Create delicious homemade focaccia bread with just three ingredients: store-bought pizza dough, olive oil, and sea salt.
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of fresh bread straight from the oven, but making dough from scratch isn’t always practical. This shortcut focaccia uses store-bought pizza dough so you can enjoy a tender, olive oil–kissed loaf with minimal effort. It’s an ideal recipe for beginners or anyone who bought pizza dough and wants a simple, delicious way to use it.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and easy: One short rise and a straightforward bake make this an uncomplicated bread to prepare.
- Minimal ingredients: Store-bought pizza dough, olive oil, and sea salt are all you need for a flavorful focaccia base.
- Little equipment and cleanup: Shape and proof the dough right on the baking pan—no large bowls or heavy cleanup required.
- Versatile: Add herbs, cheeses, roasted garlic, tomatoes, or other toppings to customize the flavor.
What you’ll need
Ingredients:
Store-bought pizza dough – Any uncooked refrigerated dough will work. If you prefer, use your own homemade dough.
Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil gives the best flavor and helps create a crisp, golden crust.
Sea salt – A sprinkle of flaky sea salt finished on top enhances flavor and texture.
Toppings (optional) – Fresh rosemary, garlic, cherry tomatoes, olives, or cheese are all excellent choices. I used roasted garlic for a mellow, savory note.
Equipment:
A small baking sheet or quarter sheet pan, plastic wrap to cover the dough while it rises, and a pastry brush if you want to spread oil evenly. That’s it.
How to make shortcut focaccia
Step 1: Prepare and shape the dough
Pour about 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto your baking pan and rub it around to coat the surface. Place the pizza dough on the greased pan and start stretching it toward the edges. If the dough is in a bag, turn the bag inside out to remove it easily and avoid tearing.
Step 2: Let the dough rest
Cover the pan with plastic wrap so the dough doesn’t dry out. Leave it in a warm, draft-free spot for about an hour. This brings the dough to room temperature and lets it relax, making it easier to stretch and giving a lighter texture.
Step 3: Stretch, oil, and dimple
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the plastic wrap and stretch the dough a bit more if needed. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil across the surface and use a brush or your fingers to distribute it evenly. Press your fingertips into the dough to create the characteristic deep dimples across the top—these hold pools of oil and toppings.
Step 4: Top and bake
Press any toppings gently into the dimples so they stay in place while baking. Bake the focaccia for about 22–28 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the bottom is crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool 5–10 minutes before slicing. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
FAQs
Yes. Herb- or garlic-infused dough will add extra flavor that complements the focaccia nicely.
Toppings like roasted garlic, cherry tomatoes, olives, fresh rosemary, caramelized onions, or cheeses all work. Add fresh herbs like basil after baking for brightness.
Absolutely. A simple pizza crust or focaccia dough recipe can replace store-bought dough—just be mindful of water temperature when activating yeast.
Some refrigerated doughs freeze well; thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter before using. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance for best results.
Serving suggestions
This focaccia is a great side for soups and grilled or roasted meats, an easy base for a focaccia-style pizza, or simply served warm with olive oil for dipping. It also makes lovely sandwich bread when cooled.
Enjoy!
Happy baking! If you try this recipe, save a note of any favorite toppings or tweaks for next time.
📖 Recipe
Shortcut Focaccia using Pizza Dough
Anne Aslanides
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
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Grease pan with 1 tablespoon oil and place dough on it. Stretch dough as best you can, then cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour.
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove wrap and stretch dough again if needed.
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Drizzle 2–3 tablespoons oil over the top and spread evenly. Use your fingers to dimple the dough across the surface. Add toppings if desired.
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Bake 22–28 minutes until golden brown with slightly crisp edges. Let cool 5–10 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 11 g
Nutrition information is an estimate. Use your preferred calculator if you need precise values for the ingredients you use.