• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fearless Dining
  • New to GF? Start Here
  • GF Resources
    • Safe Gluten Free Dining Tips
  • Recipes
  • GF Cookbooks
    • Pantry
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • New to GF? Start Here!
  • Recipe Index
  • Check Out My Gluten Free Cookbooks!
  • Gluten Free Dining Tips
  • About Fearless Dining
  • Contact Me
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Bread Recipes

    Gluten Free Focaccia Bread {Dairy-Free Too!}

    Published: Jan 22, 2018 · Modified: Feb 17, 2022 by Sandi Gaertner · 18 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    a pinterest collage of focaccia photos

    This gluten free focaccia bread recipe is going to knock your socks off! It is not only perfect for dipping into seasoned oil, but it also makes delicious gluten free Italian bread to serve with any meal.

    slices of gluten free focaccia bread on a cutting board
    Jump to:
    • Why you need to try this recipe:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • How to make gluten free focaccia:
    • Topping ideas:
    • Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • How to store gluten free focaccia bread:
    • User reviews:
    • More gluten free bread recipes:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    I have been thinking about this gluten free focaccia recipe quite a bit lately! Maybe obsessing is more accurate. There is something about that slightly chewy bread topped baked with cheese and herbs that I have been missing.

    You can add any toppings, veggies, fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese...anything you like! This homemade gluten free focaccia recipe is made to be customized! It is dairy-free too so anyone can enjoy it!

    Focaccia is a bread that is popular in Italy. It is most often served with flavored oils to dip the bread into. This gluten free Italian bread is easy to make!

    If you are looking for a delicious homemade gluten free focaccia recipe to try, this recipe will not disappoint!

    Why you need to try this recipe:

    Not only is this fluffy gluten free focaccia easy to make, but it is also very versatile! Many of my readers say this gluten free Italian focaccia recipe makes the best deep dish pizza crust too. If you have craved focaccia, this is the recipe you need to make.

    You can make this gf focaccia bread in a skillet as I show in the video instructions, or make it a more traditional style baked on a sheet pan. Both baking methods are so easy!

    If you use this as a pizza crust, top it with my homemade gluten free pizza sauce!

    wedge shaped pieces of gluten free focaccia next to a dipping oil bowl

    Ingredient notes:

    gluten free focaccia bread ingredients
    • Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Bob's 1 to 1 GF Blend and Cup4Cup. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours. Cup4Cup performed the best in rising. Bob's rose, but not as much.
    • Xanthan gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
    • Dry yeast - you could also use ½ cup gluten free sourdough, but the rise time will need to be a lot longer. Red Star Platinum is NOT gluten free!
    • Honey - you can also use sugar to feed the yeast if you don't have honey on-hand.
    • Olive oil - I like to use extra virgin olive oil
    • Toppings like fresh herbs, caramelized onion, sun-dried tomato, and cheeses like parmesan, asiago.

    How to make gluten free focaccia:

    First and most important, check the expiration date of your yeast!

    Prep the yeast in a glass bowl. Heat the almond milk so that it is lukewarm. Make sure the temperature is no warmer than 110º F. Add yeast, oil, and honey to the almond milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy with bubbles.

    Yeast Tip: Be sure you do not heat the milk too hot or it will kill your yeast!

    photos of steps 1 and 2 to make the focaccia

    Step 1: Add the gluten free flour, baking powder, and salt to a bowl and whisk to blend. Add eggs to the yeast liquid mixture and mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

    To measure your gluten free flour, I recommend using the spoon method or leveling method. In a perfect world, people weigh their flour, but most do not own a kitchen scale. To make a scale even trickier, every gluten free flour blend has a different weight.

    Put the measuring scoop into the flour and fill. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour.

    You can also use a spoon to fill the measuring cup. Use a knife to level along the top to remove the extra flour.

    Step 2: Place your dough onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Press into a circle shape. Dust the dough with gluten free flour blend. The dough may be a little bit sticky, but that is okay for the rise.

    *If you are using a cast-iron skillet as I did in the video, press the dough into a greased skillet and allow it to rise in the skillet.

    Rising Tips:

    Getting gluten free dough to rise can be tricky, especially in the colder months. When the kitchen is colder, I like to preheat my oven to 200º F, then turn it off. Cover the rising bowl with plastic wrap and put the bowl into the oven. Keep the door cracked open and allow the dough to rise.

    In the summer, I place the covered bowl in a sunny spot next to my kitchen window to rise.

    photos of steps 3 and 4 to make focaccia

    Step 3: After letting your dough rise for an hour, dust it with more flour and press to ¼ to ½ inch thickness oval or rectangle.

