This easy focaccia recipe is so simple it’s practically foolproof! Plus, the flavors of garlic and rosemary make it irresistibly delicious.
Today, I’m super excited to share with you one of my absolute favorite bread recipes. It’s an easy focaccia recipe that will blow your mind. If you’ve never made homemade bread before, this is the perfect place to start.
Nothing is better than the aroma of baking focaccia bread in your kitchen. Imagine a warm, fluffy bread that’s crispy on the outside, topped with aromatic rosemary and flavorful garlic. That’s what we’re making today!
Jeremy and I got the idea for this recipe at a restaurant a while back. We ordered a focaccia with some dipping oil. It was one of the best breads I’ve ever had. I just had to try and make it on my own!
Now, in the process of learning how to make this bread, I found that it can be a bit complicated to make. So basically, I set out on a quest to bring you the tastiest focaccia recipe I could make while keeping it as simple as possible.
In the end, after different variations, I can honestly tell you that I’ve made some of the best focaccia ever. Ha! I know, I know. Of course, I would say that, right? You’re just going to have to trust me until you taste it.
This easy focaccia bread recipe includes some of my favorite flavors. I love how the rosemary, garlic, and sea salt mix with the olive oil and honey. It all combines to give you an experience you’ll want to have repeatedly.
It’s the perfect side dish for any meal. I actually like it as a great snack on its own. It also makes fantastic sandwich bread.
And guess what? You can customize it to fit your favorite flavors. So let’s dive right in to this easy focaccia recipe!
Some of our other favorite bread recipes we have on our site include: Best Challah Recipe (Pesto Stuffed Braided Bread), Pumpkin Pie Spice Monkey Bread, and Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a professional baker. My goal with this one was to make it available to anyone with an oven. This recipe is super straightforward and doable even if you’re a beginner.
- Overnight Rise for Best Flavor: Letting it sit overnight in the fridge makes the bread light and airy. Don’t skip this step! You’ll absolutely love what it does to your bread.
- Delicious Recipe: The garlic and rosemary take this bread to a whole new level of yumminess! One of the best parts, though, is the texture. Eat it fresh out of the oven, and you’ll have a warm bread that is somehow soft and crisp all at the same time. It’s just lovely.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Active dry yeast
- Warm water
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh rosemary leaves
- Flake sea salt
- Garlic cloves
HOW TO MAKE EASY FOCACCIA RECIPE:
- Place the yeast, water, and honey in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Let it sit until frothy, 5-10 minutes. If it is not frothy by this time, your yeast is dead and you need new yeast.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the cheese, and salt, and stir to combine.
- Add the flour to the bowl and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead it a few times by hand in the bowl until a smooth ball forms. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the bowl and coat the dough in the oil.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight to slowly rise and rest.
- The next day, brush a 9×13 baking dish with half of the butter all over.
- Use a fork and prick the dough a few times so it deflates. Add the dough to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out and brush the remaining butter over the exposed dough. Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for the second time, doubling in size at room temperature, 2-4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Sprinkle the rosemary leaves over the top surface of the dough and using your fingers, dimple the dough all over so it deflates again.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on top and use a pastry brush to spread it around making sure all of the dough is covered with oil.
- Sprinkle with the parmesan and flake salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- While the bread is baking, make the toasted garlic oil. Place the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil into a small skillet and add the thinly sliced garlic.
- Place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the garlic is lightly browned but not burned, about 15 minutes.
- Once the bread is out of the oven, drizzle or brush with the garlic oil, let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan then take out, cut, and serve immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT OTHER HERBS WOULD BE GOOD TO USE?
Feel free to swap out the rosemary for other fresh herbs like thyme or basil for a different taste.
You could even try pressing some sliced olives or onions into the top of the bread.
Don’t be afraid to try your own ideas!
WHY DOES THIS NEED TO SIT OVERNIGHT?
The overnight rise allows the dough to develop a better texture and deeper flavors.
You’ll know what I mean when you see all those little air bubbles in the dough.
