Best Focaccia Bread With Asparagus and Onion (No-Knead)

This easy Vegan Focaccia recipe will revolutionize your bread-making. An easy recipe to make with no kneading required, this homemade focaccia bread is topped with red onion and asparagus and is a vegan focaccia bread recipe worthy of fine Italian restaurants. 

When it comes to homemade bread, many of us steer clear thinking it’s too complicated a task. However, focaccia dough can be very forgiving. I love the flavors used to make this no-knead vegan focaccia. Asparagus and onion are a great combination and match perfectly with this traditional Italian bread. This easy focaccia recipe uses simple ingredients and steps to follow that will help you make different variations once you get the hang of it. If this is your first time making Italian flatbread, this is a good bread recipe to start with. 

Enjoyed as a side to a pasta dish like this Cavolo Nero Pasta, dipped in a flavorsome casserole or soup, like this Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup, or enjoyed on its own with some balsamic vinegar and a little olive oil, one thing is certain: everyone is going to love it!

🧂 Ingredients For Focaccia Bread (With Substitutions)

Dough:

• All-purpose flour – You can also use bread flour. If you want to make this gluten-free then choose your preferred brand, but be mindful that the bread won’t be as light.
• Warm water – An essential agent that works with the yeast.
• Instant yeast – This is an integral ingredient in most bread recipes. You can also use active dry yeast, just be sure you use new yeast for best results. 
• Olive oil – This helps create that golden brown crust.
• Coarse salt – You can also use flaky sea salt.

Topping:

• Olive oil – For best results use extra virgin olive oil. Infused olive oil would also work well such as garlic or chili oil.
• Asparagus stems – fresh work best here. If you love asparagus, try my Vegan Hollandaise Over Grilled Asparagus.
• Red onion – You could also use white or yellow onion if you wish.
• Black pepper – I highly recommend fresh ground black pepper, but any pepper will work
• Coarse salt – Use flaky sea salt as a substitute

Focaccia bread has long been around and is often served as a side dish for other Italian meals. This is one of the best focaccia bread recipes you can try. The focaccia can be ready in under three hours. For best results, you will need to let the dough rest for around two hours. The prep time and the baking time are minimal in comparison.

This is a great prep-ahead recipe. An overnight rise for the dough and in the refrigerator can save you time and effort. It also helps to make that light and fluffy texture, while still maintaining that golden crust when baked. If you fancy giving this easy focaccia bread a try then here is everything you need to know.

🍞 How To Make This Focaccia Bread Recipe

👩🏽‍🍳 Expert Tips

• This delicious vegan focaccia is best enjoyed on the same day it is baked.
• Water should be lukewarm. The temperature should be under 115°F/46 C. If the water is too warm it will kill off the yeast.
• For best results, you should use thicker-stemmed asparagus. Thin asparagus will cook too quickly.
• Serve it with a side of Vegan Béchamel Sauce for an extra special treat.

🍅 Variations

• Season it up – why not add some Italian Seasoning or Vegan Parmesan to the top of the bread? This will add great flavor.
• Sprinkle on some herbs – fresh herbs are also a great addition. Think fresh rosemary or basil to add loads of flavor.  
• Add other vegetables – like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers or mushrooms.  like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers or mushrooms. Black or green olives and caramelized onions will also work. 
• Make a garlic focaccia – add some fresh garlic or garlic-infused olive oil. This would make a great alternative to your standard garlic bread baguette. 

💭 Frequently Asked Questions

Can you overproof your focaccia dough?

Yes, you can! This no-knead focaccia recipe only needs a couple of hours to rest. You can leave it overnight in the refrigerator which does give good results, but any longer and you may weaken the gluten structure within the dough.

Does the focaccia bread need a warm place to rise?

The temperature can speed up the process, so if you leave the dough at room temperature or in a warm room then the yeast mixture will work its magic and help the dough to rise and double in size.

What makes good focaccia?

The secret is the olive oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is what makes focaccia taste so unbelievably delicious. It adds to the texture as well as the flavor of the bread.

🌡️ Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

This focaccia recipe is best enjoyed on the same day. But if you do have any leftovers then make sure you add them to an airtight container. Focaccia bread that is just topped with herbs and olive oil can be stored at room temperature, but as this has other toppings then store it in the refrigerator. It will last up to three days.

If you want to extend the life of your focaccia bread then you can freeze it. To freeze, allow the bread to cool completely, then tightly wrap it in plastic food wrap and place it into a ziplock back with the air squeezed out.

Focaccia bread tastes amazing warmed up. To add a little life back to it drizzle with some olive oil and put it in the oven for a few minutes. Don’t leave it too long as you don’t want to bake it.

🥣 Serving Suggestions

• Cavolo Nero Pasta
• Avocado Pasta
• Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
• Creamy Chickpea Soup

🥐 More Sweet and Savory Bread Recipes

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