If you love baking bread and getting creative in the kitchen, this garden focaccia will be your new favorite project. It’s a soft and fluffy flatbread with a crisp, golden crust—and the best part is the edible artwork you get to design on top. Think blooming tomatoes, herbs, scallions, and colorful bell peppers arranged like a summer garden. It’s stunning, delicious, and 100% plant-based.

Artistic garden focaccia topped with tomatoes, bell peppers, spring onions, and herbs on a golden crust

Before we get into the recipe, let’s take a quick look at where this creative focaccia trend comes from.

🍞 A Short History of Focaccia (and Garden Art Bread)

Focaccia is a classic flat, yeasted Italian bread, often compared to pizza dough but with more airiness and depth of flavor. Traditional focaccia is baked with olive oil, sprinkled with coarse salt, and sometimes topped with rosemary or sliced tomatoes.

The idea of turning focaccia into a canvas for edible art started gaining traction on social media during the 2020 lockdowns, when bakers like @vineyardbaker shared their “garden focaccia” creations. It was a way to combine food and art using vegetables and herbs as natural decorations.

Now, garden focaccia has become a delightful centerpiece for brunches, parties, and cozy dinners—and the best part? You don’t need to be a baker or an artist to pull it off.

💚 Why You’ll Love This Garden Focaccia

🌿 Naturally Vegan: No eggs or dairy, just wholesome ingredients
🎨 Creative & Customizable: Use any veggies and herbs you like
🍞 Soft & Fluffy Inside, Crisp Outside
🎉 Perfect for Entertaining: A real showstopper on the table
🕒 Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the dough in advance

Print Recipe

How to Make Garden Focaccia – Vegan Art Bread That’s Beautiful & Delicious

Learn how to make a stunning vegan garden focaccia topped with herbs and veggies. This easy art bread is perfect for spring picnics or festive tables.

Prep Time45

Cook Time20

Total Time1 5

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: focaccia art, garden focaccia, vegan bread

Servings: 4 focaccias

Calories: 375kcal

Cost: €0.80

Ingredients

For the Yeast:

1 1/4 cups warm water not hot
1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 packet 7g dry yeast

For the Dough:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour approx. 400g
2/3 cup semolina flour
1 tsp salt

For Decorating:

2 tbsp olive oil for brushing
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh rosemary
Bell pepper cut into flower shapes or strips
Spring onion sliced into stems/leaves

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a medium bowl, mix the warm water with sugar and flour. Add the yeast, stir, and let sit for 10 minutes until bubbly.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: First Rise

Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape the Focaccias

Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Divide the dough into four equal parts and shape each into a round or oval loaf. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.