    This is what your dough should look like. Your dough should have a similar consistency to this dough.

    Step 4: Press your finger into the dough to make little dimples. These dimples are really important because they create delicious pockets for the olive oil and toppings and add to the flavor to infuse into the focaccia bread.

    photos of steps 5 and 6 making focaccia bread

    Step 5: Brush olive oil combined with your favorite seasonings over the gluten free focaccia dough. See below for some tasty ideas!

    *Note, in the cast iron skillet version, I didn't brush the seasoned oil over the dough. In hindsight, I wish I did and I recommend that you do this step!

    Step 6: Bake the focaccia at 375º F for 20-25 minutes, depending on how thick you pressed the dough. Remove from the oven and allow cooling before slicing. Slice the focaccia with a serrated knife or pizza cutter.

    freshly baked gluten free focaccia on a cookie sheet with slices

    Topping ideas:

    • Add garlic for a gluten free garlic bread focaccia
    • You can add your favorite fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Herbed focaccia bread is great with a bowl of hot soup! We love baking and cooking recipes with fresh herbs.
    • Try sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
    • Top with some caramelized onions.
    • Top with cheese. Here are my favorites: asiago, parmesan, or another hard cheese you like

    If you love this recipe with toppings, wait until you try my Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe!

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    What do you eat focaccia bread with?

    This gluten free focaccia can be dipped in herb-seasoned oils, pasta sauces, stews, or even used as sandwich bread.

    How do you know when the focaccia is baked?

    The bread will be firm to the touch and golden in color. You can insert a toothpick into the middle. If the toothpick comes back clean, the focaccia is done baking. If you see crumbs or dough, it needs to bake longer.

    Can you bake this bread in a different pan?

    You can bake this in any pan or on a sheet pan. An 8x8 square pan also works well.

    Can you make use of this gluten free focaccia bread recipe as pizza crust?

    This focaccia recipe makes the BEST thick crust gluten free pizza EVER! Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings.

    How long will this bread keep?

    This bread will keep up to 3 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

    Is yeast gluten free?

    Most yeast is gluten free but please note Red Star Platinum is NOT gluten free!

    Can you make this focaccia with a sourdough starter?

    Yes! You can definitely use a sourdough starter to make this recipe. You will need a longer rise time. If you want to learn more about making a gluten free sourdough starter I have a great tutorial.

    Does focaccia bread have dairy?

    My easy focaccia bread recipe has no dairy unless you choose to sprinkle parmesan or another cheese on top of the bread.

    Can you make gluten free focaccia bread with King Arthur gluten free flour?

    You can make this gluten free focaccia bread recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure blend but it will not rise quite as much as another flour blend. King Arthur states on their package not to use their flour with yeast recipes. You can easily use the King Arthur All Purpose Gluten Free Flour with no xanthan gum in this recipe.

    Is this focaccia recipe vegan?

    This recipe is not vegan because it uses eggs in the batter.

    How to store gluten free focaccia bread:

    Store this simple gluten free focaccia bread in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. I store it in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling.

    You can also freeze this recipe. Freeze the bread after it has cooled. You can slice it or freeze it whole in a freezer-safe zip-style baggie.

    User reviews:

    "It turned out amazing! I didn't add any spices, but I really didn't need to. Yum"

    Autumn, Facebook user

    I love playing with Sandi's focaccia recipe!!!"

    Krystal, Facebook user
    focaccia bread slices around a small glass bowl of herb infused oil

    More gluten free bread recipes:

    • Gluten Free Sourdough Bread
    • Easy Gluten Free Panettone Bread
    • Gluten Free English Muffins
    • Gluten Free Breadsticks
    • Soft Gluten Free Dinner Rolls (bake in an air fryer or the oven!)

    Recipe

    slices of gluten free focaccia bread on a cutting board

    Gluten Free Focaccia Bread

    Sandi Gaertner
    My homemade gluten free focaccia bread recipe is easy to make and tastes so delicious!
    4.72 from 21 votes
    dairy free allergen icon
    gluten free allergy icon
    nut free allergen icon
    soy free allergy icon
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections Save RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 50 mins
    Cook Time 22 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 12 mins
    Course Gluten Free Bread Recipe
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 111 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cookie sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ¼ cups gluten free flour blend * see note
    • 2 teaspoons dry yeast
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
    • ¾ cup non-dairy milk + 2 TBSP
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions
     

