Baking bread at home is a rewarding experience, and this Cheesy Green Onion and Herb Focaccia is the perfect recipe to get you started. It’s a simple, rustic Italian flatbread that’s been elevated with a generous topping of savory mozzarella cheese, fresh green onions, and fragrant herbs. The dough is tender and airy with a light, crisp crust, and the pockets of melted cheese and fresh, vibrant toppings make every bite a delight. This recipe is a testament to the idea that some of the most satisfying foods are made with a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients. The process is straightforward, requiring minimal kneading and a forgiving dough, making it accessible for even the most novice baker. The aroma that will fill your kitchen as this bread bakes is absolutely intoxicating, promising a delicious and comforting meal. Perfect as a side dish for a pasta dinner, an appetizer to share with friends, or simply enjoyed on its own with a drizzle of olive oil, this focaccia is a versatile and deeply satisfying dish that is sure to impress everyone who tries it.

Full Recipe

Ingredients

• For the Focaccia Dough:
• 500 g (about 4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
• 350 ml (about 1 ½ cups) warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for the pan and drizzling
• For the Topping:
• 200 g (about 1 ½ cups) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 bunch fresh green onion, finely chopped
• A handful of fresh herbs, such as parsley, oregano, or basil, to finish

 

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and a pinch of sugar (optional, to activate the yeast). Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2. Mix the Dough: Add the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula until a shaggy, wet dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. The dough will be slightly sticky.
3. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Prepare the Pan: After the first rise, generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with olive oil. This is a crucial step for achieving a crisp bottom crust.
5. Shape the Dough: Gently deflate the risen dough and transfer it to the prepared pan. Use your fingertips to gently press the dough to the edges of the pan, dimpling the surface with your fingers as you go.
6. Second Rise: Cover the pan again and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes. The dough should be light and airy.
7. Add the Toppings: Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F). After the second rise, generously drizzle the top of the dough with more olive oil. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and the chopped fresh green onion evenly over the surface.
8. Bake: Bake at 180°C (360°F) for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Finish and Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with a handful of fresh herbs. Slice into squares and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

 

Nutrients

• Calories per serving: (Varies based on portion size and ingredients)
• Protein: (Varies)
• Fat: (Varies)
• Carbohydrates: (Varies)
• Fiber: (Varies)
• Sodium: (Varies)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There is something truly special about the process of baking bread at home, and this Cheesy Green Onion and Herb Focaccia is the perfect recipe to showcase that magic. You’ll fall in love with it for its simplicity and its incredible flavor. The dough is a dream to work with—soft, forgiving, and requiring very little hands-on effort. Watching it rise and transform into a beautiful, pillowy flatbread is a deeply satisfying experience. But the real star of the show is the topping. The combination of salty, gooey mozzarella, the sharp, fresh bite of green onions, and the aromatic finish of fresh herbs takes this simple bread to a whole new level. It’s a dish that feels rustic and sophisticated all at once. It can be a simple side to a bowl of soup, a flavorful base for a sandwich, or a showstopping appetizer at a dinner party. The aroma that will fill your kitchen as it bakes is simply intoxicating, and the final product is so delicious that you’ll never want to go back to store-bought bread.

 

The Origins and Inspiration Behind the Dish

Focaccia has a rich history that dates back to ancient Rome, where it was known as “panis focacius,” meaning “hearth bread.” It was a simple, flatbread baked over a hearth or in the ashes of a fire, seasoned with just olive oil and salt. This rustic bread was a staple for both the poor and the rich, and its simplicity is what made it so enduring. Over the centuries, focaccia evolved into the version we know and love today, with different regions of Italy adding their own unique twists. Ligurian focaccia, for example, is famous for its crisp, oily crust, while focaccia from Bari is often topped with cherry tomatoes and olives. This particular recipe draws inspiration from that tradition of using simple, fresh toppings to create a flavorful and unique bread. The combination of cheese, green onions, and herbs is a modern take on a classic idea, blending the timeless appeal of a savory flatbread with the familiar comfort of a cheesy bake. It’s a dish that honors its ancient roots while being perfectly suited for today’s home kitchen.

