Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia Recipe
This Easy Garlic Butter Focaccia recipe delivers a soft, fluffy Italian bread infused with fragrant garlic herb butter and topped with savory Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a side dish or snack, this focaccia is made with simple ingredients and features a light, crisp crust from baking at a high temperature.
- 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
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
- Make the Yeast Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of warm water with honey or sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle in the active dry yeast, stir gently, and set aside for about 10 minutes until foamy and doubled in size.
- Prepare and Rise the Dough: In another large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Pour the foamy yeast mixture into the flour, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (1 to 3 hours).
- Make the Garlic Butter: Near the end of the first rise, melt the salted butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and chopped parsley, simmer gently just until fragrant, ensuring garlic does not burn.
- Incorporate Garlic Butter and Do Second Rise: Once the dough has doubled, uncover and gently scrape down sides with oiled hands. Pour cooled garlic butter over the dough and fold it 8 times using ‘pick-up, fold-in’ method to build structure. Cover and rest dough for 15 minutes for a short second rise.
- Prepare the Pan and Do Final Proof: Generously grease a 9×13 inch pan with olive oil. Pour 4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil to coat the bottom. Transfer the dough carefully and gently stretch to fit. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes for final proof.
- Top, Dimple, and Bake the Focaccia: After final rise, sprinkle grated Parmesan and desired seasonings over dough. Drizzle with 4 to 6 tablespoons more olive oil. Dimple dough with oiled fingertips. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake focaccia for 18–22 minutes until golden and crisp. Optionally drizzle a bit more olive oil after baking.
- Cool, Slice, and Serve: Remove focaccia from oven and cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Warm water (not hot) is essential for activating the yeast properly.
- Do not overcook garlic in butter to avoid bitterness.
- Use oiled hands to handle sticky dough easily.
- Dimples in the dough create a tender texture and hold olive oil for flavor.
- Allowing multiple rises improves texture and flavor development.
- Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and a pleasant aroma.
- Parmesan cheese adds a savory, nutty topping that crisps during baking.
Keywords: Garlic Butter Focaccia, Easy Focaccia Bread, Italian Bread, Garlic Herb Bread, Parmesan Focaccia
