Sharing is caring!

If you love the soft, chewy focaccia bread from Panera, you are going to love making this Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread at home. It has a fluffy interior, a slightly crisp and golden crust, plenty of olive oil, and that unmistakable kick of freshly cracked black pepper.

This homemade focaccia is perfect for making sandwiches, serving alongside a warm bowl of soup, or simply tearing into while it's still warm from the oven. And honestly, dipping a piece in seasoned olive oil might be my favorite way to eat it!

The best part is that focaccia is one of the easiest yeast breads you can make. You don't need to shape a perfect loaf, and those signature dimples actually make rustic-looking bread part of the charm.

Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread

One of my favorite things about Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread is the texture. It's thick enough to make a hearty sandwich but still soft and airy inside.

The generous amount of olive oil is what helps give Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread its characteristic crust while keeping the bread tender. Then freshly cracked black pepper adds a savory bite that makes this version especially good for sandwiches.

If you've been intimidated by homemade bread, focaccia is a great place to start.

Ingredients for Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread

You will need:

• 1 ½ cups warm water, about 105–110°F
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or honey
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional if needed
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 to 2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black pepper for topping
• Flaky sea salt for topping, optional

For the best flavor, use a good-quality olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper rather than finely ground pepper from a shaker.

How to Make Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast to the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir everything together and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.

The yeast should become foamy on top. This lets you know that it is active and ready to use.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add the flour, kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil to the yeast mixture.

Using the dough hook, mix on low speed until the ingredients begin to come together.

Increase the speed slightly and knead for about 5 to 7 minutes.

The dough should be smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky. Focaccia dough is softer and stickier than traditional sandwich bread dough, so resist the temptation to add too much extra flour.

If the dough is extremely wet, add flour about 1 tablespoon at a time.

You can also knead the dough by hand for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil.

Place the dough in the bowl and turn it once so that the surface is lightly coated in oil.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Prepare the Pan

Pour about 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Spread the oil across the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan.

Transfer the risen dough to the prepared pan.

Using lightly oiled fingers, gently stretch and press the dough toward the edges of the pan.

Don't worry if it keeps shrinking back. Allow it to rest for about 10 minutes and then gently stretch it again.

Step 5: Let It Rise Again

Cover the pan loosely and allow the focaccia to rise for another 30 to 45 minutes.

During the last 15 minutes of rising time, preheat your oven to 425°F.

The dough should look noticeably puffy before you bake it.

Step 6: Make Those Focaccia Dimples

Now comes the fun part!

Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top of the Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread.

Use your fingertips to press deep dimples all over the surface. Press almost to the bottom of the pan without tearing through the dough.

Sprinkle generously with coarsely cracked black pepper.

Add a small amount of flaky sea salt if desired.

The olive oil will settle into those little pockets as the focaccia bakes, giving you an incredible crust and tons of flavor.

Step 7: Bake the Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread

Bake the Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown.

The exact baking time will depend on your oven and the thickness of your bread.

Remove the Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread from the oven and drizzle the top with just a touch more olive oil if you want an extra-soft, flavorful crust.

Allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.

The Secret to Great Focaccia

One of the biggest mistakes people make with Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread is adding too much flour.

You actually want a relatively soft, slightly sticky dough.

A higher-moisture dough creates those beautiful air pockets inside the bread and keeps the focaccia from becoming dense.

Another important ingredient is olive oil. This isn't the recipe to skimp on it! Olive oil adds flavor while creating that wonderful golden exterior.

Use Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

Since black pepper is the star of this focaccia, freshly cracked pepper makes a huge difference.

Coarsely grind whole black peppercorns right before adding them to the bread.

Mixing some pepper directly into the dough gives you flavor throughout the loaf, while adding additional cracked pepper to the top gives you that distinctive peppery finish.

If you don't want quite as much heat, simply reduce the amount sprinkled over the top.

How to Make Panera-Style Sandwiches

This focaccia makes an amazing sandwich bread.

Once completely cooled, cut the focaccia into squares and then slice each piece horizontally.

Try filling it with:

• Turkey, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato
• Chicken, bacon, avocado, and ranch
• Ham and Swiss
• Mozzarella, tomato, and pesto
• Grilled chicken and provolone
• Roasted vegetables and fresh mozzarella
• Chicken salad
• Turkey, bacon, and Gouda

You can even lightly toast the cut sides before assembling your sandwich.

What to Serve With Black Pepper Focaccia

Of course, you don't have to turn this bread into sandwiches.

Serve warm slices alongside your favorite soups, including tomato soup, broccoli cheddar soup, chicken noodle soup, potato soup, chicken pot pie soup, or creamy vegetable soup.

It's also fantastic with pasta dishes.

For a simple appetizer, cut the focaccia into strips and serve it with a shallow dish of olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and freshly cracked pepper for dipping.

Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?

Absolutely.

In fact, allowing focaccia dough to rest overnight in the refrigerator can develop even more flavor.

After mixing the dough, place it in an oiled bowl, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight.

The following day, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Transfer it to your oiled baking pan, stretch it gently into place, and allow it to rise until puffy before dimpling and baking.

How to Store Homemade Focaccia

Focaccia is definitely best the day it is baked, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days.

To bring back some of that fresh-from-the-oven texture, warm individual pieces briefly in the oven or air fryer.

I don't recommend refrigerating focaccia because refrigeration tends to make bread dry out and become stale faster.

Can You Freeze Focaccia?

Yes!

Allow the bread to cool completely before cutting it into individual portions.

Wrap the pieces tightly and place them inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to eat it, allow the bread to thaw at room temperature and then warm it in a 350°F oven for several minutes.

Why You'll Love This Copycat Panera Focaccia

There is something incredibly satisfying about pulling a pan of homemade focaccia from the oven.

The smell of yeast bread, olive oil, and freshly cracked black pepper fills the kitchen, and that first warm piece is almost impossible to resist.

This Copycat Panera Black Pepper Focaccia Bread gives you a soft and chewy bread that's delicious enough to eat on its own but sturdy enough to hold all your favorite sandwich fillings.

Once you realize how simple homemade focaccia can be, you may find yourself making a pan every week!

Love making homemade bread? Check these recipes out

• Irish Soda Bread
• Cherry Tomato Focaccia Bread
• Copycat Panera Asiago Cheese Bagels (Soft, Cheesy & Bakery-Perfect)