Sourdough Focaccia Rolls

Sourdough Focaccia Rolls

12 servings
These Sourdough Focaccia Rolls are soft, golden, and full of flavor. Made with olive oil, fresh herbs, and naturally leavened sourdough, they have crisp edges, fluffy centers, and make the perfect easy dinner roll for any meal or holiday table.

Ingredients

  • sourdough starter

    ripe, bubbly and active, about 1/2 teaspoon

    3 g
  • all-purpose or bread flour

    about 1/4 cup

    30 g
  • water

    about 2 tablespoons

    30 g
  • ripe

    bubbly, active levain, about 3 tablespoons

    50 g
  • water

    about 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons

    200 g
  • salt

    about 1 teaspoon

    7 g
  • bread flour

    scant 2 cups

    250 g
  • parmesan cheese

    shredded, about 1/4 cup

    20 g
  • garlic powder

    about 1 teaspoon

    3 g
  • dried oregano

    about 1/2 teaspoon

    1 g
  • dried basil

    about 1/2 teaspoon

    1 g
  • unsalted butter

    melted, about 2 tablespoons

    25 g
  • olive oil

    about 2 tablespoons

    25 g
  • garlic powder

    about 1 teaspoon

    3 g
  • dried oregano

    about 1/2 teaspoon

    1 g
  • dried basil

    about 1/2 teaspoon

    1 g
  • salt

    about 1/4 teaspoon

    2 g
  • extra reserved olive oil for the pan

Directions

Mix the levain (1:10:10, overnight about 10-12 hours at 78ºf)

  1. 1

    Mix together 3 grams ripe sourdough starter with 30 grams water and 30 grams flour. Cover and let sit overnight at 78ºF until doubled in size, bubbly and active.Alternatively, if you have a ripe, bubbly, active sourdough starter, you can substitute 50 grams of bubbly starter for the levain in this recipe.

Sourdough focaccia rolls

  1. 1

    Mix the Dough: To a bowl add 50 grams levain, 200 grams water, 7 grams salt and 250 grams bread flour. Mix together with a dough whisk or spoon until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

  2. 2

    Coil Fold 1: After 30 minutes, remove the cover and perform 4-6 coil folds. The dough will be very sticky for this first set of coil folds but will strengthen over time.To coil fold: Wet your hands with water. Place your hands under the middle of the dough and pull up. The dough will stretch up (but should not tear) and release from the bottom of the bowl. Once the dough releases, let the dough fall back under itself. Repeat the process for both sides of the dough. Then turn the container and repeat the coil fold.I find it very helpful to watch this process before attempting it. You can watch a video of the coil fold here. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    Coil Fold 2: After 30 minutes, lightly wet your hands. Repeat the coil fold 4-6 times. You will notice the dough is stronger than your first set of coil folds. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

  4. 4

    Coil Fold 3: After 30 more minutes, sprinkle the parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano and basil on top of the dough. Lightly wet your hands. Repeat the coil fold 4-6 times, adding the inclusions as you go. Notice the dough is getting stronger and the coil folds are easier to perform. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

  5. 5

    Coil Fold 4: After 30 more minutes, repeat the coil fold 4-6 times. The dough should feel fairly strong and cohesive and the cheese and herbs should be dispersed.

  6. 6

    Bulk Fermentation Continued: Cover and rest for 1.5-2 hours until the dough has scattered bubbles around the edges, has risen about 30-40% and is jiggly. The timeframe is based on a dough temperature of 78ºF. Colder dough will take longer and warmer dough will move faster.

  7. 7

    Prepare the Herb Butter Oil Mixture: Mix together melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and salt until combined. Set aside.

  8. 8

    Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto the counter and cut it into 12 equal pieces, about 40-45 grams per piece. Use a bench scraper and damp hands to make the dough easier to handle. Working with one piece at a time, dip each piece into the butter herb oil until fully coated, then place it in a muffin well. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough until all 12 rolls are formed.

  9. 9

    Proof: Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap or another muffin tin and place it in a warm spot to rise. Let the dough rest until it’s puffed up and slightly jiggly, about 2–3 hours at 78-80ºF.

  10. 10

    Bake: Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Drizzle another teaspoon of oil on top of each roll if desired. Use your finger to gently dimple the top of the focaccia rolls. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the rolls reach an internal temperature of 205-210ºF. Let the rolls cool for about 5 minutes before enjoying warm!

