This Garlic Focaccia bread recipe is the best I've ever tasted, offering a perfect balance of crunchy, flaky exterior and pillowy, soft interior. It's an ideal choice for dipping in olive oil and balsamic vinegar or even for making a delicious sandwich.
If you're in the mood for a bread that's as crisp as it is soft, and as simple as it is delicious, then this garlic focaccia recipe is for you. This is my go-to yeast bread recipe at home, and the best part? It's naturally vegan and doesn't require any fancy equipment.
Love this recipe? Then you'll also love my homemade multigrain sandwich bread, another family-friendly recipe that's perfect for any meal. If you're looking for more bread recipes, don't miss my quick, no-knead bread, a foolproof recipe that's perfect for beginners.
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Why This Is The Best Garlic Focaccia Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This rosemary garlic focaccia bread is a breeze to make, with simple steps that even beginners can follow. It's a quick fix for any meal.
- Surprisingly Simple: Despite its gourmet appearance, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make. You don't need any fancy kitchen gadgets or complicated techniques.
- Classic Flavors: The combination of garlic, olive oil, and rosemary gives this focaccia a classic, timeless flavor that everyone loves.
- Family Favorite: This garlic focaccia is a hit with both kids and adults. It's a family favorite that's sure to be requested again and again.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil: This heart-healthy fat will add a rich, smooth texture to our dish.
- Garlic: Thinly sliced, it will infuse our recipe with a robust, aromatic flavor.
- Active Dry Yeast: This is the rising agent that will give our bread its beautiful, airy structure.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our bread, it provides structure and substance.
- Fresh Rosemary: This aromatic herb will add a fragrant, earthy note to our bread, making it truly unforgettable.
How to Make Garlic Focaccia
Making this incredible garlic rosemary focaccia bread recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
- Heat the oil: Add oil to a small saucepan and heat until it simmers but not boiling, for about 2 minutes.
- Infuse the garlic: Add garlic to the heated oil and stir for 30 seconds until it's fragrant. Using a slotted spoon, quickly transfer the garlic to a plate and reserve 2 tablespoons of the garlic-infused oil for brushing on the focaccia later.
- Prepare the yeast mixture: In a small bowl, add warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir slightly and leave it for 15-20 minutes to activate the yeast.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, add flour, salt and whisk to combine.
- Mix the dough: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the yeast mixture and oil (minus the reserved 2 tablespoons). Start mixing the dough with a spatula and then knead with your hands until the ingredients are combined and you have an elastic dough.
- Rest dough: Form a ball, place it in the bowl, cover it, and set it aside for 20 minutes at room temperature to allow the gluten to develop.
- Knead the dough again: After 20 minutes, knead the dough for another minute. It should be smooth and slightly sticky. Cover the dough and let it rest for 1 hour.
- Divide and shape the dough: Cut the dough in half on a lightly floured surface or pastry silicone mat. Fold each half inward 5 times, flip the dough upside down and flatten it into a 7-8” diameter disk.
- Prepare for second rise: Place the dough disks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with the reserved olive oil, cover with plastic wrap, and let them rest for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 430 F and place a baking sheet inside to heat up as well.
- Final touches: Grease your fingers and make a few pokes in the dough. Sprinkle the dough with sautéed garlic and rosemary.
- Bake the focaccia: Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and transfer the parchment paper with the dough onto it. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the focaccia has a golden brown crust.
- Cool and Serve: After baking, remove the focaccia from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy your homemade garlic focaccia!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips For Making the Best Garlic Focaccia
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh garlic and rosemary for this recipe. Fresh ingredients will give your focaccia a robust and authentic Italian flavor.
- Activate the Yeast Properly: Make sure the water is warm, not hot, when adding the yeast. Too hot water can kill the yeast, while too-cold water won't activate it. The ideal temperature is between 110F and 115F.
- Take Time to Knead: Don't rush the kneading process. It helps to develop the gluten in the dough, making your focaccia light and airy.