 

Ingredient Spotlight

Each ingredient in this focaccia recipe is chosen for a specific purpose, contributing to the bread’s perfect texture and flavor. The flour is the foundation, and a good quality all-purpose flour works wonderfully, providing the necessary structure. The yeast is the life of the bread, creating the light, airy texture with its tiny pockets of air. The key to working with yeast is using warm (not hot) water, which allows it to activate properly. Olive oil is the heart of focaccia. It’s used in the dough for richness, to coat the pan for a crispy bottom, and as a final drizzle for flavor and a beautiful sheen. Don’t skimp on the olive oil; it is what gives focaccia its signature taste and texture. Mozzarella cheese provides a salty, creamy topping that melts beautifully into the dough, creating delicious, gooey pockets. The green onions add a fresh, slightly pungent flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese and olive oil. Finally, the fresh herbs, like parsley or oregano, are the finishing touch, adding a bright, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish.

 

Storage and Reheating Tips

Focaccia is best enjoyed on the day it is baked, when it is still warm and the crust is at its crispiest. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring it back to its former glory, the best method is to reheat it in a toaster oven or a conventional oven at 180°C (360°F) for about 5-10 minutes. This will revive the crust and warm the toppings, making it taste almost as fresh as when it first came out of the oven. While you can microwave it for a quick warm-up, this often makes the bread soft and chewy rather than crisp. If you have more than you can eat, focaccia freezes surprisingly well. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and it will keep for up to 2 months. To use, thaw it at room temperature and then reheat in the oven as described above.

 

Common Variations to Try

This recipe is a wonderful canvas for creativity, and you can easily customize the toppings to your liking. For a classic Italian flavor, try adding cherry tomatoes and olives to the top. A sprinkle of fresh rosemary and coarse sea salt is another simple and delicious variation. For a different cheese, you could use crumbled feta, grated provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses. If you’re a fan of garlic, try a garlic-infused olive oil or sprinkle some minced garlic over the top before baking. Other vegetables that work well as toppings include thinly sliced red onion, roasted red peppers, or sautéed mushrooms. For a spicy kick, add a few red pepper flakes to the top. You can even make a sweet focaccia by topping it with honey, figs, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and find your own favorite combination.

Pairing Recommendations

Focaccia is a incredibly versatile bread that can be paired with a wide variety of foods. It’s perfect on its own, especially when dipped in a high-quality olive oil with a little balsamic vinegar. As a side dish, it pairs beautifully with Italian classics like pasta with a simple marinara sauce or a bowl of hearty minestrone soup. It’s also a fantastic accompaniment to a charcuterie board or a cheese platter. For a light lunch, you can slice the focaccia horizontally and use it to make sandwiches with ingredients like prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and arugula. It’s also a great base for an appetizer, topped with anything from tapenade to a simple bruschetta. For drinks, a glass of crisp white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio, or a light red wine, like a Sangiovese, would complement the savory flavors perfectly.

Health Benefits

While focaccia is a delicious indulgence, it also offers some surprising health benefits, especially when made at home. The main ingredient, olive oil, is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to be beneficial for heart health. The use of fresh green onions and herbs adds a boost of vitamins and antioxidants to the bread. Green onions, for example, are a good source of Vitamin K and flavonoids. The homemade aspect of this recipe allows you to control the ingredients, so you can use high-quality flour (like a whole wheat option for more fiber), good olive oil, and less salt than many store-bought varieties. When enjoyed in moderation, this focaccia can be a delicious and wholesome part of a balanced diet, proving that some of the best foods are both good for you and a pleasure to eat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Cheesy Green Onion and Herb Focaccia is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to a delicious and rewarding baking journey. It’s a dish that takes the simplicity of a classic Italian flatbread and enhances it with a burst of fresh, savory flavors. The process is a joy, the results are stunning, and the versatility of the bread makes it an indispensable addition to your cooking repertoire. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe offers a perfect combination of ease and elegance. It’s the kind of food that brings people together, fills a home with warmth, and creates memories around the table. So, go ahead and give it a try—your kitchen, and your taste buds, will thank you.