Air Fryer Focaccia Bread is one of those breads I kept telling myself I’d try and finally did, and now I make it on repeat. Golden on the outside with a soft, airy, chewy crumb inside, dimpled all over, drizzled with olive oil, and finished with flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary on top. Honestly, one of the best things to come out of my air fryer.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a commission. Thank you!
I make this for dinner parties, Sunday dinners, and holiday gatherings when I want a homemade bread that pairs beautifully with soups and salads. It always gets a great reaction when people find out it came from the air fryer. Store leftovers wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze slices for up to one month.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Focaccia Bread with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Making focaccia in the air fryer is easier than you’d think, and I’ll walk you through every step so yours comes out golden, airy, and absolutely perfect.
Activate the Yeast
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the warm water and sugar. I always use my stand mixer for this because the dough hook does all the heavy lifting.
Sprinkle the yeast on top and stir it in. Let it sit for 5 minutes, or until it’s foamy and fragrant. If it doesn’t foam up, your yeast may be old, so start over with a fresh packet.
Mix and Knead the Dough
Add the flour and salt, then mix on low speed until a shaggy dough begins to form. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 5 minutes, until the dough becomes elastic and sticky and starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
Fair warning: the dough is SUPER sticky. A great trick is to drizzle a little olive oil down the sides of the bowl, then use your hands to gently separate it from the bowl once you finish kneading.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
First Rise
Grease a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. I pour mine straight from an oil cruet for easy, mess-free pouring.
Transfer the dough with a spatula, as it’s far too sticky to handle by hand. Turn the dough to coat the sides with oil, then cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let it rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it’s doubled in size.
Shape the Focaccia Dough
Grease a baking dish that fits your air fryer basket, or use 2 to 4 smaller molds, depending on what you have. Rub your hands generously with olive oil, then gently fold the dough in on itself, working around the edges to form a rough ball.
Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and turn it to coat in the oil. Press it out toward the edges of the pan. Let it relax and pull away, then press it back again. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Dimple and Top the Dough
Remove the cover and drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the dough. Rub your hands with olive oil, then use your fingers to press deep indentations into the dough all the way down to the pan. Sprinkle it generously with flaky sea salt and chopped fresh rosemary.
Air Fry the Focaccia
Bake in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy and set. I use my basket-style air fryer for this recipe, and it bakes the focaccia evenly every time.
Keep an eye on it toward the end since air fryers can vary slightly in heat distribution.
Serve and Enjoy
Slice the focaccia and serve it warm straight from the pan. It’s incredible on its own, pulled apart by hand right at the table. Enjoy!
If you’re bringing it somewhere, let it cool completely first, then wrap it tightly in foil or slide it into a large zip-top bag. An insulated casserole carrier keeps it flat and protected for transport without squishing the top.
Air Fryer Focaccia Bread
Add Preferred SourceEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil plus more for your hands
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
- Chopped fresh rosemary for sprinkling
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, start over with fresh yeast.1 ¾ cups warm water, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
- Add the flour and salt, and mix on low until a shaggy dough forms. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 5 minutes, until the dough is elastic and sticky, pulling away from the sides of the bowl. This dough is SUPER STICKY, one trick is to add olive oil to the sides of the dough and with your hands start separating it from the mold once you finish kneading.4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt
- Grease a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Transfer the dough using a spatula—it’s too sticky to handle by hand. Coat the dough with any oil on the sides. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Grease a baking dish that fits the air fryer basket or 2-4 smaller molds. Uncover the dough and rub your hands with olive oil. Gently fold the dough in on itself, working around the edges to form a rough ball.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, turning to coat in the oil. Press the dough to the edges of the pan. Let it relax and pull away from the edges, then press it back to the edges. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Remove the cover, and drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Rub your hands with olive oil, then use your fingers to make indentations in the dough, pressing through to the pan. Sprinkle it with sea salt, garlic, and rosemary, if desired.Flaky sea salt, Chopped fresh rosemary, 6 tablespoons olive oil
- Bake in the air fryer at 400ºF (200°C) for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Check your yeast first: If the yeast doesn’t foam after 5 minutes, it’s dead, and the dough won’t rise. Always start with fresh yeast and warm (not hot) water to get that foam going.
- Embrace the sticky dough: Don’t be tempted to add more flour to make the dough easier to handle. The stickiness is what gives focaccia its open, airy crumb. Olive oil on your hands and a spatula is your best friend here.
- Don’t rush the rises: Both rise times matter. The first 1 to 1 ½ hours and the second 45-minute rise give the dough its light, pillowy structure. Skipping or cutting them short will result in denser bread.
- Press the dimples all the way down: When you make the finger indentations before baking, press all the way to the bottom of the pan firmly. Shallow dimples disappear during baking, and deep ones are what hold those olive oil pools that flavor every bite.
- Use good olive oil: Since olive oil is a main ingredient and a topping, its quality really comes through in the final bread. A good extra virgin olive oil makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Flash freeze for longer storage: If you want to freeze multiple slices without them sticking together, lay them on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour before transferring to freezer bags. They’ll stay separate and be easy to grab one at a time.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Once the focaccia has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month.
To reheat, pop a slice back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and the crust crisps back up. You can also reheat it in a regular oven at 375°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that crust texture.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Focaccia Bread
It’s one of those breads that works with almost everything on the table. It’s wonderful alongside a big bowl of tomato soup, a hearty minestrone, or a simple green salad with balsamic dressing. You can also serve it with a generous smear of whipped ricotta or alongside a charcuterie board for an appetizer spread everyone will pull apart piece by piece.
It also makes an incredible base for sandwiches the next day. Slice it horizontally, layer in your favorite fillings, and the olive oil-rich crumb soaks up every flavor beautifully. Whether it’s alongside a bowl of good olive oil for dipping or a simple protein like grilled chicken, it genuinely never goes to waste.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are more easy air fryer recipes you might like.
