Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia Recipe

Introduction

Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia is a fluffy, flavorful Italian bread perfect as a side or snack. Infused with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan, this homemade focaccia is simple to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp honey or granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more for greasing pan)
• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or grated
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling and pan)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of warm water with honey or sugar and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle in the yeast, stir gently, and let sit for about 10 minutes until foamy and doubled in size.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix the flour and salt. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, 1 to 3 hours.
3. Step 3: Near the end of the rise, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic and parsley, simmer gently just until fragrant to infuse the butter without burning the garlic.
4. Step 4: Once the dough has risen, with oiled hands, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Pour the garlic butter over the dough. Using the pick-up and fold-in method, fold the dough 8 times to build structure. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.
5. Step 5: Generously grease a 9×13 inch pan with olive oil. Pour 4 to 6 tablespoons of olive oil into the pan and transfer the dough. Gently stretch to fit without tearing. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
6. Step 6: After the final rise, sprinkle grated Parmesan and desired seasonings over the dough. Drizzle with 4 to 6 tablespoons of olive oil. Dimple the dough with oiled fingertips to create indentations. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden and crisp.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use warm water (not hot) to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
• Add rosemary or thyme for additional herbal notes in the garlic butter.
• For extra crispiness, sprinkle coarse sea salt on top before baking.
• Substitute the Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.

Storage

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispness. You can also freeze focaccia wrapped well in plastic and foil for up to 1 month; thaw before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast, but reduce the amount slightly (about 25% less) and mix it directly with the flour without proofing it in water first.

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

The dough has risen enough when it has roughly doubled in size and holds an indentation when gently pressed with a finger.

Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 63 reviews

This Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia recipe yields a beautifully fluffy, golden, and flavorful Italian bread infused with aromatic garlic herb butter and topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a side dish or snack, this focaccia features a tender crumb, signature dimples, and a crispy, olive oil-rich crust baked to perfection.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 22 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dishes
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp honey or granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more for greasing pan)

For the Garlic-Herb Butter:

• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or grated
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling and pan)

Instructions

1. Make the Yeast Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of warm water with the honey or sugar and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle in the active dry yeast, stir gently, and set aside for about 10 minutes, until foamy and doubled in size.
2. Prepare and Rise the Dough: In a separate large bowl, mix the flour and salt evenly. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, 1 to 3 hours.
3. Make the Garlic Butter: Near the end of the first rise, melt the salted butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and chopped parsley and gently simmer just until fragrant, avoiding burning the garlic.
4. Incorporate Garlic Butter and Do Second Rise: After the first rise, gently scrape down the dough sides with oiled hands. Pour the slightly cooled garlic butter over the dough and stretch and fold it 8 times using the ‘pick-up, fold-in’ method. Cover and rest the dough for 15 minutes to relax gluten.
5. Prepare the Pan and Final Proof: Generously grease a 9×13 inch pan with olive oil. Pour 4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil to coat the pan bottom. Transfer and gently stretch the dough to fit the pan without tearing. Cover and let it rise for 45 minutes for the final proof.
6. Top, Dimple, and Bake the Focaccia: After the final rise, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle 4 to 6 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Using oiled fingers, dimple the dough by pressing fingertips to create indentations. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Optionally drizzle more olive oil after baking for extra flavor.
7. Cool, Slice, and Serve: Remove focaccia from oven and let cool 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delicious, fluffy bread experience.

Notes

• Allow the dough to rise until doubled; rising times can vary based on room temperature.
• Be careful not to burn the garlic when making the garlic butter—cook just until fragrant.
• Dimpling the dough is essential to create focaccia’s characteristic texture and help the olive oil soak in.
• You can add herbs like rosemary or sea salt on top before baking for extra flavor.
• Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: garlic butter focaccia, Italian bread, easy focaccia, garlic bread, homemade focaccia, Parmesan focaccia, bread recipe