Ingredients
100g active sourdough starter (bubbly and fed)
375g warm water
500g bread flour
10g sea salt
20g honey or sugar (optional)
50g extra virgin olive oil (plus more for the pan)
Flaky sea salt for topping
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the active sourdough starter, warm water, and honey until the starter is mostly dissolved.
Step 2: Add the bread flour and sea salt to the liquid mixture and stir with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains.
Step 3: Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 30 minutes to autolyse.
Step 4: Perform the first set of stretch and folds by pulling the edge of the dough up and over into the center, rotating the bowl and repeating 4-5 times.
Step 5: Repeat the stretch and folds 3 more times at 30-minute intervals. The dough will become smoother and more elastic.
Step 6: Cover the bowl tightly and let the dough ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours, then transfer to the fridge for 12-24 hours for a cold ferment.
Step 7: Generously coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with olive oil. Gently transfer the cold dough to the pan, being careful not to pop the bubbles.
Step 8: Let the dough proof in the pan in a warm spot for 2-4 hours until it has spread to the corners and is very jiggly.
Step 9: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle more olive oil over the top and use oiled fingertips to dimple the dough deeply.
Step 10: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and rosemary, then bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is deep golden brown.
Step 11: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to maintain the crispy bottom.
Notes
For extra crispy results, use a metal baking pan rather than glass. If your kitchen is cold, the final proof may take longer than 4 hours.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sourdough focaccia recipe, no-knead bread, sourdough discard, artisan bread, easy sourdough

