Italian Herb and Cheese Focaccia Bread Mix (with directions for Sweet Potato Oven Fries)
"First time trying focaccia bread . This was so easy."
At the bottom of this page, see the directions for sweet potato oven fries!
Getting to know focaccia: Questions and Answers
- What is focaccia bread? It's an Italian flatbread that can be baked in a round or rectangular pan. It's dimpled and brushed with olive oil.
- How do you use it? It's incredibly versatile. You can load it like a pizza, split it and make sandwiches, use it like bread sticks, or tear it apart and use it for dipping.
- What's the main way? There is no main way. They are all popular: Put toppings on it, use it as an accompaniment to a meal with or without dipping, or make sandwiches.
- How do you use it? I love focaccia sandwiches, but I also use focaccia as an appetizer or a snack.
- What do you dip it in? Anything. I most often dip it in marinara--but that's handy. Roasted garlic oil is wonderful, and so is a cheese sauce. You'll find recipes below.
- Will my kids like it? If your kids like bread sticks or your sandwiches, they will.
- Is it hard to make? No, it's extremely simple. Mix it in your stand-type mixer, press it into a pan, top it, and bake it. Instructions are included.
- How long does it take? Let the bread rise until it's puffy, which will take 45 minutes to an hour. Then bake it for 15 minutes.
- How do you top it? That's the fun part! It comes with a spice and herb packet. Mix that in a measure of olive oil. Use your fingers to dimple the bread and pour the seasoning over the bread, and then bake it.
- How do you make a sandwich? Slice it most of the way through, use the uncut portion as a hinge, and load it up.
- How thick is the bread? It is a flatbread—one to three inches thick, depending on the pan you use.
- Some of the pictures look kind of artsy. What are they using for decorations? I'm more interested in eating my food than playing with it, but they're having fun—you'll see green pepper slices, tomatoes, herbs, and onions.
- What do you top yours with? I guess I like to experiment, too. In preparing this, I found tomatoes, grated cheese, herbs, and one loaded with onions and thinly sliced potatoes. That one had a white sauce. But most of the time, I just use the herb packet.
- You do have fun, don't you! Yes, I love the bread and I love making it. Most of our neighbors love it too. It's fun to give away.
- Tell me again, what pans do you use? I usually use a 15-inch pizza pan, but I've also used a baking sheet or even a large frying pan. I've divided the dough and made smaller breads.
For ways to use your focaccia, see The Focaccia Library.
Bring a Taste of Italy to Your Kitchen!
Introducing Italian Cheese and Herb Focaccia Bread Mix! This delicious mix makes a large 15-inch bread that's perfect for any occasion. The Italian spice and herb packet included in the mix will give your bread a truly authentic taste. You can make it on an 11x17-inch baking sheet or a 14 or 15-inch pizza pan, making it easy and fast to prepare. The bread only requires a single rise before baking and takes just 15 minutes to cook. The yeast packet is also included.
- Makes a large 15-inch bread
- Includes Italian spice and herb packet
- Can be made on an 11x15-inch baking sheet or 14 or 15-inch pizza pan
- Easy and fast, with a single rise and 15-minute baking time
- Yeast packet included
- Flavored with cheddar cheese
Side of Fries?
Now that you have the best looking hamburger buns around, you absolutely need to pair you main dish with an equally as incredible side dish, and I can't think of a more classic pairing than burgers and fries. But since we leveled up our hamburgers, I think our fries need to match the eccentricity.
These baked sweet potato fries do the trick. They are so quick and easy to make, and they have a secret ingredient to make them extra crispy!
How to Make Sweet Potato Oven Fries
Ingredients:
3-4 large sweet potatoes
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp Olive oil
1-2 Tbsp seasonings of your choice (paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, pumpkin pie spice, etc.)
Salt to taste
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
Begin by peeling your sweet potatoes and cutting off both ends. Cut potatoes into sticks that are about ¼ inch thick. If you like thicker steak fries, cut your slices to approximately ½ inch thick.
Place fries on a greased baking sheet, and here is where the secret ingredient comes into play. Dust the fries with a light coating of cornstarch. Use your hands to coat them evenly, so you no longer see any white powder.
Add your olive oil, and again, use your hands to coat the sweet potato wedges evenly. Sprinkle on your seasonings of choice.
Arrange your fries in a single layer. Make sure you don’t crowd them, or they will not crisp up.
Bake for 20 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the fries so they cook evenly, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until crisp and cooked through. Be careful not to burn them. Once finished, salt to your taste, and serve immediately with dipping sauce of your choice.