The Ultimate Soft and Crispy Artisan Bread
Experience the cozy aroma of warm Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread wafting through your home. This golden, dimpled masterpiece features a light, airy interior and a perfectly crisp crust topped with fragrant herbs. It is the ideal side dish for weeknight dinners, a gourmet base for sandwiches, or a stunning addition to your holiday grazing board. Best of all, this no-knead technique saves you precious time, allowing busy bakers to enjoy bakery-quality results without the stress. Simply mix, let rise, and bake your way to bread perfection! 🥖
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Rise Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Servings: 8 servings
📝 Ingredients List
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 cups warm water (lukewarm)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- Optional: Top with thinly sliced smoked chicken for a savory protein twist
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large mixing bowl
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 9×13 inch metal baking pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Mix your dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir with a spatula until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. ✨
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Pan Prep: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into your 9×13 pan. Gently transfer the dough to the pan, turning it once to coat in oil. Let it rest for another hour, allowing it to naturally stretch toward the corners.
- Dimple and Garnish: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Use your fingers to press deep dimples all over the dough. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and scatter the garlic, rosemary, and thyme over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 22-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy. Remove and sprinkle with flaky sea salt immediately. 🌿
💡 Pro Tips Section
- Storage: Wrap leftover focaccia tightly in plastic or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refresh in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Substitutions: If you prefer a meatier option, add diced smoked chicken or turkey bacon pieces before baking to get a deep, savory flavor profile.
- Flavor Boost: For a deeper garlic infusion, mix your minced garlic directly into the olive oil 10 minutes before drizzling over the dough.
Variations
- Tomato Basil: Press halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves into the dough before baking.
- Cheesy Garlic: Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan or mozzarella during the last 5 minutes of baking.
FAQ
Can I make this in advance? Yes! You can let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight for a deeper flavor profile before bringing it to room temperature and baking.
Why is my dough so sticky? Focaccia dough is famously high-hydration. This stickiness is exactly what creates those large, airy bubbles inside the crust!
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Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread
- Total Time: 160
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Experience the cozy aroma of warm Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread, a golden, dimpled masterpiece featuring a light, airy interior and a perfectly crisp crust. Topped with fragrant rosemary, thyme, and garlic, this artisan bread is the ideal side for weeknight dinners or gourmet sandwiches. With a simple, no-knead technique, you can achieve bakery-quality results in your own kitchen. It is perfectly vegetarian, easy to assemble, and provides a delicious, savory treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp kosher salt
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (lukewarm)
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Flaky sea salt for finishing
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast.
Add warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, stirring with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a 9×13 inch pan, transfer the dough, and turn to coat.
Let the dough rest in the pan for another hour to naturally stretch toward the corners.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Use fingers to press deep dimples all over the dough.
Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt immediately after removing from the oven.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refresh the bread in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore the crispy texture.
You can top the dough with thinly sliced smoked chicken for a savory protein boost if desired.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg