How To Reheat Focaccia [I Test 5 Methods]

Focaccia is a delight fresh from the oven, but it often loses its appeal the next day. Determined not to let this delicious bread go to waste, I decided to experiment with different ways to reheat it.

The best way to reheat focaccia is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly wet the focaccia before wrapping it in aluminum foil. Heating it for around 7-10 minutes, opening foil for the last few minutes to crisp the top if desired.

How I Tested Reheating Focaccia

I spent my Saturday morning baking a delicious, homemade focaccia (it’s easier than you think and my house smelled amazing!). Once it had cooled down, I covered it and left it on the counter overnight. The next day, I tested reheating it in:

• The Oven: Reliable and great for whole focaccias.
• The Stove: Crispy and delicious, this was my favorite method.
• The Microwave: Quick and convenient, but lacks crunch.
• An Air Fryer: Perfect if you like crispy focaccia.
• A Panini Press Or Toaster: A bonus method!

My goal was to find the reheating method that kept the focaccia soft and fluffy on the inside, while restoring that signature crisp of the crust.

Reheating Focaccia In The Oven

Time: 7-10 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly sprinkle the focaccia with water to prevent it from drying out.
3. Wrap the focaccia in aluminum foil.
4. Heat in the oven for about 7-10 minutes, depending on its thickness.

By wrapping the focaccia  in foil, you create a steamy environment that will rehydrate the bread and get its soft texture back. 

If you like a crisper crust, open the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of reheating.

And for an extra touch of flavor, you can drizzle some olive oil and rosemary on the bread before wrapping it in foil.

Results: The oven brought my focaccia back to life brilliantly. It was warm and soft on the inside, and slightly crisp on the edges. The oven is also great because it works for all portion sizes, even a whole focaccia.

Reheating Focaccia On The Stove

Time: 3-5 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Place the focaccia slice in the pan, no need to add oil.
3. Cover with a lid and heat for 2-3 minutes, then flip and heat for another 1-2 minutes.

The key here is to use a moderate heat so the focaccia can warm through without burning. I don’t use any oil because there’s already enough residual oil in the bread, but if you want you can use a small amount of butter for flavor.

Covering the pan traps the moisture. If your bread seems really dry, sprinkle a few drops of water around the outside of the pan before adding the lid to create extra steam.

Results: Reheating focaccia on the stove is a quick and effective method. My focaccia’s crust was perfectly crispy and the inside was still fluffy. It’s a solid choice if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to heat up the entire oven.

Reheating Focaccia In The Microwave

Time: 1 minute
Rating: 6/10

1. Wrap the focaccia with a piece of damp paper towel.
2. Microwave in 20-second intervals, checking after each interval for doneness. 
3. Remove as soon as the focaccia is warm.

The damp paper towel is crucial for keeping the focaccia moist. You only need it damp though, not wet. If it’s too wet the focaccia can get soggy.

Once the focaccia is warm enough take it out and aim to eat it before it cools down again. When microwaved bread cools down it gets even drier than it was before and starts to resemble cardboard.

Results: The microwave did an okay job of quickly warming up my focaccia, and the bread was super soft. But there was zero crispiness and I found the texture slightly chewy. I’d use the microwave again though if I was super hungry, or if my focaccia was really hard and needed softening.

Reheating Focaccia In An Air Fryer

Time: 3-4 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Lightly spray the focaccia with water or olive oil to prevent drying.
3. Place the focaccia in the air fryer basket.
4. Reheat for 2-3 minutes, checking often to avoid burning.

Air fryers are a very harsh reheating method and will quickly dry out your focaccia if you don’t keep an eye on it. I would check every minute.

And remember not to stack things in the air fryer, so keep the focaccia to one layer. This makes sure it reheats efficiently. If your focaccia doesn’t all fit in the air fryer, you can heat it in batches. 

Results: The air fryer was surprisingly good at reheating my focaccia. I thought it would be too harsh, but the quick heating time meant the inside stayed soft while the outside got a nice crunch.

How To Store Focaccia

To store leftover focaccia, let it cool to room temperature and then wrap it in plastic wrap. This will keep the moisture in and protect the focaccia from drying out. You can keep the focaccia at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

But be aware that keeping the focaccia in the fridge will give the bread a much firmer texture. 

If you don’t like using plastic wrap, you can wrap the focaccia in a kitchen towel and then place this in an airtight container.

Can You Freeze Focaccia

Focaccia freezes well and it’s a great way to store it if you want to keep it fresh for longer than a few days. You can freeze the focaccia dough, or the baked bread. Freezing the dough is the best option if you want the best texture, but freezing the baked bread is more convenient.

How To Freeze Focaccia

1. Ensure baked focaccia is fully cooled to room temperature.
2. Slice the focaccia into portions before freezing (optional).
3. Wrap the focaccia (whole or sliced) tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure there is no air inside the packaging.
4. Place the wrapped focaccia in a resealable freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing.
5. Freeze the focaccia for up to 1 month. It will remain safe to eat beyond that, but the texture may suffer.

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen focaccia, simply thaw it at room temperature or reheat it directly from frozen in the oven. To reheat from frozen, wrap it in foil and place in a 375°F (190°C) degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Open the foil for the last few minutes of heating to crisp the crust.

How To Reheat Focaccia [5 Tested Methods]

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover focaccia.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 0 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 1 person

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 portion focaccia

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly sprinkle the focaccia with water to prevent it from drying out.
• Wrap the focaccia in aluminum foil.
• Heat in the oven for about 7-10 minutes, depending on its thickness.

Notes

By wrapping the focaccia  in foil, you create a steamy environment that will rehydrate the bread and get its soft texture back. 

If you like a crisper crust, open the foil in the last 2-3 minutes of reheating.

And an extra touch of flavor, you can sprinkle some olive oil and rosemary on the bread before wrapping it in foil.

Keyword How to reheat focaccia