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Golden-brown sourdough discard focaccia on a cooling rack, with a crispy crust, flaky sea salt, and rosemary, steaming fresh from the oven.

Sourdough Discard Focaccia: 5 Ways to Master This Recipe

Camellia
Discover 5 easy and proven techniques to bake the perfect sourdough discard focaccia. From fluffy texture to crispy edges, elevate your bread game today!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
4 heurs 5 hours 40 minutes
Course "bread"
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 slices
Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Sourdough Discard: 200g of 100% hydration sourdough discard adds moisture and flavor.
  • Flour: All-purpose or Italian 00 flour works perfectly for a light and airy texture.
  • Olive Oil:To create a truly authentic focaccia with its signature crispy crust extra virgin olive oil is absolutely essential.
  • Salt: Fine salt for the dough and flaky sea salt for sprinkling.
  • Yeast: While sourdough discard adds flavor a small amount of yeast ensures a consistent rise, especially if your discard isn’t very active.

Instructions
 

  • Activate the Yeast: Mix 10g of fresh yeast (or 5g of dry yeast) with 50ml of warm water and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
  • Combine Ingredients: Mix 500g flour in a large bowl, 200g sourdough, discard the activated yeast, 300 ml warm water, and 10g salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  • Knead: Knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • First, place the dough into a bowl lightly brushed with oil. Next, cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise for 4–6 hours at room temperature, or refrigerate it overnight to develop a more complex flavor profile.
  • After the first rise, Using a gentle touch, deflate the dough to release any excess air, and transfer it to a baking tray thoroughly coated with oil. Spread it out evenly into a rectangle about 2cm thick.
  • Cover and let it rise again for 1-2 hours until puffy and doubled in size.
  • Use oiled fingers to create dimples across the surface of the dough. This is a signature look of focaccia.
  • Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with flaky salt, and add any desired toppings, such as rosemary, olives, or cherry tomatoes.
  • Set your oven to preheat at 220°C (425°F).
  • Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
  • Let it cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

Additional Tips for Perfect Sourdough Discard Focaccia
  • Customization: To enhance the flavors, feel free to add toppings like cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted garlic, or cheese (feta or grated parmesan). For a unique twist, you can also experiment with sweet ingredients such as figs or honey.
  • Storage: Focaccia is best enjoyed fresh, For leftovers, use foil or an airtight bag and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. To extend its shelf life, freeze individual portions and reheat them in an oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes.
  • For Optimal Texture: Extra virgin olive oil is essential for achieving the rich flavor and golden, crispy crust that makes focaccia so special. Don’t hesitate to generously apply the oil on top before baking for an even more flavorful result.