400°