The Fluffiest Breakfast Focaccia Recipe for Sunny Mornings

Crispy, golden breakfast focaccia might just become your new weekend morning obsession.

Soft dough studded with herbs creates a magical canvas for morning flavors.

Italians have long understood the art of turning simple ingredients into culinary magic.

Warm, pillowy bread fresh from the oven promises comfort and satisfaction.

Fragrant rosemary and sea salt dance across the surface, inviting you to break off a piece.

Weekends deserve something special beyond ordinary toast or rushed cereal.

Each bite tells a delicious story of slow mornings and simple pleasures.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute ground sausage with bacon, ham, or chorizo for a different flavor profile.

• How do I know if the dough has risen properly?

The dough should double in size and look puffy with visible air bubbles after about 1 hour of resting at room temperature.

• What if I don't have a 13×9 metal baking pan?

You can use a similar-sized baking dish or sheet pan, but adjust cooking time and watch closely to prevent burning.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace the sausage with sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for a meat-free version.

Why Breakfast Focaccia Is the Perfect Start

• Craft a Breakfast Showstopper: This focaccia transforms an ordinary morning into a gourmet experience with layers of sausage, cheese, and perfectly nestled eggs that make every bite exciting.
• Adaptable Cooking Adventure: Perfect for weekend gatherings, brunch parties, or lazy mornings, this recipe welcomes creativity by allowing variations in toppings and personal preferences.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, home cooks can create a restaurant-quality breakfast that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills.
• One-Pan Wonder: Baked in a single pan, this recipe minimizes kitchen cleanup while delivering a delicious, hearty meal that feeds multiple people without complex preparation techniques.

Ingredients Checklist for Breakfast Focaccia

• Flour: The primary structure and foundation of the focaccia.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
• Yeast: Provides rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Lukewarm Water: Activates the yeast and helps form the dough.

• Ground Sausage, Cheddar Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein to the breakfast focaccia.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Rosemary Leaves: Brings brightness, freshness, and aromatic herbs to the dish.
• Eggs: Provides protein and creates a classic breakfast element with runny yolks.

• Olive Oil: Used for greasing, adding flavor, and helping the dough rise.
• Flaky Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Adds final seasoning and enhances the overall taste profile.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Breakfast Focaccia Bread

Step 1: Create Dough Magic

Pour olive oil into a large bowl. In another bowl, mix flour, kosher salt, and yeast.

Add lukewarm water and blend with a silicone spatula until a soft, wet dough emerges. Transfer dough to the oiled bowl, wrap with plastic, and let it rest at room temperature until it doubles in size, approximately one hour.

Step 2: Sizzle the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground sausage and break into small pieces while cooking until it browns nicely, around 10-12 minutes.

Move cooked sausage to a plate and keep the pan’s remaining oil.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Surface

Turn oven to 450F (230C).

Grease a 13 x 9 metal pan with olive oil and reserved sausage oil.

Step 4: Layer the Deliciousness

• Half of risen dough
• Cooked sausage
• Shredded cheddar
• Remaining dough
• Additional sausage
• Cheese
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Chopped rosemary leaves

Spread ingredients evenly across the pan, pressing dough into corners.

Step 5: Create Egg Nests

Poke 6 indentations into the dough. Crack an egg into each hole.

Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven.

Rotate halfway through cooking. Bake 23-28 minutes until dough turns golden and puffy.

Egg whites should set while yolks remain slightly runny. Adjust time for desired egg doneness.

Tips to Bake Breakfast Focaccia Like a Pro

• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area to ensure proper fermentation and maximum volume.
• Adjust baking time based on your preference for egg yolk consistency, watching carefully after 20 minutes.
• Use a well-oiled baking pan and spread oil evenly to guarantee easy removal and crispy bottom crust.
• Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile of the focaccia.
• Distribute sausage and cheese evenly between dough layers for consistent taste and texture in every bite.

Variations to Try With Breakfast Focaccia

• Mediterranean Veggie Focaccia: Replace sausage with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and crumbled feta cheese for a vegetarian version packed with Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Chorizo Breakfast Focaccia: Swap ground sausage for spicy chorizo and add jalapeños for an extra kick of heat and bold flavor profile.
• Smoked Salmon Breakfast Focaccia: Substitute sausage with smoked salmon pieces, swap cheddar for cream cheese, and garnish with fresh dill and capers for an elegant brunch option.
• Ham and Gruyère Breakfast Focaccia: Use diced ham instead of sausage, replace cheddar with nutty Gruyère cheese, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves for a sophisticated breakfast experience.

What to Serve Alongside Breakfast Focaccia Bread

• Pair with Fresh Citrus Morning Juice: Brighten the rich, savory focaccia with a zesty orange or grapefruit juice that cuts through the heavy cheese and sausage flavors, creating a balanced breakfast experience.
• Complement with Herbal Morning Tea: Select a light green tea or chamomile blend that refreshes the palate and provides a gentle counterpoint to the hearty focaccia, enhancing the rosemary and egg notes.
• Match with Crisp White Wine Mimosa: Create a sophisticated morning drink by mixing sparkling wine with fresh orange juice, which adds elegance and complements the sausage and egg protein profile of the focaccia.
• Enhance with Cold Brew Coffee: Serve a smooth, slightly bitter cold brew that provides a robust caffeine kick and cleanses the palate between bites of the rich, layered focaccia.

How to Keep Breakfast Focaccia Fresh Longer

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.

Slice the focaccia into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place focaccia on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy.

For quick reheating, zap individual slices for 30-45 seconds. Add a damp paper towel on top to keep the bread moist and prevent rubbery texture.

Breakfast Focaccia Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Homemade Breakfast Focaccia brings Italian bakery magic straight to morning tables with crispy edges and pillowy centers. Weekend chefs can easily craft this delectable bread loaded with savory herbs and eggs that promise pure breakfast bliss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
• 6 large eggs
• 467 grams (3 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour

Dairy and Cheese:

• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, finely shredded
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Herbs, Vegetables, and Seasonings:

• 3 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 rosemary sprig, leaves plucked, coarsely chopped
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 (1/4-ounce) packet instant yeast
• 440 milliliters (1 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon) lukewarm water
• Flaky sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously oiled large bowl for dough proofing. Whisk flour, kosher salt, and yeast in a separate bowl. Incorporate lukewarm water using a silicone spatula until a wet, shaggy dough emerges. Transfer dough to prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise at room temperature until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté ground sausage, breaking into small crumbles, until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Remove cooked sausage to a plate, reserving pan drippings.
3. Heat oven to 450F (230C). Grease a 13 x 9 metal baking pan with remaining olive oil and sausage drippings.
4. Gently spread half the risen dough across the pan, pressing into corners. Layer with half the sausage and shredded cheddar. Carefully add remaining dough on top, covering the first layer. Distribute remaining sausage, cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped rosemary.
5. Create six wells in the dough using fingertips. Crack an egg into each indentation, seasoning with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Bake focaccia, rotating pan midway through cooking. Monitor at 20 minutes. Continue baking 23-28 minutes until dough puffs golden and egg whites set while maintaining slightly runny yolks. Adjust cooking time for firmer egg preference.

Notes

• Customize egg doneness by adjusting baking time, allowing personal preference for runny or fully set yolks.
• Ensure dough rises properly by placing in warm, draft-free area for consistent texture and optimal rising.
• Replace ground sausage with vegetarian alternatives like crumbled tofu or plant-based sausage for dietary accommodations.
• Create uniform egg wells by pressing fingertips gently and evenly into dough to prevent uneven egg distribution.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 402 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 165 mg