August 31, 2022

Focaccia with Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes

Name: Focaccia with Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 1 pint Grape Tomatoes (halved or quartered); 1 clove Garlic (microplaned); 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil; 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar; ¼ teaspoon Salt; ¼ teaspoon Pepper; ¼ teaspoon Basil (dried); 1 ½ cup Warm Water; 1 Tablespoon Yeast; 3 ½ cups Flour; 1 ¼ teaspoon Salt; 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil (divided)

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Last Updated on August 31, 2022 by Annie

Fluffy, soft, and tender focaccia bread studded with balsamic marinated tomatoes makes this simple no-knead bread recipe a must-bake recipe. This savory vegan tomato focaccia is elevated to a whole new level with the addition of balsamic marinated tomatoes. Topped with a balsamic drizzle and fresh basil, this juicy and flavorful focaccia makes the perfect appetizer or side to a filling dinner.

A pizza slice shaped cut of balsamic marinated tomato focaccia drizzled with balsamic glaze.

It’s hard to believe that we are drawing close to the end of summer. With school starting, football getting ready to begin again, and a slight relief in the heat, the signs of fall are popping up everywhere.

That said, the abundance of tomatoes, hot and humid afternoons, and the dog days of summer hot dog special going on at Macon Bagels leaves me to believe we still have a few wonderful things about summer to hold on to.

If you are looking for an outlet for all of those juicy grape or cherry tomatoes you are picking in your garden or stocking up on at the farmer’s market, then I would be honored to introduce you to the beauty that is this simple vegan Focaccia with Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes.

Why We LOVE this Marinated Tomato Focaccia

Okay, I know you probably don’t need to be sold on the idea of making your own batch of bread but hear me out…

Quick and easy to make. This simple no-knead focaccia only has one rising time and can be in your oven in one hour.
Pairs well with almost everything! From a simple salad to a fully loaded dinner plate you can serve this focaccia up with just about anything.
Bursting with flavor. From the tender and chewy bread base to the juicy baked marinated tomatoes, every bite of this bread is absolutely drool worthy.
Dairy-Free and Vegan, without any substitutions.

Marinated tomato focaccia topped with fresh basil on a rimmed baking sheet.

How to Make Focaccia with Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes

Ingredients You’ll Need

Grape Tomatoes– Halved or quartered based on your preference. You can also use cherry tomatoes if you are so inclined.
Balsamic Marinade– Made of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and dried basil.
Olive oil– Used in the dough, marinade, and coating the baking pan, this pantry staple ingredient really makes the rounds in this quick bread recipe.
Focaccia Dough– Flour, water, salt, olive oil, and yeast make this simple focaccia dough.

Step-By-Step Directions

Let’s break this quick and easy focaccia recipe down into the two main parts, the balsamic marinated tomatoes and the simple no-knead focaccia.

Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes

Chop tomatoes: Slice and quarter 1 pint of grape tomatoes. If you prefer larger bites of tomato, simple cut them in half.
Make the marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and dried basil.
Marinate the tomatoes: Toss the tomatoes into the balsamic marinade and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes before using.

Ingredients for marinated tomatoes on a white counter.

A bowl with the balsamic marinade and another bowl in the back with chopped tomatoes.

Simple No-Knead Focaccia

Prepare for baking: Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by pouring 1 tablespoon olive oil on the pan and spreading it along the bottom and sides of the pan. Set aside.
Dissolve yeast into water: In a liquid measuring cup stir together warm water and yeast until smooth.
Prepare dry ingredients: In the base of a stand mixer, fitted with a hook attachment, add flour and salt.
Add liquid ingredients to dry: Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and add olive oil.

Ingredients for no-knead focaccia on a white counter with a blue and white striped towel to the right.

A liquid measuring cup with warm water and yeast.

Mix the dough: Stir the dough on low to prevent the flour from flying out of the bowl, then crank it up to high for 1 minute.
Press the dough out on prepared pan: Using a rubber spatula, remove the dough from the mixing bowl and plop it directly on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the dough to cover the base of the pan with the rubber spatula.
Let dough rise: Cover the baking sheet with a clean dish towel and allow to rise for 1 hour.
Preheat oven: About 45 minutes into the rising, preheat the oven to 375°F so it’s ready when the dough is ready to go in.

Focaccia dough in a silver bowl with a dough hook attachment.

An oiled rimmed baking sheet topped with focaccia dough before spreading out.

Press divots into dough: After an hour, use your fingers to press holes into the dough. Do not press all the way through the dough, simply press your fingers in to make divots.
Add toppings to the dough: Drizzle the top of the dough with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then scatter the marinated tomatoes on top.
Press some toppings into the dough: Press tomatoes into the dough and also drizzle with some of the balsamic marinade.
Bake for about 25 minutes until the dough is cooked through.

Focaccia dough after rising for 1 hour in a rimmed baking sheet.

Focaccia dough with holes poked in and topped with a drizzle of olive oil.

Helpful Kitchen Tools For Balsamic Tomato Focaccia

Here are some of the kitchen tools I find helpful while making this balsamic tomato studded focaccia bread.

Baking Sheet– I used this rimmed baking sheet for just about everything from biscuits to cookies to focaccia and more!
Rubber Spatula– This tool is critical for getting the dough spread out onto the oil coated baking sheet.
Microplane– Used to grate the garlic into a fine mush.

What to Serve with Focaccia

I think this focaccia is best paired with a delicious and hearty pasta dish. Here are just a few that will compliment the balsamic marinated tomatoes studding this soft and tender focaccia bread.

Now, if you are looking to dress up this balsamic marinated tomato focaccia (kind of like you see below) here are just a few ways to top it off and take it to the next level.

Drizzle the top with a balsamic glaze.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs like basil or oregano.
Turn it into a flatbread pizza and top it with a vegan cheese like Miyokos Vegan Pizza Mozzarella.

Focaccia with balsamic marinated tomatoes drizzled with balsamic glaze.

How to Store Focaccia with Marinated Balsamic Tomatoes

From simple room temperature storage to the depths of your freezer, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of the best ways to keep this balsamic marinated tomato focaccia fresh.

Store– Keep this marinated tomato focaccia stored in an air-tight container for up to 2 days on the counter at room temperature.
Refrigerate– You can pop this focaccia in the fridge for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.
Freeze– If you are looking to keep this for the long-haul wrap this focaccia tight in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. Remove from the freezer and allow to thaw on the counter in the wrapping before baking to re-heat.
Reheat– You can pop this focaccia back in the oven at 350°F and bake for about 15 minutes to reheat and crisp up.
Air-Fry– Y’all know I’m new to the air fryer but legit use it daily… Pop slices of this focaccia in the air fryer on the re-heat setting at 350°F and heat for up to 5 minutes.

More Quick Bread Recipes to Bake Next

If you tried this Balsamic Marinated Tomato Focaccia recipe feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!

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