    For the Bread

    • In a large mixing bowl, add all of the dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
    • In a glass bowl, heat the almond milk so that it is lukewarm. (Make sure it is no hotter than 110º F or your yeast may die.)
    • Add yeast, oil, and honey to the almond milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
    • Add eggs to the liquid and mix well.
    • Pour the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix.
    • If making in a cast iron skillet: oil a large cast iron skillet and put the dough in. Spread the dough to cover the bottom of the skillet. Cover with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out.
    • If making this more traditionally, place your dough on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and press into a circle. Cover with plastic wrap.
    • Let the dough rest in the pan for 1 hour.
    • If you are making this on a cookie sheet. Press the dough down to ¼ to ½ inch thickness. Dust the focaccia with gluten free flour blend. Use your fingers to make dimples in the dough.
    • Preheat oven to 375º F.
    • In a small dish, add your chosen toppings to the olive oil and mix. Use a basting brush to spread the oil mixture over the dough.
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and crusty. Baking time will vary slightly depending on how much you press your focaccia dough flat.

    Video

    Notes

    1. I have tested this recipe with Cup4Cup, Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend, and Authentic Foods Multi Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours. Cup4Cup rose the best.
    2.  You can add any toppings you like. Some fun ideas are sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, different cheeses, scallions, etc.
    3. You will know the focaccia bread is finished baking when you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean. If you see crumbs or dough, it will need to bake a little longer.
    4. You can bake this bread in a cast-iron skillet, or on a cookie sheet as specified above.
    5. This bread will keep up to 3 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 111kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 197mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 49IUCalcium: 67mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

    strawberry e-book image

    If you love the recipes you are finding on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free strawberry desserts e-cookbook!)

    *This gluten free focaccia recipe was updated from a post from 2014.

    « Ground Turkey Chili Shakshuka Skillet
    Gluten Free Chocolate Trifle Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth

      July 29, 2020 at 10:11 am

      Sandy
      You know I am a huge fan...
      I feel a bit silly about this question but I am Irish not Italian.
      Is Focaccia a side or like a pizza. How is it best served meal wise?

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        July 29, 2020 at 10:30 am

        Hi Beth. This bread is more of a side, often dipped into pasta sauces, etc. Many also just dip into olive oil with herbs. One girl used it as a pizza crust and it seems to have taken off. I haven't tried this yet, but it sounds really good.

        Reply
    2. Rozelyn DeSagun

      March 11, 2019 at 10:13 am

      Thank you for posting this. I've been looking for a focaccia recipe for months. I can't wait to try this.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        March 11, 2019 at 10:17 am

        I hope you enjoy it Rozelyn 🙂

        Reply
    3. Cathy

      February 28, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      Hi. The recipe doesn’t say how much baking powder nor does it tell you to put the olive oil in the mix. I saw that in the video. How much baking powder does it need?

      Thank you
      Cathy

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        February 28, 2019 at 3:21 pm

        Great catch Cathy, thank you so much. Add one teaspoon to the dry ingredients. The olive oil will go with the wet ingredients.

        Reply
    4. Moe

      April 09, 2018 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      I don't see the Caramelized onions in the recipe? Am I missing something?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        April 09, 2018 at 7:57 pm

        Hi Moe, LOL, that is the battle I had with my onion hating kids. You can add any toppings you like to this focaccia bread. When I remade the recipe to take new pictures, my kids begged me to exclude the onion. I will put a note in the post so people know :-).

        Reply
    5. Carol

      February 15, 2018 at 6:16 am

      Is there a suitable substitute for the eggs? Food allergies are a challenge, for sure!

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        February 15, 2018 at 8:40 am

        Hi Carol, I haven't tested this recipe without eggs. If you do try something like aquafaba or another substitute, please let me know how it works. I am sure it would help other egg free readers.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    A picture of my face standing in front of landscape bushes

    Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. I have created hundreds of delicious family-friendly gluten free recipes with easy step-by-step directions. Many recipes are also dairy-free. A gluten free lifestyle has never been easier!

    More about me →

    Easy Dinner Recipes:

    • Creamy Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce
    • Gluten Free Sausage Meatballs
    • The Best Way to Cook Gluten Free Pasta {No Mushy Pasta!}
    • How to Make Blackened Shrimp Fajitas Tacos
    • Easy Gluten Free Stuffed Peppers
    • Gluten Free Skillet Lasagna

    More Dinner Recipes!

    Trending Gluten Free Recipes:

    • 8 Tasty Ways To Enjoy Shishito Peppers {Easy Recipes}
    • The Best Gluten Free Blueberry Scones
    • Proposition Chicken's Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe
    • Quick & Easy Air Fryer Cod
    • Sweet Gluten Free Apple Fritters
    • The Best Flaky Gluten Free Biscuits

    Click for more Trending Recipes.

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2014-2022 Fearless Dining