Pesto focaccia. In the mood for a savory focaccia bursting with flavor? Then this pesto and cheese focaccia is just the thing for you! The soft interior, crispy crust, and combination of pesto and Parmesan cheese make this an irresistible treat.
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Why this Recipe Works
This pesto focaccia is just a little different from a classic focaccia. The combination of pesto and cheese makes it even tastier, you won’t be able to stop eating it 😉 .
Homemade Focaccia
The great thing about focaccia is that you get a wonderful result with just a few simple ingredients. You don’t have to be an experienced baker: with a little time (for rising) and a bit of love, you can put this cheese pesto focaccia on the table with minimal effort.
I make this dough without kneading it for long, but I use the stretch & fold technique, after which it gets to rest in the fridge overnight. The next day, you pour the dough into a greased baking pan, let it rise for another 2 hours, spread the pesto and cheese on top, and bake it until golden brown.
The result: a fragrant pesto cheese focaccia that’s soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, with that delicious topping of pesto and cheese. Another delicious bread recipe, is this easy bread with an Italian twist, my recipe for sourdough ciabatta.
Focaccia with Pesto and Cheese
Whether you serve it warm from the oven or eat it cold later on, this focaccia is always delicious. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or just to enjoy on its own. I prefer to eat it with a bowl of soup. Check out all my soup recipes for delicious inspiration!
Cheese Pesto Focaccia
There’s a clear difference between focaccia and other breads. Focaccia is often lighter, richer in olive oil, and has a thinner, crispier crust. The dough isn’t shaped as tightly; it’s flat and develops those characteristic dimples, where ingredients like olive oil, herbs, or pesto stay put.
Got a taste for it? Then take a look at all my bread recipes. Of course, I also have the basic recipe for focaccia if you’d rather make a classic version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Sure, you can add bacon bits, sausage or shredded chicken when you add the cheese and pesto.
How long does the focaccia last?
Baked focaccia lasts for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.
What are stretch and folds?
Grasp one side of the dough with damp hands, gently pull it up, and fold it back toward the center. Rotate the bowl 90 degrees and repeat this three more times, so that you have folded all four sides.
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Ingredients
- 425 ml lukewarm water
- 1 tsp yeast (approx. 4 grams)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 500 gram Italian flour (12% protein)
- Olive oil
- 4 tbsp pesto
- 50 gram Parmesan cheese (grated)
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Plastic wrap
- Baking dish
INSTRUCTIONS (how to make this recipe):
- Combine the water with the yeast, honey, olive oil, and salt in a large bowl. Mix well with a whisk.
- Add the flour and use a wooden spoon to mix until no dry flour remains. Use the spoon to form the mixture into a rough dough.
- Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let rest for half an hour.
- Then perform 4 stretch and folds*, let the dough rest covered for 15 minutes, and then do another round of stretch and folds (this strengthens the dough and aids gluten development).
- Turn the ball of dough over so the smooth side is facing up, drizzle olive oil over it, and cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel. Place the dough in the refrigerator and let it rest overnight (at least 8 hours).
- The next day, grease a baking pan with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the baking dish, then fold the bottom and top of the dough over each other and flip it over. Cover and let it rise for another 2 hours at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius / 428 Fahrenheit with top and bottom heat.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the dough and press small holes into it with your fingers. Spread the pesto and Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven until the focaccia is golden brown. Let it cool slightly and enjoy!
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