Sourdough Focaccia Rolls

Sourdough Focaccia Rolls

1250 min12 servings130 cal

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Simple Sourdough Focaccia

Simple Sourdough Focaccia

Adapted from my favorite yeasted, slow-rise focaccia recipe — overnight refrigerator focaccia — this recipe replaces the yeast with a sourdough starter. UPDATE: Video guidance is here! Watch up above or click the link below in the recipe card.  What you need to make this recipe...: ...a sourdough starter. I bought mine from Breadtopia. It was easy to activate. There are no instructions on the package itself; follow the instructions on the video here. ...time. Once your starter is ready to go, this recipe requires an initial 4- 18 hour rise, followed by a second 4- to 6-hour second rise. After the initial rise (depending on the time of year and temperature of your kitchen), you can deflate the dough, and stick it in the fridge for 8 to 10 hours (maybe longer), which might help you regarding your schedule. Keep in mind, when you remove the dough from the fridge and transfer it to a pan, it will still need to rise for another 5- to 6- hours. ...water. Apparently, chlorine in water can adversely affect sourdough. Leaving water at room temperature for 24 hours will allow most of the chlorine to escape.When I am in the habit of making sourdough bread, I fill a large pitcher with water and leave it out at room temperature. I use this for my sourdough breads and starter. Truth be told, I've used water straight from the tap and have not noticed a difference. Water quantity: Depending on where you live and the time of year, you may need to cut the water back. If you live in a humid environment, for instance, I would suggest starting with 430 g water. If you are not using bread flour, you also may need to cut the water back a bit. Timing: The more I make sourdough, the more I realize so much depends on the time of year and the temperature of my kitchen. In the summer, because it is so warm, the first rise (bulk fermentation) takes between 4 - 6 hours; in the winter the first rise takes 12 - 18 hours. The key with this recipe is to make sure the first rise doesn't go too long — you want the dough to nearly double. A straight sided vessel  (as opposed to a bowl) makes gauging the first rise easier. (Note: If your dough rises above double, don't despair ... recently my dough tripled in volume during an overnight rise, and the resulting focaccia was still delicious, light, airy, etc.) A few thoughts: If you are making this focaccia in the summer (northern hemisphere), use 50 g of starter and check the dough every couple of hours. If you are making this in the winter, use 100 g of starter, and plan for a long first rise. Troubleshooting: If you have issues with your dough being too sticky, please read this post: Why is my sourdough so sticky? The 4 common mistakes. Flour choice:  I've been using King Arthur Flour's special patent flour — bought a 50-lb. bag of it at Restaurant Depot. Its protein content, 12.7%, is the same as the protein content of its bread flour. I also have used all-purpose flour (11.7%) with success, but I recommend bread flour, which seems to be more reliable for people especially those living in humid climates. If you only have ap flour on hand, you may consider reducing the water a bit — bread flour absorbs slightly more liquid than all-purpose flour.

24.4 hours

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About this Recipe

Craving a warm, tender roll with golden-crisp edges that elevates any meal? These Sourdough Focaccia Rolls deliver on that promise, bringing restaurant-quality flavor and texture right to your dinner or holiday table.

This recipe shines by combining the rich depth of naturally leavened sourdough with the savory notes of olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and a blend of dried herbs. The result is a roll with an incredibly fluffy interior and a delightful, slightly chewy crust that's infused with aromatic flavors.

What truly sets these Sourdough Focaccia Rolls apart is the natural leavening process, which contributes an unparalleled depth of flavor and a wonderfully complex texture. The careful balance of olive oil, aromatic garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil permeates every bite, creating a roll that’s not just bread, but a flavor experience. You'll love how the Parmesan adds a subtle, salty tang, perfectly complementing the robust herbs.

Expect a roll that is soft and golden, with distinct crisp edges and a supremely airy, fluffy center. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of savory, earthy, and slightly tangy notes from the sourdough. While naturally leavened breads require a bit of patience, the hands-on time is minimal, leading to incredibly rewarding results that are well worth the wait. These rolls are designed to be a comforting yet impressive addition to any spread.

Customizing Your Sourdough Focaccia Rolls

YouWhile the classic blend of garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil is fantastic, feel free to adjust the quantities of herbs to your preference or experiment with other dried Mediterranean herbs like dried rosemary. You can also increase the amount of shredded Parmesan cheese for an even richer, more savory bite. For the main dough, while bread flour is specified, you can also achieve good results using all-purpose flour, similar to what's used in the starter.

These Sourdough Focaccia Rolls are the perfect accompaniment to a hearty soup, a vibrant salad, or as an impressive side for any special occasion or holiday feast. Serve them warm with a drizzle of your best olive oil for an extra touch of decadence.

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