- Rest the Dough: Allow the dough to rest as per the recipe. This will give the yeast time to work, helping the dough to rise and develop a better texture.
Serving Suggestions
- For a hearty breakfast, pair this garlic focaccia with a creamy avocado spread and a side of scrambled eggs. The richness of the avocado and eggs complements the robust flavors of the focaccia.
- Garlic focaccia also makes a great appetizer. Cut it into small pieces and serve with a selection of dips like hummus, Muhammara, or Mushroom dip. The flavors of the dips will enhance the garlic and rosemary in the focaccia.
- You can even use this delicious Italian bread for sandwiches. It’s also versatile enough to enjoy by dipping it in some extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar mix.
- For a cozy dinner, serve this garlic focaccia alongside a bowl of your favorite soup or stew. The focaccia is the perfect sponge to soak up all the delicious broth.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Herb Infused: If you're a fan of herbs, try infusing the olive oil with your favorite herbs like thyme or basil before adding it to the dough.
- Cheesy Garlic: Simply sprinkle some shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top of the focaccia before baking. The melted cheese, combined with the fragrant garlic, will take your focaccia to the next level.
- Tomato and Olive: If you enjoy the tangy flavor of tomatoes and olives, try adding some cherry tomatoes and sliced olives on top of the focaccia before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, I recommend using active dry yeast. It needs to be activated with warm water and sugar before adding it to the flour. This helps to ensure a good rise and a fluffy texture in your focaccia.
Olive oil is the traditional choice for focaccia, and it adds a distinctive flavor. However, if you don't have it on hand, you can use another type of oil like avocado oil. Just keep in mind that it may alter the flavor of the bread slightly.
After kneading, the dough should be smooth and slightly sticky. If it's too sticky, you can add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a bit more warm water.
The focaccia is done when it has developed a golden crust. This usually takes about 20–25 minutes, but ovens can vary, so keep an eye on it.
Absolutely! While this recipe calls for garlic and rosemary, feel free to get creative. You could add thinly sliced tomatoes, olives, or even some grated cheese before baking.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: After enjoying your garlic focaccia, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
- Reheat Instructions: To reheat, simply place the focaccia in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5–10 minutes, or until it's warmed through.
- Freeze: You can also freeze it for up to one month by wrapping it with plastic wrap and then popping it in the freezer. Allow it to thaw overnight before enjoying it.
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Recipe
Garlic Focaccia
Ingredients
- ½ c olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- ¾ c warm water 110F-115F
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar any sugar will work
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Add oil to a small saucepan and heat until it simmers but not boiling for about 2 minutes.
- Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. With a slotted spoon, quickly transfer garlic to a plate. Remove 2 tablespoons of oil from the saucepan and reserve it for brushing the focaccia.
- In a small bowl, add warm water, yeast and sugar. Slightly stir and wait 15-20 minutes to activate the yeast.
- In a large bowl add flour, salt and whisk to combine. Make a well in the flour and add yeast mixture and oil (minus reserved 2 tablespoons).
- Start mixing the dough with a spatula and then knead with your hands until the ingredients are combined and you have an elastic dough. Form a ball, place it in a bowl, cover it with a plate, and set it aside for 20 minutes at room temperature (this will help the gluten to develop).
- Knead the dough again for 1 minute. It will be smooth and slightly sticky. Cover the dough with a plate and leave it to rest for 1 hour.
- Divide the dough in half on a lightly floured surface or pastry silicone mat. Fold each half inward 5 times. Flip the dough upside down and flatten to a 7-8” diameter disk.
- Place disks on a parchment-lined baking sheet turned upside down, brush with 1 tablespoon of reserved olive oil, and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Set aside for 20 minutes.
- Set the oven temperature to 430 F and place another baking sheet in the oven as the oven heats.
- Grease your fingers and make a few pokes in the dough. Sprinkle with sauteed garlic and rosemary.
- Very carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven (it will be hot) and transfer the parchment paper with the dough on a hot baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the focaccia has developed a golden crust.
- Remove focaccia from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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