Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread (Printable)
Italian-style focaccia with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and olive oil offering a crisp crust and tender crumb.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 2 tsp fine sea salt
03 - 2¼ tsp instant yeast
04 - 1½ cups lukewarm water
05 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tsp sugar
→ Garlic & Herb Topping
07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced
09 - 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
12 - 1 tsp flaky sea salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, mix bread flour, fine sea salt, and sugar.
02 - Dissolve instant yeast in lukewarm water, then add to the dry ingredients along with ¼ cup olive oil. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead the dough by hand for 10 minutes or with a stand mixer for 5–6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Generously oil a 9x13-inch baking pan. Press the risen dough into the pan, spreading it evenly to the edges.
06 - Cover the dough loosely and allow it to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
07 - Set the oven temperature to 430°F (220°C).
08 - Warm 3 tablespoons olive oil with minced garlic over low heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, avoiding browning. Remove from heat and stir in chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley.
09 - Press fingertips into the dough's surface to create dimples. Evenly spoon the herb garlic oil over the dough, pushing some oil into the dimples. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
10 - Bake for 22–25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
11 - Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- It’s like having a secret weapon for impressing friends with minimal fuss
- The crust turns golden and crisp while the inside stays super pillowy, which makes each bite feel like a little celebration
02 -
- Don’t rush the rising times—patience is the secret to that perfect airy crumb
- Letting the garlic warm gently in oil instead of browning it brings out a milder, sweeter flavor that pairs beautifully with the herbs
03 -
- Use room temperature water to activate the yeast gently and avoid killing it
- The olive oil in the dough plus brushing on top keeps the focaccia irresistible both in flavor and texture