It’s a step that really levels up your bread in a big way.
HOW CAN I MAKE THIS FASTER?
Letting the dough rise overnight in the fridge makes the end result a more light and airy focaccia. If you don’t have time to wait, then you can skip the overnight step.
Mix the dough through step 3. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit out at room temp until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
Continue with the directions through step 6, but instead of needing an additional 2-4 hours for the second rise, it will most likely be ready in 60-90 minutes. Then, continue as the recipe is written.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Yes! These additions will take minimal effort to throw in.
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced olives
- Caramelized onions
- Shredded cheese
- Jalapenos for a spicy kick
- A sprinkle of black pepper
- A little bit of garlic powder
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- A dash of Italian seasoning
- A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right before serving
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
I’ve got a few for you!
- Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for a chewier texture
- Try using a good sourdough starter instead of just yeast to change up the flavor profile
- Replace honey with maple syrup
- Use coarse sea salt instead of flaky sea salt
- Try garlic powder instead of garlic cloves
- Use vegan cheese instead of parmesan for a dairy-free option
HOW TO STORE:
Room Temp: Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
If you make a big batch ahead of time, you’ll have amazing bread for later that you can just warm up and serve!
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Measure Ingredients Carefully: Accurate measurements ensure the best results.
- Use Fresh Herbs: They bring out the best flavor.
- Temperature Matters: Make sure your water is warm but not hot; too hot can kill the yeast.
- Don’t Rush the Rise: I know sometimes we want to save time, but the longer it rises, the better the flavor.
- Golden Brown is Key: Keep an eye on the bread in the oven, aiming for a beautiful golden brown color.
- Use a Large Bowl: This gives the dough enough space to rise and makes mixing easier.
And there you have it—a super easy focaccia recipe that’s absolutely delicious and incredibly versatile.
Remember, the hardest part is waiting for the dough to rise, but I promise it’s worth it!
Now go ahead, give it a try, and let your kitchen be filled with the heavenly aroma of homemade focaccia bread.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this EASY FOCACCIA RECIPE, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Homemade Easy Focaccia Recipe (Garlic Rosemary)
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 & 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (115*F)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil divided
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For assembly:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter very soft
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
- 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon flake sea salt
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
Instructions
- Place the yeast, water, and honey in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Let it sit until frothy, 5-10 minutes. If it is not frothy by this time, your yeast is dead and you need new yeast.2 & 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast, 1 cup warm water (115*F), 2 tablespoons honey
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the cheese, and salt, and stir to combine.1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flour to the bowl and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead it a few times by hand in the bowl until a smooth ball forms. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the bowl and coat the dough in the oil.2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight to slowly rise and rest.
- The next day, brush a 9×13 baking dish with half of the butter all over.1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Use a fork and prick the dough a few times so it deflates. Add the dough to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out and brush the remaining butter over the exposed dough. Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for the second time, doubling in size at room temperature, 2-4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Sprinkle the rosemary leaves over the top surface of the dough and using your fingers, dimple the dough all over so it deflates again.1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on top and use a pastry brush to spread it around making sure all of the dough is covered with oil.5 tablespoons olive oil
- Sprinkle with the parmesan and flake salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon flake sea salt
- While the bread is baking, make the toasted garlic oil. Place the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil into a small skillet and add the thinly sliced garlic.3 cloves garlic
- Place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the garlic is lightly browned but not burned, about 15 minutes.
- Once the bread is out of the oven, drizzle or brush with the garlic oil, let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan then take out, cut, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Measure Ingredients Carefully: Accurate measurements ensure the best results.
- Use Fresh Herbs: They bring out the best flavor.
- Temperature Matters: Make sure your water is warm but not hot; too hot can kill the yeast.
- Don’t Rush the Rise: I know sometimes we want to save time, but the longer it rises, the better the flavor.
- Golden Brown is Key: Keep an eye on the bread in the oven, aiming for a beautiful golden brown color.
- Use a Large Bowl: This gives the dough enough space to rise and makes mixing easier.
Leave A Reply!