Left-Laid Rope-Inspired Twisted Herb Focaccia

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A golden focaccia bread featuring twisted strands of rosemary and thyme embedded in the dough, reflecting the clockwise twist of a left-laid rope. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 40 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, (1 packet) active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp for topping coarse sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 2 tsp salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture plus 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
3. Step 3: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down the dough and transfer to a greased baking sheet. Press dough out into a 12x16 inch rectangle.
5. Step 5: Using your fingers, create dimples all over the dough surface. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped rosemary and 1 tbsp chopped thyme evenly, then drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil on top. Fold and twist strands of dough over the herbs to mimic a left-laid rope twist.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tsp coarse sea salt over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crisp on the edges. Cool slightly before slicing.