Easy Traditional Focaccia Recipe with Roasted Garlic
Focaccia is a beloved Italian bread that boasts a golden, crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. Infused with roasted garlic, it has a rich flavor that makes it irresistible. Many people cherish the aroma that fills their kitchen as it bakes, and the way it pairs perfectly with just about anything—soups, salads, or enjoyed simply with olive oil. This easy traditional focaccia recipe will have you impressing friends and family in no time!
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Estimated Calories: 320 per serving
Ingredients
- 500 ml water (2 cups)
- 6 g dry yeast (2 tsp)
- 20 g honey (1 tbsp)
- 1 tsp salt
- 40 ml olive oil (3 tbsp)
- 600 g all-purpose flour (4.5 cups)
- 25 garlic cloves (about 80 g)
- Olive oil (enough to cover garlic + remaining for roasting)
- 70 g softened butter (3.5 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1/3 tsp chili pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the water, yeast, honey, salt, and olive oil until dissolved.
- Gradually add the sifted flour to the mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- After the resting period, wet your hands and perform a series of folds: stretch and fold the dough over itself, then cover and rest for another 30 minutes. Repeat this process four times.
- While the dough is folding, place the garlic cloves in a baking dish, cover them with olive oil, and seal the dish with foil. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour or until the garlic is soft.
- After the final fold, let the dough rest for an additional 30 minutes.
- Grease a baking tray with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the tray, grease your hands, and gently stretch it to fit the tray.
- Cover the dough and let it proof for 1 hour, or until it’s very bubbly.
- In a blender, combine the roasted garlic with its oil, softened butter, parsley, granulated garlic, salt, black pepper, and chili pepper. Add any remaining olive oil to create a creamy sauce.
- Drizzle olive oil over the dough and use your fingers to create deep dimples.
- Spread the garlic sauce over the top and lightly dimpling it again.
- Bake the focaccia at 230°C (450°F) for 35–40 minutes or until it’s deeply golden.
- Brush the hot focaccia with extra garlic oil and let it cool slightly before serving.
Why This Recipe Is Popular
People search for this easy traditional focaccia recipe because it’s not only delicious but also simple to make at home. It’s perfect for gatherings, family meals, or just a cozy night when you want something comforting and aromatic.
Serving Suggestions
This focaccia is perfect for serving alongside a warm bowl of soup, a fresh salad, or simply as a snack dipped in olive oil. It also makes an excellent sandwich base for your favorite fillings.
Tips and Variations
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped in plastic wrap.
- Texture Tip: For an extra crispy crust, place a pan of water at the bottom of the oven while the focaccia bakes.
- Flavor Ideas: Add toppings such as olives, cherry tomatoes, or your favorite herbs before baking for varied flavors.
- Garlic Variation: If you love garlic, feel free to increase the number of cloves used or even add roasted garlic to the dough itself.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking.
FAQs
1. How long does focaccia stay fresh?
Focaccia is best enjoyed fresh but can last up to 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container.
2. Can I make focaccia ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it after the first rise. Allow it to come to room temperature before baking.
3. What can I use instead of garlic?
You can substitute garlic with herbs like rosemary or thyme for a different flavor profile.
4. Is focaccia vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly but can easily be made vegan by omitting the butter or using a plant-based alternative.
Try this easy traditional focaccia recipe today and enjoy the delightful taste and aroma of freshly baked bread in the comfort of your own home!
Traditional Focaccia with Roasted Garlic
A beloved Italian bread with a golden, crispy crust and a soft, airy interior, infused with roasted garlic for a rich flavor.
Dough Ingredients
- 500 ml water ((2 cups))
- 6 g dry yeast ((2 tsp))
- 20 g honey ((1 tbsp))
- 1 tsp salt
- 40 ml olive oil ((3 tbsp))
- 600 g all-purpose flour ((4.5 cups))
Roasted Garlic Ingredients
- 25 cloves garlic ((about 80 g))
- ml Olive oil ((enough to cover garlic + remaining for roasting))
Flavoring Ingredients
- 70 g softened butter ((3.5 tbsp))
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- Salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1/3 tsp chili pepper
Preparation
- In a large bowl, mix the water, yeast, honey, salt, and olive oil until dissolved.
- Gradually add the sifted flour to the mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- After the resting period, wet your hands and perform a series of folds: stretch and fold the dough over itself, then cover and rest for another 30 minutes. Repeat this process four times.
Roasting Garlic
- While the dough is folding, place the garlic cloves in a baking dish, cover them with olive oil, and seal the dish with foil.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour or until the garlic is soft.
Final Dough Preparation
- After the final fold, let the dough rest for an additional 30 minutes.
- Grease a baking tray with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the tray, grease your hands, and gently stretch it to fit the tray.
- Cover the dough and let it proof for 1 hour, or until it’s very bubbly.
Garlic Sauce Preparation
- In a blender, combine the roasted garlic with its oil, softened butter, parsley, granulated garlic, salt, black pepper, and chili pepper. Add any remaining olive oil to create a creamy sauce.
Baking
- Drizzle olive oil over the dough and use your fingers to create deep dimples.
- Spread the garlic sauce over the top and lightly dimpling it again.
- Bake the focaccia at 230°C (450°F) for 35–40 minutes or until it’s deeply golden.
- Brush the hot focaccia with extra garlic oil and let it cool slightly before serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped in plastic wrap. For an extra crispy crust, place a pan of water at the bottom of the oven while the focaccia bakes. Feel free to add toppings such as olives, cherry tomatoes, or your favorite herbs before baking. Increase the amount of garlic for a stronger flavor, or substitute garlic with herbs like rosemary or thyme for a different flavor profile. This recipe is vegetarian-friendly and can be made vegan by omitting the butter or using a plant-based alternative.
