The Easiest Most Delicious Focaccia Pizza Recipe
This recipe guides you through making a delicious focaccia pizza from scratch, combining the soft, airy texture of focaccia bread with classic pizza toppings like mozzarella, pepperoni, and seasoned ricotta for a flavorful and easy homemade meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Focaccia:
- 4 3/4 cups (570 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) fine sea salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast
- 2 cups (452 grams) warm water
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (21 grams) honey
For the Pizza:
- 1 12-ounce jar pizza sauce (recommended: RAO’s brand)
- 2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Thick-sliced pepperoni, amount to taste
- 1 cup (8 ounces) whole milk ricotta cheese, seasoned with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water with the active dry yeast and honey. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour and fine sea salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Then add olive oil and knead the dough either in the bowl or on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Generously oil a baking sheet or a large pizza pan. Transfer the risen dough to this pan and gently stretch or press it to fit the pan, creating a thick focaccia base. Let it rest for an additional 20 minutes to puff up slightly.
- Add the Toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the focaccia dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. Place thick slices of pepperoni on top, then dollop spoonfuls of the seasoned ricotta cheese evenly across the pizza.
- Bake: Bake the focaccia pizza in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Slice and serve warm, enjoying the perfect combination of soft focaccia crust and classic pizza flavors.
Notes
- Make sure your water is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Season the ricotta with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano to enhance the flavor.
- Allowing the dough to rest after shaping helps achieve a fluffier focaccia base.
- You can customize toppings based on your preference for a personalized pizza.
- Use a well-oiled pan to prevent sticking and promote a crispy bottom crust.
Keywords: focaccia pizza, homemade pizza, easy pizza recipe, Italian focaccia, pepperoni pizza, ricotta pizza