No Knead Cheesy Focaccia Bread at the Table

no knead focaccia bread sliced diagonally on a cutting board.

You probably already know that we’re all about that simple recipe life! If you’ve already indulged in the tastiness of our No Knead Focaccia Bread Art, then brace yourselves because this cheesy focaccia is the next level of tasty simplicity!

We’re going to reveal the hidden gem that is the key to this focaccia fabulousness right up front. (Cue the drumroll.) Frozen dinner rolls! Yes, we said it — frozen dinner rolls! And since you don’t have to work too hard to make this super-simple bread you’ll have plenty of time to customize it. Just shower it with all your fave toppings and bake to turn those frozen rolls into a feast!

Thanks to the magic of frozen dinner rolls, you can skip the dough-making and dive straight into the deliciousness. Some people are memorable at bread making, but we don’t have the patience for it! Unless you have some secret simple bread recipe you’d like to share with us, we will continue to use frozen dough!

What is Focaccia Bread?

Just to give you a little background on Focaccia (pronounced fo-kah-cha), it is a flatbread similar to pizza dough that you can make either sweet or savory. It originates in the providence of Liguria in Italy. Liguria is the finest-known region for its classic focaccia, which is called “classica” in Genoa. Typically it is flattened to about 1/2 to 1 inch thick, with indentations throughout the whole surface. Focaccia bread has a lot of herbs and olive oil with cheese and other toppings as a garnish.

How to Make this No-Knead Focaccia Bread

As you read, focaccia definitely requires a few steps, that’s why we love simplifying the process by using frozen dinner rolls.

Thaw: In a buttered or greased 13×9 baking dish, arrange the frozen dinner rolls. Make sure to leave about 1/2 inches in between each roll. With a pastry brush, brush the tops of the roll with a little olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 4-5 hours.

Olive Oil: Now comes the fun part of making focaccia, drizzle with olive oil on top of the dough and create indentations with your fingers.

Toppings: Top the bread with garlic, shredded cheeses, and herbs. Give a little sprinkle of salt and pepper to the top. Get creative and make a pretty design with the toppings!

raw rolls with olive oil being drizzled on top

Bake: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown. Careful not to over bake as it will dry out! Cut into strips.

no knead focaccia bread garnished with fresh basil and flowers

How to Serve this Focaccia Bread

Our absolute fave pairing for focaccia is a hearty marinara sauce. Drizzle (or slather!) it over top or serve on the side for dipping.

If you want a good pasta recipe to pair it with One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo, or the One Pot Caprese Pasta

For an simple protein. Pair it with the Bruschetta Baked Chicken or Baked Pesto Chicken.

pieces of no knead cheesy focaccia bread on a cutting board with fresh basil.

Common Questions about No Knead Cheesy Focaccia Bread

What types of cheese work finest for cheesy focaccia?

A duo of cheeses can elevate your focaccia to new heights! Mozzarella offers a gooey melt, and parmesan adds a sharp nuttiness. You could also add feta for a tangy punch. You can experiment with your favorites — just make sure they melt well and complement the bread’s flavors.

Can I add herbs to my no-knead cheesy focaccia?

Absolutely! We love oregano but herbs like rosemary and basil pair perfectly with cheesy focaccia, too. Sprinkle fresh or dried herbs over the dough before baking to infuse aromatic flavors that will make your kitchen smell like an Italian bakery.

What dishes pair well with cheesy focaccia bread?

Cheesy focaccia is the standout multitasker! Pair it with hearty soups, crisp salads, or your go-to pasta for a meal that feels complete. It’s also memorable as a sandwich base or simply on its own, dunked in marinara or olive oil for a flavor-packed snack, side, or starter.

How can I achieve a crispier crust on my focaccia?

For an extra-crackly crust, try this trick: after baking the focaccia in the pan, remove it and place it directly on the oven rack for the last few minutes of baking. This allows the heat to circulate around the bread, making the crust even crunchier without drying out the interior.

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 8

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 20 mins

Frozen dinner rolls turned into a herbed and cheese focaccia bread. Email

Ingredients

14-16 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves thinly sliced garlic
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese shavings
1 spring fresh oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large buttered 13×9 baking dish arrange 14-16 frozen dinner rolls, leaving approximately 1/2 inch space between each roll. Lightly brush each frozen roll with a little bit of olive oil. Cover with saran wrap and light rise for 4-6 hours.14-16 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Once the bread has risen to double remove the saran wrap.
Now comes the fun part of making focaccia, drizzle with olive oil on top of the dough and creating indentations with your fingers.3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Top the bread with garlic, shredded cheeses, and herbs. Give it a little sprinkle of salt and pepper to the top. Get creative and make a pretty design with the toppings!3 cloves thinly sliced garlic, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shavings, 1 spring fresh oregano, salt and pepper
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bread is golden brown. Careful not to overbake! Serve warm.