Cast Iron Sourdough Deep Dish Focaccia Pizza (Crispy, Buttery & Airy)

If you’ve never made sourdough focaccia pizza in a cast iron skillet, you are in for something special.

This is not your average pizza. The crust is light, airy, and full of those signature focaccia bubbles, while the bottom bakes up golden, crispy, and buttery thanks to a generous layer of olive oil and butter.

It’s simple, from-scratch food at its best—and once you make it, it’s hard to go back to regular pizza.

Jump to Recipe

🍕 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Flexible timing (same day or overnight)
• No complicated shaping
• Crispy bottom + fluffy interior
• Perfect for homemade sauce, ranch, and fresh cheese

🧺 Ingredients

• 1/3 cup active sourdough starter
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons salt

For the pan:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt

Toppings:

• Homemade pizza sauce
• Cheese (fresh or homemade if you have it 😉)
• Any favorite toppings

🥣 How to Make Sourdough Focaccia Pizza

1. Mix the Dough

In a stand mixer, combine sourdough starter, water, flour, and salt.
Knead for about 5 minutes.

The dough will be very sticky—this is exactly what you want.

2. Stretch and Fold

Every 30 minutes or so, perform a stretch and fold using wet hands.

Repeat 3–5 times total.
This builds structure and creates those beautiful air pockets.

Don’t stress about timing—just fit it into your day.

3. Choose Your Timeline

Same Day:

• Start dough in the morning
• Stretch & folds throughout the day
• Bake for dinner

Overnight:

• Start in the evening
• Do 2 stretch & folds
• Let rest overnight
• Finish folds in the morning and bake for lunch

4. Prepare the Cast Iron Skillet

In a 12–14 inch cast iron skillet: (or two 8 skillets)

• Melt butter and olive oil
• Turn off heat
• Stir in garlic salt

5. Shape the Dough

Transfer the dough into the skillet (it will be loose and sticky).

• Flip it once or twice to coat both sides
• Gently spread it to the edges
• Use your fingers to create deep dimples throughout

6. Final Rise

Let the dough rise until doubled—about 1–2 hours.

7. Bake

• Preheat oven to 450°F
• Bake crust for 12–15 minutes

Remove from oven, then:

• Add sauce, cheese, and toppings
• Return to oven and bake for ~20 more minutes

8. Remove & Rest

• Run a knife or spatula along the edges
• Carefully slide onto a cutting board
• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing

🔥 Tips for the Best Focaccia Pizza

• Wet hands make handling sticky dough easy
• Don’t skip the butter + oil—this creates that crispy crust
• Dimples = texture + flavor pockets
• Cast iron is key for even heat and crispiness

🧀 Take It to the Next Level

This pizza is incredible on its own—but if you really want to elevate it:

• Use your own homemade pizza sauce
• Add a drizzle of homemade ranch after baking
• Top with fresh, homemade cheese

👉 If you want to learn how to make your own cheese at home, check out my full cheese course—it pairs perfectly with recipes like this.

🌱 From My Kitchen to Yours

Recipes like this are exactly why I love sourdough and from-scratch cooking. Simple ingredients, a little time, and you end up with something that feels truly special.

If you’re just getting started or want to go deeper into gardening, cooking, and preserving, my book Seed to Plate walks you through the entire process—from growing your food to getting it on the table.

👉 Grab your copy here:
https://foodprood.com/seed-to-plate-order-the-homesteading-gardening-guide-cookbook-by-laura-lawrence/