Focaccia Perfection: Air Fryer Style

Focaccia is a traditional Italian bread with a dimpled surface and a light, airy texture. It's typically made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil, and can be flavoured with herbs and other toppings. You can make focaccia in an air fryer, which is quicker and more convenient than baking it in an oven. The air fryer creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior soft and fluffy, and it also ensures even cooking. To make focaccia in an air fryer, you'll need to proof the dough, add toppings, and then cook it in the air fryer for around 10-15 minutes at 350°F/180°C.

Choosing the right flour

The type of flour you choose for your focaccia will impact the texture and taste of your bread. Here are some options to consider:

All-Purpose Flour

All-purpose flour is a versatile option that can be used to make focaccia. It will give you a great bread with a more crumbly texture compared to other types of flour. This flour produces a neutral-flavoured bread that is perfect for making croutons, stuffing, or dipping in soups. If you want a thicker and fluffier loaf, all-purpose flour is a good choice.

Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

If you prefer a softer bread with a nutty finish, whole wheat pastry flour is an excellent option. This flour will give your focaccia a unique flavour and a slightly denser texture. It is perfect for sandwiches, French toast, or as a side with a salad. While it may not rise as much as bread made with all-purpose flour, it still produces a delicious and fluffy loaf.

Bread Flour

Bread flour is ideal if you want a chewier and more structured bread with less crumbs. It will give you a softer loaf than all-purpose flour and will hold moisture better. This flour is perfect for when you want your herbs and other toppings to stand out. Bread flour will give you a taller and fluffier bread due to its higher protein content, which helps the dough hold air bubbles better.

Strong Plain Flour

Strong plain flour is another option for making focaccia. It is a type of flour with a higher gluten content, which gives the dough strength and elasticity. This flour is commonly used in bread-making and will result in a chewy and airy focaccia. It is important to note that strong plain flour may not be suitable for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

When choosing the right flour for your air fryer focaccia, consider the texture and flavour you want to achieve. Each type of flour will give you slightly different results, so feel free to experiment and find the one that best suits your taste and preferences.

Proofing the yeast

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and a small amount of warm water (around 2 tablespoons). The water should be between 105 and 110°F (41-43°C). If it is too hot, it can kill the yeast, and if it is too cold, the yeast may take longer to activate or may not activate at all. You can use a thermometer to check the water temperature if needed. Stir the mixture lightly with a spoon to combine the ingredients.

Step 2: Allow for Activation

Let the yeast mixture sit for a few minutes. You will know that the yeast is activating when you see tiny bubbles forming on the surface. This process can take around 5-10 minutes, but it may happen faster, especially if you are using rapid yeast. If the yeast does not bubble up and activate within this time frame, it may be dead, and you will need to start again with fresh yeast.

Step 3: Combine with Dry Ingredients

Once the yeast has bloomed and activated, it's time to add in the dry ingredients. Add your flour, salt, and any other dry ingredients you are using (such as herbs or spices) to the yeast mixture. Mix everything together until a rough dough starts to form and all the liquid has been absorbed. You can do this with a spoon or a spatula, or you can use your hands if you prefer.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and begin to knead it. Kneading helps to develop the gluten in the dough, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Knead the dough for around 10-15 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, you can add small amounts of flour to your hands and the work surface as needed, but try not to add too much extra flour.

Step 5: First Rise

Place the kneaded dough back into a large bowl and cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot in your kitchen. The time it takes for the dough to double in size can vary depending on the temperature of your environment, but it typically takes around 30-60 minutes.

Step 6: Second Rise (Optional)

After the first rise, you may choose to knead the dough again briefly to remove any air bubbles and then let it rise a second time. This second rise is not always necessary, but it can help to ensure an even fluffier and taller loaf of focaccia. Cover the dough again and let it rise until it doubles in size once more, which should take around 30-40 minutes.

By following these steps, you will successfully proof your yeast and prepare your focaccia dough for cooking in your air fryer. Remember that the rising times can vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen, so keep an eye on your dough and adjust the timing as needed.

Adding toppings

Focaccia is a traditional Italian bread that is often topped with herbs like rosemary and sometimes topped with ingredients like olives, tomatoes, or onions. It can be served as a side dish or appetiser, as a sandwich base, or as a pizza. Here are some tips and suggestions for adding toppings to your focaccia when making it in an air fryer:

• If you want to add herbs to your focaccia, it is better to add them into the dough rather than topping the dough with them, as the herbs will fall off when you flip the dough in the air fryer. You can experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary, bee balm leaves, lavender, catmint, tarragon, or shaved truffles.
• For a healthy addition, try adding flax seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, oats, and crushed nuts to your dough.
• You can also add veggies to your dough, such as sun-dried tomatoes in oil.
• If you want to add toppings to your focaccia before baking it in the air fryer, use toppings like herbs, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, flax seeds, confit garlic, or cheese. Sprinkle your desired toppings over the dough and press them gently into the dough to ensure they adhere during cooking.
• If you are making a focaccia pizza, add your desired toppings to the crust and bake until the toppings are heated through and the crust is golden brown.

Baking the focaccia

Now that your dough has risen and you've added your toppings, it's time to bake your focaccia in the air fryer. Here are the steps you need to follow:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 180°C. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your dough by poking dimples into it with your fingertips. This distinctive dimpled surface is a characteristic of focaccia bread. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with your desired toppings, such as rosemary, sea salt, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or garlic.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the dough in the air fryer basket and set the timer for 10-15 minutes. Check on your focaccia periodically to ensure it doesn't overcook. The bread is done when it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

When the focaccia is cooked to your liking, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer and transfer the bread to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy the delicious, crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior of your freshly baked focaccia!

For a vegan option, you can replace the olive oil with ground flax seeds. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of flour, such as all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, or bread flour, to achieve varying textures and flavours.

Storing and serving the focaccia

Firstly, it's important to let the focaccia cool down before storing it. Leaving it to cool on a wire rack will help prevent it from becoming soggy. Once it has cooled to room temperature, you can then decide on the best storage method.

If you plan to eat your focaccia within a day or two, it's best to store it in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature. This will keep it fresh and help retain its soft texture.

However, if you want to keep it for longer, consider storing it in the refrigerator. Focaccia can be kept in the fridge for up to a week, which is a great option if you want to make a large batch and enjoy it over several days. Just ensure it's in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other flavours from the fridge.

To freeze leftover focaccia, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminium foil before placing it in a freezer bag or container. Frozen focaccia will keep well for up to 1-2 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it at room temperature and warm it up in the air fryer or oven until heated through.

When serving your focaccia, there are endless possibilities! It's a versatile bread that can be served as a snack, a side dish, or as a base for sandwiches. It pairs well with soups, dips, and pasta dishes. For a simple yet delicious option, drizzle some olive oil over your focaccia and sprinkle on some herbs like rosemary or thyme. You can also get creative with toppings such as sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or even grilled vegetables.

If you're feeling adventurous, try using your focaccia as a base for a unique pizza. Top it with your favourite sauce, cheese, and toppings, and pop it back into the air fryer until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

No matter how you choose to serve your air-fryer focaccia, it's sure to be a delicious treat that your friends and family will love!

Frequently asked questions