With a wonderful flavor, plenty of crisp edge and a soft crumb inside, this lemon thyme focaccia is such a delicious, versatile homemade bread!
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I often think I should make bread a bit more often. I do love the taste when I do, but I often find we don't eat quite enough when it is first made and many kinds don't taste as good after a day to feel worth the effort.
This lemon and thyme focaccia is an exception. We both had a fantastic, fairly huge caprese focaccia sandwich from one of the loaves. Then we had some dipped in oil, and made more sandwiches for the next day. I've also made a half batch sometimes, just to enjoy the flavors.
Focaccia is a very versatile bread to make as you can dress it up simple like this, or with more extravagant toppings. Aromatic flavors work really well, which is why lemon and thyme seemed a good choice, and it was.
The recipe makes two small loaves, each one big enough for around 2-3 good-sized sandwiches. It's also good in chunks alongside soup, or simply dipped in good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar to nibble with cheese or whatever else you fancy.
I've made the loaves a bit smaller than some you see and crisper, too. Personally, we really like it this way rather than the very big, super-soft loaves, but it's all a personal preference.
How to make lemon thyme focaccia
While it takes a bit of time to make as with most breads, most of that is letting it rise. So there's plenty of time in between to do other things, you just need to keep an eye on it.
Some focaccia recipes use just plain, all purpose flour but others use bread flour, sometimes partly with semolina flour as well. I have tried it both ways with this recipe and like both, so really make as you prefer.
I have written it as plain (all purpose) flour since that's probably what most people have and it works well.
Top tips
Make sure you don't forget to make some dimples in the top before baking and drizzle it with a good olive oil and sprinkle on a little salt. This is part of what distinguishes a focaccia from other breads. That oil works its way in to the bread and helps give that lovely crust.
When baking, do check after around 15 minutes as it may cook a bit quicker depending on your oven. Focaccia is a relatively thin loaf so it doesn't take long to bake, and the result is lots of nice crispy crust as well.
Focaccia to me always feels like a more summery bread, probably as I like to enjoy it either with very Mediterranean fillings as a sandwich or dipped in a good olive oil, both of which I associate with warmer climates. But you can have many seasonal twists, like like spring-like asparagus and red onion focaccia.
When I made this we had some delicious caprese focaccia sandwiches with it, spread with homemade pesto and filled with fresh mozzarella, tomato and prosciutto on some as well.
If you're tempted to make fresh bread, and like one with a good flavor and lots of crusty edge, this lemon thyme focaccia is a must make. Easy, so tasty and perfect for nibbling, dipping, and sandwich-making. Believe me, you want to try it.
Like making bread? Try these other tasty recipes:
- Japanese milk bread
- Sourdough rye bread
- Spelt rolls
- Fig and walnut bread
- No knead olive oil rosemary bread
- Plus I love the sound of Karen of Karen's Kitchen Stories BLT focaccia.
- And get more side dishes in the archives.
Lemon thyme focaccia
Ingredients
- ¼ oz dried active yeast 1 packet (or can use instant yeast, added with flour)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 ½ cup water lukewarm
- 3 ½ cups all purpose flour plain flour
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- ¼ cup olive oil (for dough)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped, plus more for top, or approx ½ teaspoon dry
- ½ lemon zest ie zest from ½ lemon or 1 if small
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for drizzling before baking, or a little more as needed)
Instructions
- Mix yeast, sugar and water so that the sugar and yeast dissolve then allow to sit until the mixture bubbles, around 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mIx flours, half the salt, thyme, lemon zest and once bubbled-up, add the yeast water and oil. Mix to combine, tip out onto a floured surface and knead for around 5 minutes (stretching the dough out, folding over, turning 90 degrees and repeating) until the dough is no longer sticky.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, put the dough in and leave to prove for around 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
- Tip out the dough, press down to take out the air, divide in two (if you want two loaves, as I'd suggest) and stretch them out relatively flat. Form slightly as you prefer. You can also form directly on the baking sheet/tray.
- Lay on oiled baking sheet/tray(s), either tossing in the oil or drizzling a little more on top to get on both sides. Allow to rise again for around 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425F/210C.
- Make finger marks on top, sprinkle on some more thyme, and the rest of the salt, and drizzle over a little more oil so it sits in the dimples.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes until golden on top and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow to cool a few minutes before cutting.
Video
Nutrition
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Grace says
Hi, your ingredients list 1/4 cup olive oil for the dough, but I don’t see a step in the instructions to mix in the oil? Is it to be mixed in when the yeast water is added to the dry ingredients? Thanks in advance! 😊
Caroline says
Yes that's right, with the yeast water - not sure why it was missing so have updated, thanks for the spot!
Chris-27 says
The bread looks great! I have a question about the yeast: The recipe says 3/4 ounce of dried yeast, or one envelope. I looked up a conversion table, and it says 3/4 ounce is 2 T. One envelope is 2-1/4 t. I'm guessing the latter?
Caroline's Cooking says
Yes, apologies I see it was written as 3/4oz but it should have been 1/4 which yes is 2 1/4tsp (1 envelope). I've now updated the recipe. Enjoy!
Chris-27 says
This makes excellent focaccia, and is much easier than the previous recipe I was using! I'm going to "take it on the road," now, and have my granddaughters make a batch. The challenge will be to convince the 4 y/o that "dimples" do not need to go to the bottom on the pan.
Caroline's Cooking says
Glad to hear you enjoyed! And yes know those kind of unexpected challenges with little ones 🙂 But sometimes it's worth the odd messy bread for them to enjoy.
Sonila says
Lemon & thyme combination sounds delicious. I've always wanted to make focaccia but thought it must be too complicated. you make it sounds so easy. Thank you
Caroline's Cooking says
It's really easier than you might think, and these flavors are so good together in there.
Tawnie Kroll says
lemon and thyme sounds amazing together!
Caroline's Cooking says
It's a really tasty combination.
kelsey says
Yum! I've been traveling through Italy and I'll have to try this recipe to try make some focaccia of my own when I get home. It looks gorgeous.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Kelsey, that must be a fantastic experience, a great place to try some amazing food! And I hope this recipe helps you reminisce when you are home.
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
I love foccacia and make it regularly, I've never thought to try putting lemon in the dough though - what a fantastic idea!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Hannah, it is a lovely flavor to have in there, so I would recommend trying it.
Christine says
You are right - this is a perfect summer bread! I wonder if you could infuse the olive oil with lemon too. Yum!
Caroline's Cooking says
I'm sure you could, Christine, and it would be great then drizzled over the cooked bread as well. You are making me think about making some more, and the oil, just thinking about it...
Dini says
This is beautiful Caroline! I made focaccia recently too and it's always so addictive to eat! I've never tried lemon in it though! It must taste so beautiful!! I'm trying that with my next focaccia batch!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Dini. The lemon is subtle but delicious (and smells great as it is cooking) so do give it a try!