This easy No-Knead Focaccia is the perfect bread for any beginner baker! This recipe is delicious, impressive, and super simple. Anyone can make this cheesy homemade focaccia bread.

overhead view of no knead focaccia cut into squares with one upturned to show the texture.

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What’s in Easy Focaccia?

I love my classic focaccia recipe, but this three cheese focaccia bread just adds the most delicious touch to dinner. If you love cheese as much as I do, you will devour this bread so fast. I used three different cheeses for the ultimate flavor.

  • Flour: This recipe is designed to work with all-purpose flour. For chewier focaccia bread, you can swap some or all of the flour for bread flour.
  • Yeast: Helps the bread to rise. I used rapid-rise yeast to speed up the process, and it made this recipe so much easier!
  • Sugar: Feeds the yeast so it can make plenty of those gorgeous bubbles!
  • Salt: Gives this focaccia bread a good base of flavor. I like to use kosher salt. If using a different finer-grain salt (like sea salt or table salt), use half as much by volume or the same amount by weight.
  • Water: Moistens the dough.
  • Olive Oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil since it is a dominant flavor in the bread.
  • Italian Seasoning: Use any brand from the store, or make your own with this homemade Italian seasoning recipe.
  • Cheese: I used a mix of three cheeses: Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Feta. (You could substitute other cheeses if you prefer. Asiago would make a great addition!)

Pro Tip: If you use active dry or instant yeast, your dough will need to rise for about 1 hour for each of the two rises.

Variations on Topped Focaccia

There are so many ways to change up this cheesy focaccia. Swap the cheeses for your favorites to customize this bread to your tastes. Try adding several cloves of minced garlic to the dough for cheesy garlic focaccia. You can also add minced garlic or red pepper flakes to the last 2 tablespoons of olive oil for even more flavor. Try different fresh or dried herbs, such as sage, thyme, or oregano instead of Italian seasoning.

step by step photos for how to make no knead focaccia.
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How is focaccia different from other breads?

While focaccia bread is made with the same staple ingredients as traditional breads, it contains more yeast for a fluffier texture and is dimpled to seal in moisture. It is also generously coated with olive oil for a rich taste!

What yeast should I use?

I recommend using some kind of instant yeast (aka rapid-rise yeast or quick-rise yeast) for this cheese focaccia recipe. It will make things go so much faster. Waiting for the dough to rise is the longest part of the recipe, so this secret ingredient makes it much easier. Using it was as easy as the package said. No testing required. You can mix it right in with your dry ingredients. It worked like a charm.

Can I use different cheeses?

Absolutely! I’d say use your favorite cheese or mix of cheeses here. I love Parmesan, mozzarella, and feta. Cheddar, Asiago, or gouda would also be good!

Why is my focaccia bread dense?

Dense or heavy bread is usually caused by under- or over-proofing. Be sure to proof the dough until it has doubled in size. If your dough is properly proofed, it should slowly spring back when pressed with one finger. If it springs back too quickly, it is under-proofed. If it does not spring back at all, it is over-proofed.

close up view of no knead focaccia cut into large strips and small square pieces.

How to Make Ahead and Store Quick Focaccia

To make this cheesy focaccia bread in advance, follow the recipe through step 5, storing the dough tightly covered in the refrigerator overnight instead of on the counter for 30 minutes. The next day, unwrap the dough and let it come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before continuing with the recipe as written.

Store leftover no knead focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

How to Freeze and Reheat Cheese Focaccia Bread

Freeze no knead focaccia cut into individual slices wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating loosely wrapped in aluminum foil in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

What to Serve with Cheesy Focaccia

This no knead focaccia is the perfect appetizer before a delicious meal. It’s great with Italian classics like Dutch Oven Lasagna, Cheesy Italian Stuffed Shells, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, or Pesto Baked Rigatoni. Use it as the bread for your next sandwich, or cube it into croutons for a salad. This bread is perfect for soaking up extra olive oil or sauces from your dinner. So add it to your plate and dip away!

three-quarters view of no knead focaccia cut into squares with one upturned to show the texture.
Recipe Card

No Knead Focaccia Recipe (Cheese Focaccia)

