Description
This garlic butter focaccia recipe is soft, golden, and infused with rich garlic-herb flavor. A perfect side dish for pasta or soups, this fluffy Italian bread is easy to make at home and topped with a buttery, crisp crust. Ideal for meal prep, holiday dinners, or savory snacks.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups warm water
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup unsalted butter
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley or herbs (optional)
2 tablespoons cornmeal (optional, for pan dusting)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, stir together warm water, honey (or sugar), and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix to form a shaggy dough, then knead until smooth and elastic (8–10 minutes by hand or mixer).
3. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
4. Grease a 9×13 pan with olive oil and dust with cornmeal. Press dough into the pan. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
5. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in chopped herbs if using.
6. Dimple the dough with fingers, then brush or pour garlic butter over top. Let the butter soak into the crevices.
7. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, until golden and crisp.
8. Cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
For deeper flavor, refrigerate the dough overnight and allow it to come to room temperature before baking.
Don’t skip the second rise in the pan—it gives the focaccia its signature height and fluff.
Add shredded cheese or flaked sea salt before baking for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg