Cheesy Grilled Caprese Focaccia Recipe for Summer Nights

Sizzling summer nights call for a mouthwatering caprese focaccia that seamlessly blends Italian tradition with grilled perfection.

This grilled caprese focaccia recipe combines crisp, golden bread with layers of fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil.

Each bite promises a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with delightful intensity.

The charred edges of the focaccia add a smoky depth that elevates the classic caprese combination.

Drizzling extra virgin olive oil before serving creates a luxurious finish that makes this dish irresistible.

Simple ingredients come together to create a stunning appetizer or light meal that celebrates summer’s bounty.

Gather your ingredients and fire up the grill for a culinary adventure that will transport you straight to the Italian countryside.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (or 13 hours and 45 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Grilled Caprese Focaccia

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for a soft, chewy focaccia with perfect texture and structure.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps control yeast development.
• Warm Water: Activates yeast and helps create smooth, elastic dough.
• Barley Malt Syrup or Honey: Provides subtle sweetness and helps yeast fermentation.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for bread rising and creating airy, light texture.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor, moisture, and helps create golden, crispy crust.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Brings vibrant color and juicy burst of summer freshness.
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty element that creates classic Caprese experience.
• Fresh Basil: Adds aromatic herb flavor and traditional Italian garden essence.

• Flaky Salt: Provides delicate crunch and enhances overall seasoning of the focaccia.

Grilling Tools for Caprese Bread

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing flour and creating dough.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for dissolving yeast and combining liquid ingredients.
• Cast Iron Skillet (10-inch): Key for preparing and grilling the focaccia.
• Whisk: Needed to blend dry ingredients smoothly.
• Plastic Wrap: Used to cover dough during rising.
• Wire Rack: Great for cooling focaccia after grilling.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for chopping tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
• Sharp Knife: Required for halving tomatoes and chopping ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Grill: Used for cooking the focaccia with direct medium heat.

Steps to Make Tomato & Cheese Focaccia

Dough Creation

Start with flour and a pinch of salt in a cozy mixing bowl. Wake up your yeast by mixing it with warm water and a touch of sweetness. Let the mixture become bubbly and alive. Combine everything gently, creating a soft, sticky dough that promises deliciousness.

First Resting Period

Let your dough take a peaceful nap, covered and protected. Allow it to grow and expand, doubling in size while relaxing in a warm, comfortable spot. This is when magic happens and flavor develops.

Focaccia Preparation

Transform your puffy dough into a canvas of flavor. Spread it lovingly in a cast iron skillet, creating gentle dimples with your fingertips. Scatter vibrant cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella chunks, and fragrant basil across the surface. Drizzle with golden olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Grilling Adventure

Place your creation on a hot grill, letting flames dance around the skillet. Watch as the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese melts into tempting pools. The aroma will make your neighbors curious and hungry.

Final Touches

Carefully remove the focaccia from the grill, letting it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, slice into welcoming wedges, and serve this masterpiece to eager friends and family.

Grilling Tips and Variations

• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary to add unique Mediterranean touches to your focaccia.
• Cheese Swap: Replace mozzarella with burrata or goat cheese for a creamy, tangy twist that elevates the classic Caprese profile.
• Grill Master Trick: Ensure your grill is clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking and achieve those perfect crispy edges on your focaccia.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep leftover focaccia wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze for up to a month for quick future snacks.

Serving the Focaccia Warm

• Summer Picnic Delight: Pack slices in a portable container for a perfect outdoor lunch companion. Pair with crisp white wine or refreshing iced tea for a complete meal experience.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Slice focaccia into small pieces and serve alongside hummus, olives, and grilled vegetables. Creates a stunning appetizer spread that impresses guests with minimal effort.
• Breakfast Transformation: Toast leftover slices and top with scrambled eggs, fresh herbs, or a dollop of ricotta cheese. Transforms the focaccia into a delightful morning meal with minimal preparation.
• Quick Dinner Side: Cut into rustic pieces and serve alongside grilled chicken, pasta dishes, or as a companion to hearty soups. Adds a gourmet touch to simple weeknight dinners with its fresh, aromatic flavors.

How to Store Grilled Caprese Leftovers

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing moisture buildup.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to maintain texture and taste for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature for best results.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold focaccia by warming it on a hot skillet or grill for 2-3 minutes, restoring its crispy edges and soft interior. Brush with olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent drying.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep fresh basil and mozzarella separate from the bread when storing to prevent sogginess and maintain each ingredient's distinct texture and quality.

Irresistible Grilled Caprese Focaccia Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (or 13 hours and 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade grilled caprese focaccia brings Mediterranean sunshine to summer sandwiches. Fresh basil, melted mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes create a simple yet irresistible Italian-inspired meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (75 grams) cherry tomatoes
• 2 oz (57 grams) fresh mozzarella cheese or ciliegine
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water (100°F to 110°F)
• 5 tbsps (75 ml) olive oil, divided
• 1 tsp barley malt syrup or honey
• 2 sprigs fresh basil
• ¼ tsp flaky salt

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient foundation for the focaccia.
2. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm water with barley malt syrup or honey until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is properly activated and ready to transform the dough.
3. Dough Mixing: Pour the yeast liquid and olive oil into the flour mixture, stirring thoroughly until a cohesive, slightly tacky dough emerges without any remnant dry ingredients.
4. Primary Fermentation: Allow the dough to rise in an oil-coated bowl, covered securely, enabling flavor development and volume expansion through room temperature or refrigerated proofing.
5. Topping Arrangement: Meticulously prepare toppings by halving cherry tomatoes, cubing mozzarella, and roughly chopping fresh basil leaves for a vibrant and flavorful finish.
6. Dough Shaping: Gently transfer the risen dough into a cast iron skillet generously coated with olive oil, carefully stretching to cover the entire surface with a uniform thickness.
7. Surface Detailing: Create characteristic dimples across the dough using fingertips, then artfully distribute tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, drizzling olive oil and sprinkling flaky salt for enhanced texture and flavor.
8. Final Proofing: Allow the focaccia to undergo a secondary rise, becoming puffy and voluminous at ambient temperature.
9. Grilling Preparation: Ignite the outdoor grill, establishing a medium direct heat zone to ensure optimal cooking conditions.
10. Cooking Process: Position the skillet directly on the grill grates, covering to promote even heat distribution and develop a golden-brown, crisp exterior.
11. Completion and Cooling: Remove the skillet once edges turn deep golden and the bottom achieves a satisfying crunch, then rest the focaccia on a wire rack for slight cooling and structural stabilization.
12. Serving: Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, slice into rustic wedges, and serve immediately to showcase the harmonious blend of crisp dough, melted cheese, and vibrant herbs.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to perfectly activate yeast without killing it, creating a frothy, alive mixture.
• Dough Elasticity Hack: Knead thoroughly for 5-7 minutes to develop gluten, resulting in a stretchy, smooth texture that rises beautifully.
• Oil Coating Strategy: Use extra-virgin olive oil generously during rising and cooking to enhance flavor and prevent sticking.
• Grilling Precision Point: Monitor heat carefully to avoid burning, aiming for medium direct heat that creates a crispy golden exterior while maintaining a soft interior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg