Fluffy, Cheesy Little Fried Focaccinas

Focaccinas are made with eggs, milk, grated cheese, fresh parsley, flour, and baking powder. No yeast, no lengthy rising time, and certainly no need to spend your entire afternoon in the kitchen.

You just need to mix your ingredients, knead, and roll it out before cutting it into neat little circles. A gentle fry in a covered pan gives the focaccinas time to cook through while developing a lightly golden exterior. They're a clever option for casual gatherings when you want something homemade that people can easily pick up and enjoy.

What Are Focaccinas?

Traditional Italian focaccia is a flat, oven-baked bread commonly made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil. Depending on the region and recipe, it may be topped with rosemary, olives, tomatoes, onions, or other flavourful ingredients. These cheese-and-parsley focaccinas take a slightly different approach. Instead of following the traditional yeast-based method, this recipe uses eggs, milk, and baking powder to create a dough that can be prepared quickly.

Focaccia is associated with the Latin word focus, meaning hearth or fireplace. Early flatbreads were cooked on or near sources of heat long before modern ovens became common. Today's focaccia has countless regional variations, proving that bread doesn't have to follow one strict formula to become a much-loved staple.

Pro Tips for the Best Focaccinas

• The cheese is one of the main flavor-makers, so choose one you enjoy. Cheddar gives the focaccinas a savoury taste, while mozzarella creates a milder flavour.
• A little flour on the work surface prevents sticking, but too much can make the focaccinas dense and dry.
• A round cookie cutter gives the focaccinas a tidy, uniform shape. If you don't have one, the rim of a small glass or a similarly sized round cutter will do the job.
• Cooking over low heat gives the centres enough time to cook without allowing the outsides to brown too quickly. High heat may leave the focaccinas looking ready on the outside while the dough inside remains raw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Focaccinas Hard Instead of Fluffy?

Hard focaccinas can result from adding too much flour, kneading excessively, or cooking the dough at a temperature that is too high. A dough that is too dry will struggle to produce a soft interior.

Can I Add Garlic to the Dough?

Garlic is a natural partner for cheese and parsley, adding a deeper flavour to the focaccinas. Finely minced fresh garlic or a little garlic powder can work well. Start with a small amount so that the garlic complements rather than overwhelms the cheese.

What Can I Serve With Focaccinas?

You can enjoy them with tomato soup, vegetable soup, salads, roasted vegetables, or grilled dishes. They can also be served as appetizers with garlic yoghurt sauce or a simple herb dressing.

How to Store Leftover Focaccinas

Let the focaccinas cool until they are no longer steaming. Avoid sealing them while hot, as trapped moisture can make them soggy. Refrigerate within hours of cooking because the recipe contains eggs and milk, and enjoy within three days.

How to Make Focaccinas

Step 1

Step 1

Mix eggs with parsley, cheese, salt, and milk.

Mix eggs with parsley, cheese, salt, and milk.

Step 2

Step 2

Add the flour and baking powder to the bowl and mix until the ingredients begin to come together, then knead to form a dough.

Add the flour and baking powder to the bowl and mix until the ingredients begin to come together, then knead to form a dough.

Step 3

Step 3

Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on the work surface.

Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on the work surface.

Step 4

Step 4

Use a cookie cutter to cut the rolled dough into small circles.

Use a cookie cutter to cut the rolled dough into small circles.

Step 5

Step 5

Transfer them to a pan with oil, cover with a lid, and cook them on low heat for 10 minutes. Then, flip each focaccia, cover, and cook for another five minutes .

Transfer them to a pan with oil, cover with a lid, and cook them on low heat for 10 minutes. Then, flip each focaccia, cover, and cook for another five minutes .

Step 6

Step 6

Arrange them on a plate and serve while warm. Enjoy!

Arrange them on a plate and serve while warm. Enjoy!