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A quick and easy recipe for homemade garlic butter focaccia bread, featuring a soft, chewy texture and a delicious garlic herb butter topping with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for beginners, ready in under 90 minutes, and great for any meal.

  • Total Time: 50-85 minutes
  • Yield: 1 9x13 inch focaccia loaf (approx. 8-10 servings) 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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)
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced or grated
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling and pan)

Instructions

  1. Make the yeast mixture: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups warm water with 2 tbsp honey or granulated sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle 2 tsp active dry yeast over the water, stir gently, and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Prepare and rise the dough: In another large bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and add 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Stir until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 3 hours.
  3. Make the garlic butter: Melt 1/2 cup salted butter in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and chopped parsley, simmer gently until fragrant, then remove from heat.
  4. Incorporate garlic butter and do second rise: Lightly grease your hands with olive oil, scrape down the dough from the bowl sides, pour cooled garlic butter over the dough, and using the ‘pick-up, stretch, and fold’ technique, turn the bowl and fold the dough about 8 times. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.
  5. Prepare the pan and do final proof: Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with olive oil and pour in 4 to 6 tbsp olive oil to coat the bottom. Transfer the dough gently into the pan, stretch to fill without tearing, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes.
  6. Top, dimple, and bake: After the last rise, sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the dough. Drizzle another 4 to 6 tbsp olive oil on top. Using oiled fingertips, press dimples all over the surface. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden and crisp.
  7. Cool, slice, and serve: Let the focaccia cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Use all-purpose flour for best results; bread flour can be used for a chewier texture., Instant yeast can replace active dry yeast in equal amounts; mix directly with dry ingredients if using., Honey can be substituted with granulated sugar or maple syrup; omitting sweetener may reduce yeast activation., Salted butter can be replaced with unsalted butter plus a pinch of salt or with olive oil for a dairy-free version., Fresh parsley can be substituted with dried parsley (2-3 tbsp) or other fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano., Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar, or omitted for dairy-free option, adding more herbs instead., Do not rush dough rising; it needs at least 1 to 2 hours to double for light, fluffy bread., Use warm water (about 100–110°F) for activating yeast to avoid killing it., Be generous with olive oil for a tender crust; drizzle on pan and dough surface., Preheat oven fully; adding a pan of water to create steam can help develop a crusty golden crust., Store focaccia at room temperature wrapped in a towel or bread box for up to 2 days, refrigerated up to 1 week wrapped tightly, or freeze up to 3 months., Reheat wrapped in foil in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or toast slices directly for a crunchy treat.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 30-60 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/10th of the loaf)
  • Calories: 390-420 per serving (based on 10 servings)
  • Fat: 20-22 g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: 42-45 g per serving
  • Protein: 5.5-6.5 g per serving