Shortcut focaccia made from frozen dinner rolls is a current TikTok favorite—and for good reason. Brushed with olive oil and seasoned with herbs, this easy, flavorful bread is perfect for beginners or anyone short on time.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure Policy for details.
TikTok keeps bringing the best kitchen hacks, and this shortcut focaccia definitely delivers. It won’t be identical to classic focaccia—expect a slightly fluffier center—but it’s tasty, fast, and approachable. My family calls it “faux-caccia,” which feels fitting.
What is focaccia?
Focaccia is a flat Italian bread typically brushed with olive oil and topped with fresh or dried herbs and salt. Its flavor and texture are similar to pizza dough; in Italy it’s sometimes called “pizza bianca” (white pizza). It’s versatile—serve it as a side, use it for sandwiches, or enjoy it on its own.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients:
- Frozen dinner rolls – a 24-count package (we used Rhodes).
- Extra virgin olive oil – the oil is a main flavor, so use a good-quality olive oil.
- Herbs and seasonings – garlic powder, sea salt, and your choice of dried or fresh herbs. We used dried oregano and rosemary.
How to make shortcut focaccia
This method is very beginner friendly and quick to assemble:
- Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Use a pastry brush or your fingers to coat the bottom and sides of the dish so the dough won’t stick.
- Place the 24 frozen dinner roll dough balls in the dish, spacing them evenly.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap, sealing it to keep air out but not tightly—leave a little room for rise. Let the rolls sit until they are completely risen and puffy.
- Remove the plastic wrap. Drizzle the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil evenly over the risen rolls.
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or your fingertips to press the dough down and create small dimples across the surface, forming the characteristic focaccia pockets.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, sea salt, and your chosen herbs evenly over the dough.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Storing leftovers
This bread is best fresh, but you can store leftovers wrapped tightly on the counter for up to two days. If you plan to keep any, rewarm it in the oven briefly before serving to refresh the crust and flavor.
Using fresh herbs
You can use fresh herbs. Because they’re more delicate, chop them and add them after baking or sprinkle some on right before serving to keep their flavor bright.
Tips and tricks
- We intentionally over-proofed the dough so the rolls rose well above the rim of the dish by about 1/4–1/2″. This yields a softer interior.
- Don’t wrap the dish too tightly with plastic; allow space for the dough to expand.
- Use any herb combination you like—rosemary and oregano are classic, but thyme, basil, or parsley also work well.
Other easy bread ideas
This shortcut focaccia is a simple, flavorful side for Italian dinners or just a tasty snack. If you enjoy easy bread recipes, try experimenting with other no-fuss breads like cheesy beer bread, crusty Dutch oven loaves, quick baguettes, or Irish soda bread.
If you try this easy focaccia using frozen rolls, leave a comment to share how it turned out—we love hearing from readers.
Easy Focaccia Bread Using Frozen Rolls
Ingredients
- 24 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- Dried herbs (oregano, rosemary, or your choice)
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat the bottom and sides.
- Place the 24 frozen dough balls in the dish, spaced evenly.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until fully puffed.
- Uncover and drizzle the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil over the rolls.
- Press the dough with a wooden spoon handle or your fingertips to form dimples across the surface.
- Season evenly with garlic powder, sea salt, and herbs.
- Bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Allow plenty of rise time; the dough may rise above the rim of the pan by 1/4–1/2″.
- Don’t wrap the dish too tightly—leave room for expansion.
- Use fresh or dried herbs; rosemary and oregano are classic, but thyme, basil, or parsley work well too.
Nutrition (per serving)
Carbohydrates: 1 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 12 g
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As always, all opinions are my own.