Schiacciata - Traditional Tuscan Flatbread Recipe (2024)

Schiacciata is a kind of bread traditionally made in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, in central Italy. It tastes a lot like focaccia, but unlike the focaccia made in Genoa, Schiacciata does not require a very lengthy process and it can easily be made at home as the dough is really forgiving.

The term schiacciata literally means 'pressed' and it refers to the fact that you need to press the dough down with your fingers when you put it in the tins. In fact, no rolling pin is required to make this recipe.

This schiacciata is crunchy, yet soft and moist thanks to the cherry tomato and oregano topping. It can be served as an appetiser or just like bread to accompany your food. It also makes for a great snack or kids party treat. Serve it just after it has been baked to enjoy it at its best.

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Schiacciata dough

  • 400g of plain flour
  • 40g of lard, or extra virgin olive oil
  • 12g of salt
  • 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
  • 220g of water, lukewarm
  • 1 tbsp of sugar

Topping

  • cherry tomatoes, 20–25, halved
  • 1/2 tbsp of dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp of water, lukewarm
  • extra virgin olive oil, as needed
  • salt

Method

1

To begin, mix the yeast, sugar and lukewarm water and keep aside to activate

2

When frothy, put it in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Add the flour, salt and lard and knead well until you get a smooth dough. If you don’t have an electric mixer, knead the dough by hand

3

Make the dough into a ball, cover it and leave to prove for at least 1 hour, or until doubled in volume

4

In the meantime, grease 2 24cm round tins with some extra virgin olive oil. When the dough has doubled in volume, divide it in the 2 tins and press it down. Leave to rest for 30 minutes

5

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6

6

Push the halved cherry tomatoes down onto the schiacciate. Drizzle with a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil and a little lukewarm water

7

Sprinkle some salt and the dry oregano on the top and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown

8

You can serve this schiacciata lukewarm or at room temperature, it is best eaten the same day you make it. Alternatively, you can freeze it, thaw it and then warm it up in the oven just before serving it

Discover more about this region's cuisine:

Schiacciata - Traditional Tuscan Flatbread Recipe (2)

Manuela is an Italian native who currently resides in Australia. She is the author of Manu’s Menu, a food blog about traditional Italian cuisine that she started in 2011. Her blog is one of the top food blogs in Australia.

Schiacciata - Traditional Tuscan Flatbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is schiacciata made of? ›

Schiacciata is a crisp and chewy Italian bread from Tuscany, made with a basic mixture of flour, yeast, olive oil, water, and salt.

What is the difference between focaccia and schiacciata bread? ›

Schiacciata is typically thinner and lighter than focaccia, with a texture that is often more airy and delicate. It is commonly seasoned with olive oil, salt, and sometimes herbs like rosemary or sage. Focaccia, on the other hand, tends to be thicker and more substantial, with a chewier texture.

What is a schiacciateria? ›

Schiacciateria. Schiacciata is a traditional Italian flatbread that originated in Tuscany. It is made from simple ingredients such as flour, yeast, water and salt and has a characteristic oval shape. The surface is lightly baked and has a crispy crust, while the inside is soft and moist.

What is unique about Tuscan bread? ›

What makes Tuscan Bread unmistakable is the absence of salt. In fact, its flavor is neutral, but not bland, because the different types of wheat, mixed with the mother dough, make up for the lack of salt with pure flavor.

What is the history of schiacciata? ›

The history of the Tuscan schiacciata

Its origins are ancient and date back to pre-Roman times. Water and various cereals were mixed ground in a rustic dough and then “crushed” and well-cooked on hot stones.

What is sciachiatta? ›

This is Brian's grandmother's recipe for sciachiatta, which is a Sicilian meat pie. We used to celebrate an Italian Thanksgiving a couple weeks before actual Thanksgiving, and this was always served. We love it now for football Sundays, and I've added some veggies to it to make it a healthier option for dinner, too.

What ingredient is not used in Tuscan bread? ›

You may not know what it is, but there's definitely something different about this bread. The answer is that there's an ingredient missing in Tuscan bread – salt.

What is the difference between Italian bread and Tuscan bread? ›

I've never met an Italian who under-seasoned their food and pane toscano is made the same as any other Italian bread. It has yeast, water, oil and flour. But no salt. Without it, the bread has no flavour, but it also has a lighter crust and chewier texture.

What is the most famous bread in Italy? ›

1. Ciabatta. Ciabatta is an Italian bread that is known for its distinctive shape and texture. It is a relatively new bread, created in the 1980s by Arnaldo Cavallari, a baker from Verona, Italy.

What is schiacciata Fiorentina made of? ›

The cake is usually made with yeast dough and lard. To make it fluffy and light, the dough has to rise repeatedly: This takes a lot of time. Followers of modern cuisine have created a variation that adapts to the rhythm of modern life (i.e. saves time) while still trying to achieve the original taste.

What is schiacciata romana? ›

The Schiacciata Romana does it all. This authentic flat bread is made and baked in Italy. And it stands out with taste, lightness and true Mediterranean flair. Schiacciata is named after the Italian verb 'schiacciare' which means 'press with the fingers' and refers to how the dough is made.

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