Description
Garlic herb focaccia is a soft, airy Italian-style bread with a golden crust, infused with olive oil, garlic, and fragrant herbs. It’s perfect as a side for soups and pastas, for sandwiches, or served warm with olive oil for dipping.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1¼ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus more for the pan and topping
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Topping
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough: Stir in the olive oil, salt, and flour until a soft dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Knead Dough: Knead the dough lightly in the bowl or on a floured surface for 5–6 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size, allowing fermentation and flavor development.
- Prepare Pan: Generously oil a 9×13-inch baking pan. Press the risen dough evenly into the pan, shaping it to fit the pan’s dimensions.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough and let it rise again for 20–30 minutes to achieve a lighter texture.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is hot enough for baking the focaccia.
- Dimple and Season: Use your fingertips to dimple the dough all over. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with minced garlic, chopped herbs, and coarse sea salt to infuse flavor and create texture.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the focaccia is golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and cool slightly before slicing and serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Add sliced olives or cherry tomatoes for variation to enhance flavor and color.
- Fresh herbs give the best flavor, but dried work well as substitutions when fresh are unavailable.
- Brush with extra olive oil immediately after baking for a softer crust and richer taste.
- Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, ideally wrapped to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
