Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia Recipe

Introduction

Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia is a wonderfully fragrant and fluffy bread perfect for any occasion. With a buttery garlic herb infusion and a crisp golden crust, this focaccia is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

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 the honey or granulated sugar and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle in the active dry yeast, stir gently, and set aside for about 10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy and has doubled in size.
2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Pour the foamy yeast mixture into the flour, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until a sticky dough forms, cover the bowl, and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 3 hours.
3. Step 3: Near the end of the first rise, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped parsley, simmer gently until fragrant without burning the garlic, then remove from heat.
4. Step 4: When the dough has risen, remove the cover and with oiled hands gently scrape down the sides of the dough. Pour the garlic butter over it, then fold and stretch the dough 8 times using the ‘pick-up, fold-in’ method. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes for a second rise.
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, stretching it gently to fit. Cover and let the dough rise for 45 minutes for the final proof.
6. Step 6: After the final rise, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and drizzle with another 4 to 6 tablespoons of olive oil. Dimple the dough with oiled fingertips to create indentations. Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden and crisp.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for added flavor variations.
• For extra crispness, brush more olive oil on the focaccia immediately after baking.
• If you prefer a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil in the garlic-herb mixture.
• Allowing the dough to rise longer at a cooler temperature enhances flavor complexity.

Storage

Store focaccia in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days, then reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 10 minutes to restore crispness. It also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months, thaw at room temperature 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, but reduce the amount to about 1 1/2 teaspoons and mix it directly with the flour. No need to proof it in warm water.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning in the butter?

Cook the garlic over low heat and watch carefully. Remove from heat as soon as the garlic becomes fragrant to avoid a bitter burnt taste.

Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia Recipe

Print Recipe

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5 from 137 reviews

This Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia recipe yields a fluffy, golden-brown Italian flatbread infused with fragrant garlic butter, topped with Parmesan cheese and extra virgin olive oil. Perfect as a side or appetizer, it combines simple pantry staples with a few rising steps to create a richly flavored, irresistibly tender bread with a crisp crust.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 1 focaccia loaf (9x13 inch pan, serves 8) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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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 warm water with 2 tablespoons honey or sugar and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons 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 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Pour in the foamy yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 3 hours until doubled in size.
3. Make the Garlic Butter: Near the end of the first rise, melt 1/2 cup salted butter in a pan over low heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 cup chopped parsley, simmer gently until fragrant without burning garlic.
4. Incorporate Garlic Butter and Do Second Rise: Once dough has doubled, gently scrape down the sides with oiled hands. Pour the slightly cooled garlic butter over the dough. Using the ‘pick-up, fold-in’ method, stretch and fold the dough 8 times to build structure. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.
5. Prepare the Pan and Final Proof: Generously grease a 9×13 inch pan with extra virgin olive oil. Pour 4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil to coat the bottom. Transfer dough carefully to pan, gently stretch it to fit without tearing. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes for the final proof.
6. Top, Dimple, and Bake the Focaccia: After final rise, sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over dough and drizzle with 4 to 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. With clean oiled fingers, dimple the dough all over to create indentations. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and crisp on top. Optionally, drizzle a bit more olive oil just after baking.
7. Cool, Slice, and Serve: Remove focaccia from oven and cool 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Ensure the water for the yeast mixture is warm (about 110°F/43°C) to activate yeast effectively.
• Use oiled hands when handling dough to prevent sticking.
• Do not skip the dimpling step; it retains olive oil and creates the characteristic focaccia texture.
• Letting the dough rise properly at each stage is key to achieving a fluffy bread with good structure.
• Feel free to add your favorite herbs or sea salt as additional toppings before baking.
• For a stronger garlic flavor, add extra garlic to the butter or directly to the dough as desired.

Keywords: Garlic Butter Focaccia, Easy Focaccia Bread, Italian Flatbread, Homemade Focaccia, Garlic Herb Bread