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Overhead view of a Sourdough Discard Focaccia with a deeply golden, bubbly crust embedded with fresh rosemary, thyme, and coarse flaky sea salt.

Sourdough Discard Focaccia: Roasted Garlic & Blistered Tomato Bread

This incredibly airy and bubbly Sourdough Discard Focaccia features a deeply golden crust, soft roasted garlic, blistered sun-dried tomatoes, and a glossy olive oil finish. Perfect for utilizing leftover sourdough starter with minimal effort.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup sourdough discard unfed (120g)
  • 4 cups bread flour (480g)
  • 2 cups warm water (475ml)
  • 1 tsp instant yeast (3g)
  • 1 tsp fine table salt (5g)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil divided (120ml)
  • 1/2 cup soft roasted garlic cloves (70g)
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomato halves oil-packed (50g)
  • 2 sprigs fresh green rosemary
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (4g)
  • 1 tbsp coarse flaky sea salt (15g)

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch dark metallic baking pan Essential for a deeply golden, fried crust.
  • 1 Parchment paper Crinkled to fit the pan perfectly.

Instructions
 

Making the Focaccia
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water, instant yeast, and sourdough discard until completely dissolved and frothy.
  2. Add the bread flour and fine table salt. Mix until a shaggy, sticky dough forms, ensuring no dry spots remain.
  3. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes. Perform a series of stretches and folds. Repeat this resting and folding process three times total.
  4. Line a dark metallic baking pan with crinkled parchment paper. Pour 2 tbsp olive oil into the pan. Transfer dough, coat in oil, cover, and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
  5. Remove dough from fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours until puffy. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  6. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil. Use oiled fingers to deeply dimple the dough. Press soft roasted garlic cloves and sun-dried tomato halves into the dimples. Scatter fresh rosemary, thyme, and flaky sea salt over the top.
  7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until deeply golden, bubbly, and slightly charred at the edges. Drizzle with remaining olive oil immediately upon removing from the oven.

Notes

Tip 1: Always use a dark metallic pan for the best charred, crispy edges.
Tip 2: If the dough resists stretching, let it rest for 15-20 minutes before trying again.
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