Description
This easy focaccia bread recipe combines aromatic garlic and herbs infused olive oil with a soft, pillowy dough. Perfect as a flavorful side or base for toppings, this homemade focaccia offers a crispy golden crust and tender interior with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic-Herb Olive Oil
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (120ml)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Dough
- 1 cup lukewarm water, 110°F to 115°F (235ml)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, one ¼-ounce packet
- ¼ teaspoon sugar, honey, or maple syrup
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (325g)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Infuse Olive Oil: Combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper in a cold medium skillet. Place over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic without browning the garlic. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir a few times and let sit for 5 minutes until yeast starts bubbling slightly.
- Mix Initial Dough: Add 1 cup of flour and ¼ cup of the garlic-olive oil mixture to the yeast mixture. Stir 3 to 4 times until moistened, then let rest for another 5 minutes.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the remaining 1 ½ cups flour and salt. When the dough begins to form, transfer to a floured surface and knead 10 to 15 times until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel, and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours. Alternatively, proof overnight in the fridge.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Use 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture to oil a 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheet.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the risen dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently press it out to fill the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough deeply and drizzle the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture on top. Let it rise for 20 to 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Bake: Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let the focaccia cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Keep the garlic-infused olive oil temperature low to avoid burning the garlic for a smooth, rich flavor.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried ones if fresh are unavailable.
- For overnight rising, cover the dough tightly and refrigerate; bring it back to room temperature before shaping.
- Pressing deep dimples in the dough helps retain the garlic oil and creates the characteristic focaccia texture.
- Other pan sizes can be used, but adjust baking time slightly and ensure dough thickness is even.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: focaccia, easy focaccia bread, garlic herb focaccia, Italian bread recipe, homemade focaccia
