Focaccia Barese with Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Why this recipe works
- Potato-enriched dough: Mashed potato helps create the soft, moist crumb associated with focaccia barese.
- Golden base: A generous layer of olive oil on the tray encourages the underside and edges to bake deeply golden.
- Simple, savoury topping: Blistered cherry tomatoes bring sweetness and acidity, while olives add a salty contrast.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Bari-style focaccia: Focaccia barese is associated with Bari and Puglia, where potato in the dough, olive oil, tomatoes and olives are part of its recognisable character.
- Served simply: It is typically cut into squares and eaten warm or at room temperature, making it well suited to lunch, snacks or sharing.
Timing notes
- Watch the dough, not just the clock: Rising times can vary with kitchen temperature; continue when the dough has doubled, then looks puffy after the second rise.
- Let it relax if needed: If the dough springs back while being pressed into the tray, a brief rest makes it easier to stretch without tearing.
- Cool before slicing: A short cooling time helps the crumb settle so the focaccia slices cleanly while staying warm.
Texture tips
- Drain the potato well: Excess water in the mashed potato can make the dough heavy, so let it drain thoroughly before mashing.
- Use oil instead of extra flour: Oil your fingertips when handling the tacky dough; adding more flour can make the finished focaccia dense.
- Bake until deeply golden: The focaccia should have a well-coloured top and base, with the tomatoes blistered and the edges visibly golden.
Make-ahead tips
- Bake ahead: The focaccia can be baked in advance and served at room temperature, which makes it useful for packed lunches or casual gatherings.
- Freeze in slices: Freeze cooled slices well wrapped, then reheat from frozen in the oven until piping hot throughout.
- Refresh before serving: Reheat slices in a 180°C (355°F) oven until warmed through to revive the crust and soften the crumb.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the potato, cut into chunks, and boil in salted water for 12 to 15 minutes until very tender. Drain well, then mash until smooth and let it cool until just warm.
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, yeast and salt. Add the lukewarm water, the mashed potato and 30 ml of the olive oil, then mix with the dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, elastic and slightly tacky.
- Lightly oil a mixing bowl, add the dough, and turn to coat. Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Pour 25 ml of the olive oil onto a baking tray and spread it out. Tip the dough onto the tray and gently press it out towards the corners; if it springs back, rest it for 10 minutes then continue.
- Cover and leave the dough to rise for 30 minutes until puffy. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 220°C (430°F).
- Press your fingertips into the dough to make deep dimples all over. Nestle in the cherry tomatoes and olives, then drizzle over the remaining 20 ml olive oil and sprinkle lightly with a pinch more salt if you like.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until deeply golden and the tomatoes are blistered. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm or at room temperature.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the best texture, make sure the potato is well drained before mashing so the dough does not turn gummy.
- If the dough feels very sticky, oil your fingertips rather than adding extra flour, which can make the focaccia dense.
- If you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, ensure the focaccia is baked until piping hot throughout before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Bread flour with plain flour for a slightly softer, less chewy crumb.
- Replace Black pitted olives with green pitted olives for a brighter, sharper flavour.
- Replace Cherry tomatoes with roma tomato, cut into small wedges, for a less juicy topping.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store cooled focaccia in an airtight container. Reheat slices in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 6 to 8 minutes until warmed through; freeze slices well wrapped for up to 2 months and reheat from frozen in the oven until piping hot.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 2h 30min (30min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Italian
-
Allergens:
Gluten Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Vegetarian Black Bean Quesadilla
Crisp quesadilla with black beans, cheddar and peppers
Tarte Flambée (French Flatbread with Onion and Lardons)
Crisp tarte flambée with onion, lardons and crème fraîche
Tlayuda Oaxaqueña (Oaxacan Crisp Tortilla with Beans and Cheese)
Crisp tlayuda topped with beans, Oaxaca cheese, cabbage and avocado
Chole Bhature (Spiced Chickpeas with Fried Bread)
Spiced chickpeas with puffed fried bread made with yoghurt
Tarte Flambée (Alsatian Flatbread with Mushrooms and Lardons)
Alsatian flatbread with crème fraîche, mushrooms, lardons and onion
Sarson da Saag with Makki di Roti (Mustard Greens Curry and Maize Flatbread)
Mustard greens and spinach curry served with maize flatbread
Sauerkraut Soup with Smoked Pork (Sauerkrautsuppe mit Kassler)
Tangy sauerkraut soup with smoked pork and potatoes
Matar Paneer (Paneer and Pea Curry)
Paneer and peas simmered in a spiced tomato-onion gravy
Ratatouille Tart with Goat’s Cheese
Puff pastry tart with ratatouille vegetables and goat's cheese
Piri-Piri Veggie Bowl
Roasted veg and piri-piri chickpeas over brown rice
Crab Poke Bowl
Crab poke bowl with sushi rice, avocado and cucumber.
Salade de Lentilles du Puy (French Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing)
Warm French lentil salad with mustard dressing, shallot and parsley
Focaccia Barese (Olive Oil Flatbread with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives)
Focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and olives
Focaccia Barese (Potato Focaccia with Tomatoes and Olives)
Soft potato focaccia topped with tomatoes, olives and oregano
Focaccia Barese with Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Olive oil focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and olives
Pasta Bowl Mediterranea with Tomatoes, Olives and Mozzarella
Spaghetti with tomatoes, olives, mozzarella and basil
Pissaladière Niçoise (Onion and Anchovy Tart)
Onion tart topped with anchovies and black olives
Bacalhau à Brás (Shredded Salt Cod with Eggs and Potatoes)
Salt cod with eggs, shoestring potatoes, olives and parsley
You might also like
Spätzle Mushroom Bowl with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Spätzle with creamy mushroom sauce, onion, garlic and parsley
Reibekuchen (German Grated Potato Cakes)
Crisp German grated potato cakes served with apple sauce
Macaroni Salad with Sweetcorn
Macaroni salad with sweetcorn, celery and red onion
Stilton and Broccoli Soup
Smooth broccoli soup finished with Stilton and double cream
Ensalada Murciana (Tomato, Tuna and Olive Salad)
Spanish tomato salad with tuna, olives and sliced egg
Montadito de Lomo y Pimientos (Pork Loin and Pepper Sandwiches)
Small pork loin sandwiches topped with sautéed peppers
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