4.65 from 14 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Rise Time: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Author: Becky Hardin
featured no knead focaccia.
This focaccia recipe is so easy to make, and topped with Parmesan, mozzarella, and feta for a cheesy bread.
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • cups all-purpose flour 390 grams
  • 0.25 ounce Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast 7 grams (1 packet)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 13 grams
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
  • cups water 341 grams
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 50 grams, divided
  • teaspoons Italian seasoning 5 grams, store-bought or homemade
  • ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup crumbled Feta cheese
  • Sea salt optional, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Combine the flour, dry yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir until blended.
    3¼ cups all-purpose flour, 0.25 ounce Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    dry ingredients for no knead focaccia in a white bowl.
  • Combine the water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 15-second increments until very warm but not scalding hot to the touch (105-110°F).
    1½ cups water, 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    wet ingredients for no knead focaccia in a white bowl.
  • Add water mixture to flour mixture. Stir with a large wooden spoon until well mixed. A dough will form.
    no knead focaccia dough in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.
  • Spread into greased 13×9-inch pan. The dough might not completely go to corners, but it will once it rises.
    no knead focaccia dough poured into a rectangular baking pan.
  • Cover with thin kitchen towel; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes .
    proofed no knead focaccia dough in a rectangular baking pan.
  • Using your lightly oiled finger, gently poke holes about every inch in the dough going nearly to the bottom of the dough. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle top with cheese, sea salt, and Italian herbs.
    1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, ½ cup freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese, Sea salt, 1 cup crumbled Feta cheese
    two hands using fingers to dimple no knead focaccia dough in a rectangular baking pan.
  • Let rise, uncovered, an additional 15 minutes while oven preheats to 375°F.
    cheeses and herbs drizzled over no knead focaccia bread dough in a rectangular baking pan.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly. Cut and serve with extra oil for dipping if you’d like.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Use a thin kitchen towel to place on top of the pan.
  • Place the pan of dough in a warm place to rise. You want it to double in size.
  • A good way to speed up the rising process is to use your oven. I set our oven on 200°F for 2-3 minutes and then turned it off, let it sit 5 minutes, and then placed the bread inside to rise. It worked great!
Storage: Store no knead focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 645mgPotassium: 35mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 175IUCalcium: 206mgIron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

More Focaccia Bread Recipes We Love

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.65 from 14 votes (7 ratings without comment)
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17 Comments
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Katie P
Katie P
August 8, 2020 5:22 pm

So easy and sooooo delicious! I added some roasted cherry tomatoes 😋5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
August 12, 2020 5:32 pm
Reply to  Katie P

Yum! I bet that was delicious!

Kodabigmouth
Kodabigmouth
June 29, 2019 12:16 am

There were no clear instructions on the adding of the cheese, it just says “Sprinkle top with more cheese, sea salt, and Italian herbs.” That implies the cheese was partly put in somewhere else…like, in the dough? Would’ve rated higher if not for that.3 stars

JBEAN
JBEAN
April 2, 2020 10:54 am
Reply to  Kodabigmouth

AGREE

Jennifer Dickey
Jennifer Dickey
February 10, 2018 6:49 pm

I visited your page to get a recipe for easy cheese focaccia and was shockedto see mention of my hometown and birth place Kirksville. How Cool! I have got to make this bread now!5 stars

Marilyn
Marilyn
September 6, 2015 1:20 pm

I am going to try foraccia bread it looks yummy5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
September 6, 2015 7:22 pm
Reply to  Marilyn

Hope you love it!!

Kholoud
Kholoud
March 21, 2015 3:31 am

Thank you for the recipe it looks delicious. I am in the process of making it but I just have one question; do I mix cheese with the dough? because in step 6 you instructed to add more cheese and I thought we might have needed to add before that.
Thanks again, for now I will only add the cheese as instructed above and we can’t wait to taste it :)
Kholoud

Janet
Janet
January 15, 2023 6:01 pm
Reply to  Kholoud

Yes same question about adding the cheese, it seems like she won’t reply to that one🤷‍♀️4 stars

Samantha Marceau
January 17, 2023 9:30 am
Reply to  Janet

Hi, the cheese only goes on top, as seen in the recipe and accompanying video!

jo@jocooks.com
jo@jocooks.com
January 22, 2015 12:08 pm

I love to bake and in all my baking over the years, I’ve never made focaccia! Yours looks amazing, those colors, I need to make this soon!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 22, 2015 3:11 pm
Reply to  jo@jocooks.com

I LOVE your blog Jo! Thanks for stopping by!

Allie Roomberg
Allie Roomberg
December 31, 2014 2:03 pm

Sounds like you had a really fun Christmas! This bread must have been a huge hit. I bake all the time but bread/yeast has always scared me. This looks totally do-able though! Loving all that cheese! :D

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 31, 2014 2:15 pm
Reply to  Allie Roomberg

Thanks for stopping by Allie! I LOVE your blog/photos. Happy New Year!

Susie Gall aka: Mom
Susie Gall aka: Mom
December 30, 2014 2:31 pm

Thank you for each one of your sweet comments. Dad and I are still reeling about Harper, aka: The Stealth Bandit, serving herself three helpings of the most tender steak that ever graced our table. Oh well, it was Christmas for her too. By the way, she also helped herself to the leftover focaccia before dad and I could get another bite.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 30, 2014 4:25 pm

OH MY GOODNESS!!! That scamp! Thanks again for the great weekend :)