Gluten-Free Focaccia (2024)

Enjoy the best gluten-free focaccia bread with a recipe so good, you won’t believe how quick and easy this authentic rosemary Italian bread is to make, with a simple adaptation for dairy-free or vegan focaccia bread!

gluten-free focaccia recipe

If you are looking for not only the best gluten-free focaccia bread, but one that is simple and easy to make, bookmark, share, and print this recipe!

Previously this recipe was available exclusively in my gluten-free cookbook, Frugal Gluten-Free Cooking. It’s a signature recipe because it’s effortless to make, the ingredients are affordable, and it replicates a formally beloved recipe in identical fashion!

Simply dump and mix the focaccia dough ingredients, spread in a prepared pan, and let it rest for one quick rise while the oven preheats. Just like gluten-free breadsticks or pillowy soft gluten-free rolls, you can enjoy, hot doughy gluten-free focaccia in less than a hour!

To make the ultimate Italian meal, pair it with gluten-free lasagna, spaghetti and gluten-free meatballs, or gluten-free gnocchi!

Ingredient Notes

When making gluten-free bread recipes I prefer to keep the ingredients simple and affordable by using standard kitchen staples, like these below.

• Gluten-free flour – When testing this recipe, I experimented with many popular gluten-free all purpose flour blends that contain xanthan gum. While some may be more widely available, or slightly cheaper, Cup4Cup gluten-free flour proves to be the best in terms of replicating taste and texture. This flour yields the softest results, which is why I use it exclusively for this highly-reviewed gluten-free bread recipe as well.
• Milk – For a dairy-free or vegan focaccia recipe, simply replace the milk with a non-dairy milk alternative
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – A crucial ingredient when making focaccia for the crispy bottom crust and authentic Italian flavor. Olive oil is used in the bread dough for moisture, and coats the top plus bottom crusts.
• Rosemary – A classic topping for focaccia. Use fresh rosemary for best flavor, or dried works as well. For gluten-free rosemary bread add 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary to the dough and sprinkle additional on top.
• Yeast – Since this bread has such a short rise, use active dry yeast with a combination of baking powder to lift the bread while baking as well. If using instant yeast, it can be added directly to the dry ingredients and skip the step of adding it to the flour first.
• Optional toppings – freshly grated Parmesan cheese, flaky sea salt, freshly ground pepper, or see more toppings below!

how to make gluten-free focaccia bread recipe

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

1. Combine water and milk in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat for 1 minute, or until lukewarm and reaches the temperature of 110ºF. Sprinkle with yeast and stir with a fork. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt on low speed until combined. Add the warm water mixture and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Mix on low speed for 1 minute to combine. Increase speed to medium high and beat for 6 minutes. Batter will be thick, yet pourable.
4. Generously coat the bottom of a 10” cast iron skillet, or 9” cake pan, with olive oil. Swirl the oil around the bottom and sides evenly. Spread the focaccia batter into the prepared pan and smooth evenly in pan. Drizzle more olive oil on the top and smooth top with fingers. Press a finger down firmly all over to make indentations. Sprinkle the top with more kosher salt (or flaky sea salt, as pictured) and rosemary. Set aside, uncovered, for 30 minutes, and preheat the oven to 350ºF.
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with optional parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then use a spatula to gently lift out of the pan to slice and serve, or cool completely on a wire rack.

recommended gluten-free flour

best type of pan to use

Use a 10″ cast iron skillet or 9″ cake pan. Typically focaccia bread is shaped on a baking sheet or 9 X 13 inch pan.

Since gluten-free focaccia dough isn’t sturdy or elastic enough to knead and shape, a round pan fits the dough perfectly and prevents it from overspreading.

dairy-free vegan modifications

Since there are no eggs or butter in this recipe, it is quite simple to transform this into a vegan recipe as well! Simply replace the milk with with a dairy-free milk alternative. The rest remaining ingredients are safe for a dairy-free or vegan diet, but read the ingredient label on your gluten-free flour blend.

storing and freezing

For best results, enjoy focaccia on the day it is made. Luckily, since this recipe doesn’t take long to prepare, it can easily be done in a hour!

If you would like to make the focaccia ahead of time, it is very freezer friendly. Be sure the bread has cooled completely, several hours, before wrapping to freeze. For best results I recommend freezing before slicing, but you may also wrap individual slices to pull out as needed.

Freeze up to three months, either wrapped in plastic and covered with foil or wrap slices in plastic and place in a ziplock bag. Wrap defrosted slices in a paper towel and heat for 15-20 seconds in the microwave to warm.

To rewarm the entire loaf, place the thawed bread on a baking sheet, cover with foil and heat in a 350ºF oven until crispy and hot, about 10 minutes.

gluten-free focaccia bread toppings

Just like for gluten-free pizza dough, the topping choices are endless! f you desire something besides gluten-free rosemary bread, choose from below. Chopped and sprinkle toppings on before baking or even use different colors and varieties to make focaccia bread art!

• tomatoes or sun dried tomatoes
• fresh rosemary
• olives
• roasted garlic
• asparagus
• caramelized onions
• fresh herbs
• cheeses, such as goat cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, blue cheese or parmesan
• cured meats, such as salami or prosciutto
• roasted red peppers
• sliced pears

best tips and tricks

1. Olive oil is your friend when making focaccia! Make the authentic Italian focaccia by generously greasing the bottom of the skillet, and drizzling plenty on top as well.
2. Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy bottom crust.
3. If adding Parmesan cheese to the top, have it grated and ready to go as you pull the bread out of the oven. Sprinkle on immediately so the cheese melts and sticks to the top of the bread.
4. Use the bread dough to make make a variety of flavors. See some of the suggested toppings above to mix in the dough or sprinkle on top before rising and baking.
5. If you would like to use this recipe to make gluten-free focaccia bread sandwiches, bake the dough in a 11 X 7 inch pan, then slice in large squares.

Click here to see thestep-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

SAVE THIS recipe for gluten-free focaccia TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!

Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!

This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policyhere.