Easy Stovetop Focaccia Bread
Are you looking for an easy stovetop focaccia bread recipe that doesn’t require an oven? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re a busy mom, a beginner baker, or someone who just loves homemade bread but doesn’t have access to an oven, this simple recipe is perfect for you. It’s fluffy, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. The best part? You can cook it right on your stovetop!
Focaccia is an Italian flatbread known for its golden crust, airy interior, and beautiful dimpled surface. Typically baked in an oven, this version is tailored to be made entirely on the stove. That means anyone can make it—yes, even if your oven is out of service or you simply don’t want to turn it on during hot weather.
I’ve spent years experimenting with stovetop baking, and this delightful bread has consistently turned out beautifully. I’m sharing this recipe with confidence, knowing that baking it without an oven—right on your stovetop—can work just as well for you too.
This easy stovetop focaccia bread recipe uses simple pantry staples like flour, yeast, water, oil, and salt. You can top it with fresh rosemary for a fragrant finish or keep it plain—it’s delicious either way. It makes an excellent base for sandwiches, pizzas, or a side dish to soups and salads. You can even enjoy it on its own, dipped in olive oil or your favorite spread.
What makes this easy stovetop focaccia bread stand out is how forgiving and adaptable it is. You don’t need a mixer, and there’s no complicated kneading involved. The dough is soft, slightly sticky, and develops a beautiful texture with just a little resting and proofing. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by bread-making or felt limited by the lack of an oven, this easy stovetop focaccia bread will change your mind. It’s a great way to serve fresh, homemade bread that impresses guests and enhances your hospitality—for the glory of God.
In my own kitchen, this bread has become a favorite. As a Christian homemaker, I often look for ways to use food to bless my family and others. Making easy stovetop focaccia bread has allowed me to do just that. It’s quick to put together, doesn’t require specialized equipment, and always turns out soft and delicious. Whether I serve it with soup, use it for sandwiches, or bring it to a potluck, it’s always well received.
This recipe is also perfect for teaching kids how to bake. Because it’s made without an oven, it’s less intimidating and a fun way to introduce children to cooking. Kids will love helping press the dough and create those signature focaccia dimples. The smell that fills the kitchen as it cooks is just divine—and they’re always proud of what they’ve helped make.
If you’re hosting guests or want to make a meal feel extra special, just add a side of this easy stovetop focaccia bread. You’ll find it makes everything feel more homemade, more intentional, and more loving. After all, hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about offering what you have with joy.
So, gather your ingredients and let’s walk through the steps together. You’ll see just how doable this recipe is—and how much fun it is to make.
You can find the video version of this recipe over on our YouTube channel, Recipes and Hospitality with Clara where we share simple, wholesome recipes to encourage godly hospitality right from your kitchen. I’ve linked the video at the end of the post too.
Easy Stovetop Focaccia Bread Recipe (No Oven Needed!)
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons as needed
- 1 Mixing spoon or silicone spatula
- 1 Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap (for covering dough)
- 2 10-inch heavy-bottomed pans with lids (non-stick, cast iron, or stainless steel)
- 1 Small bowl or ramekin (for activating yeast, if needed)
- 1 spoon (for spreading oil)
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps instant yeast
- 1½ tsps salt
- 6 tbsps cooking oil
- Optional: 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
- Slightly less than 2 cups warm water
- 2 tsps margarine or fat for greasing pans
Instructions
Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and instant yeast. Then add the salt (avoid direct contact with yeast initially) and stir again.Tip: If you’re unsure about your yeast’s freshness, activate it in ¼ cup warm water with ½ teaspoon sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. If it foams, it’s good to go!
Add Wet Ingredients and Mix the Dough
- Make a well in the center, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and pour in 1 cup of warm water.Gradually add the rest of the water(up to 1¾ cups total), mixing with a spoon. The dough should be very soft and sticky.Switch to using your hands once the dough starts coming together. Knead briefly just to combine. This sticky, soft dough is perfect for making easy stovetop focaccia bread.
Let the Dough Rest
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 10–20 minutes. This helps the gluten relax and gives a better texture to the bread.
Fold and Proof
- After resting, stretch and fold the dough over itself for about 1 minute. This improves the dough’s structure and makes your easy stovetop focaccia bread even fluffier.Cover again and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour. If your kitchen is cold, place the bowl with the dough over a pot of hot water (not boiling) that you’ve covered with a heavy kitchen towel to create a warm environment.
Prepare the Pans
- Grease two heavy 10-inch pans with 1teaspoon margarine or fat each. Then pour 1 tablespoon of cooking oil into each. You won’t need to dust with flour thanks to the oil.
Divide and Shape
- Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and divide it into two portions. Place each portion into a greased pan. Coat the dough with oil from the pan and press it gently to spread and create dimples using your fingertips. This dimpled look is signature to focaccia.
- Let the dough rest again for 20 minutes.
Add Toppings and Oil
- Sprinkle rosemary evenly on the surface of each dough in the pans if using. Then drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil—1 tablespoon per pan—over the dough surface.You’ve now used all 6 tablespoons of oil: 2 in the dough, 2 in the pans, and 2 on top of the dough.
Prepare and Heat the Pan on the Stove
- Cover the pans and transfer them to your stovetop burners.Preheat the pans by turning the burners on to full flame for about 30 seconds. If using the tiny burners, immediately reduce the flame to its lowest setting.If using a wide burner, don’t reduce to the lowest setting. The lowest setting for a wide burner is too high. It will burn the bread before it’s ready. Instead, reduce the flame as though you are switching off and reduce to a very, very low flame as shown below.
Cook on the Stovetop
- Let the bread cook for 30–40 minutes. Timing depends on how low your flame is.Check for doneness: the top should feel firm, and the bottom should be nicely browned.
Flip to Brown the Top
- Once the bottom is done, gently invert the bread using two clean lids. Flip it over onto the first lid. Flip it again onto the other clean lid to get the top side back up, then gently slide the pan over the focaccia bread to invert it back into the pan.
- Let it cook for another 15–20 minutes to brown the other side.Now your easy stovetop focaccia bread is ready!
Video
Notes
Serving Ideas
This easy stovetop focaccia bread is perfect for:- Sandwiches: Slice horizontally and stuff with your favorite fillings.
- Pizza base: Add toppings and reheat for a few minutes.
- Dipping: Serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Side for soups or salads.
Final Thoughts
Making easy stovetop focaccia bread is a wonderful way to serve homemade bread, even without an oven. Whether you’re preparing breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this bread brings warmth, texture, and flavor to your table. Plus, it’s a great way to bless your family and guests with simple hospitality.
Try it out and see how it elevates your meals. I pray it becomes a regular in your kitchen as it has in mine.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out our delightful No-Oven Basic Bread Recipe here. I’m certain you’ll enjoy it too, plus more recommended simple and delicious meals for your home and hospitality below.
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Thank you for stopping by. Until next time—happy cooking and God bless!
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