Red Mashed Potato Focaccia, a recipe for a delicious soft Italian homemade bread with garlic, mashed potatoes, and olive oil.
This Garlic Red Mashed Potato Focaccia is incredibly soft and moist thanks to some mashed potatoes right in the dough! If you’ve never had bread with potato in it, you’re in for a real treat! Sounds a little crazy I realize, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! I think my kids could have eaten the whole loaf in about 5 minutes if I let them! This focaccia is great with just a little butter or olive oil, or use it for sandwiches! It would also make a great pizza dough! The focaccia is ready in just a couple of hours so you can have delicious fresh bread anytime!
I went out to lunch a few weeks ago with some friends to an Italian restaurant and in the bread basket was an incredible bread that we couldn’t stop eating. Our waiter was quite friendly and chatty so we asked him about the bread. He said it was a homemade focaccia with red mashed potatoes inside. So guess what I’ve been baking since I went out to lunch that day? :)
The first thing you need are some red potatoes. You actually just need a couple of large red potatoes. I left the skin on but you can peel them if you’d like. I like the little red flecks in the bread. Chop your potatoes to speed up the boiling and cooking process. If you left the potato skins on, be sure to chop the potatoes up into smaller pieces so you don’t get large chunks of skins in your bread. Boil the potatoes until tender.
I put my garlic and olive oil in the microwave for a little while to mellow out the garlic a little. You can also do this in a pan on the stovetop but so much quicker in the microwave. Meanwhile, place your yeast in the warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. It should start to bubble a bit.
By now your potatoes are probably done. Drain the water then mash them until smooth. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher. At this point if you’re noticing large chunks of potato skin, get some kitchen scissors and chop the skin up a bit if you want.
So now you have your mashed potatoes, cooled oil/garlic, and active yeast. Finish up your dough and knead.
Place it in a large bowl that has been coated with a little olive oil. Turn the dough around to coat with oil, then cover the bowl and place in a dark warm place.
The dough should double in about an hour or so.
Punch the dough down and place on an oiled baking sheet. Form into a large circle, press with your fingers to form some indentations like focaccia if you’d like, then top with more olive oil and salt/pepper if desired. You could also top with other things such as thinly sliced onions.
Bake the bread until golden bread on the outside. Cool a little then slice and enjoy!
Delicious!
Hope you enjoy!
You might also like these Mini Pretzel Rolls!
Garlic Red Mashed Potato Focaccia
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups chopped red potatoes (unpeeled or peeled)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoon (or 1 pkg) active dry yeast
- 4-5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
topping (optional):
Instructions
- Place chopped potatoes in small saucepan, cover with cold water and cover pan with lid. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Remove lid, reduce heat to simmer, and cook about 8-10 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Drain water, and mash potatoes. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, place 2 tablespoons olive oil and minced garlic in small microwave safe bowl, cover slightly and cook on high in the microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until warm and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Place warm water in a small bowl and stir in yeast. Let sit about 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl whisk together 3 cups flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add oil/garlic and yeast mixture until just combined. Stir in mashed potatoes. Add more flour as needed to form soft dough.
- Place dough in flour coated surface and knead for a few minutes. Let dough rest for about 10-15 minutes then knead again for a few minutes. Add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to large bowl. Turn dough in bowl to coat. Cover bowl, then place in dark warm place for about an hour or until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place dough onto oiled baking sheet and form dough into a large circle. Coat top with additional olive oil and salt/pepper if desired. Bake about 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
Such a creative idea using mashed potatoes.
I do love me some foccacia and this one sounds fabulous and I’ve got potatoes in the kitchen even. Not sure I can make it without my daughter here; worry that I might eat the entire tray alone. :)
Thanks Barbara! Yes, don’t make bread unless others are there. :)