Smart Greek Yogurt Focaccias Filled With Cheese and Ham

Forget kneading for hours or waiting on dough to rise because these Smart Focaccias bring big flavor with minimal fuss. Made right in a pan, this clever dish only features traditional focaccia stuffed with cheese and ham, all wrapped in dough made from just flour, Greek yogurt, and baking powder.

The dough comes together in minutes, gets rolled, filled, and sealed before taking a quick turn in a hot skillet. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and spontaneous cravings.

What are Smart Focaccias?

Focaccia usually brings to mind a thick, olive-oil soaked slab of herby bread. The concept of stuffed flatbreads dates back thousands of years, showing up in cuisines from India to Italy. What we’ve got here is a streamlined version: a no-rise, yogurt-based dough that acts as the perfect envelope for your favorite fillings.

Pairing flour with Greek yogurt creates a soft, pliable dough that doesn’t require yeast, resting, or any elaborate technique.

Pro Tips for the Best Smart Focaccias

• Use full-fat Greek yogurt as it gives the dough better structure and flavor. Avoid runny yogurts; they’ll mess with the texture.
• Overworking the dough makes it tough. Just combine until it's non-sticky and you're good.
• After adding the fillings, press and roll again to lock everything inside and seal the edges well.
• Make sure your pan is hot before adding the focaccias. A warm pan leads to a crispier outside.
• You are free to play with the fillings. Try mushrooms, olives, or even leftover roasted veggies. Just don’t overstuff, because less is more here.

Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead?

Absolutely, though keep in mind that whole wheat flour will make the dough denser and slightly nuttier in flavor. You might need a splash of more yogurt to keep the texture soft and workable.

What’s the Best Cheese for Stuffing?

Go with something that melts like a dream, such as mozzarella, provolone, or gouda. Avoid cheeses that release too much oil or are too hard (looking at you, parmesan).

How Do I Prevent the Filling from Leaking?

Don’t overfill, and make sure to press and roll the edges firmly. Also a second roll after folding really helps lock everything in.

Are These Good Cold?

Honestly? Yes. They hold up great in lunchboxes and are tasty even at room temp. Reheating in a dry pan for a couple of minutes restores a bit of that crisp bite if you want to revive them.

How to Make Smart Focaccias

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, Greek yogurt, and baking powder. Stir until it comes together, then knead lightly until smooth and non-sticky. If it's too dry, add a tiny bit more yogurt.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Divide it into 4 equal pieces and shape each into a ball.

Flatten each ball into a small round disc with a rolling pin. Add cheese and ham to the center, then fold the dough over to enclose the filling. Roll it out again gently to seal everything and flatten the pocket.

Place the filled focaccias in a preheated non-stick pan. Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until golden and slightly puffed.

Let them rest for a minute or two, then slice or serve whole.