Garlic Butter Focaccia Bread – Soft, Fluffy & Packed with Flavor

Homemade garlic butter focaccia bread recipe with fluffy dough, golden edges, and rich garlic-herb butter. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Focaccia

There’s something magical about fresh bread coming out of the oven — the golden crust, the irresistible aroma, the pillowy interior. Garlic butter focaccia bread is the perfect example of that magic. It’s rustic yet elegant, simple yet impressive, and the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.

This focaccia is infused with olive oil and garlic butter, creating a bread that’s fluffy on the inside, crisp on the edges, and bursting with flavor in every bite. The best part? You don’t need to be a master baker to make it. With a few simple ingredients and some patience during the rising process, you’ll have a tray of golden, garlicky focaccia that’s perfect for dipping, serving with pasta, or even making into sandwiches.

It’s:

• Fluffy & Tender – Thanks to high hydration and stretch-and-fold technique.

• Garlicky & Buttery – The garlic butter soaks into every dimple of the dough.

• Versatile – Perfect with soups, pastas, or just as a snack.

• Crowd-Pleasing – A side dish that always impresses at holidays or dinner parties.

Ingredient Breakdown

420 ml Warm Water

The liquid base for your dough. Warm water (around 100–110°F) activates the yeast, helping the dough rise properly. Using too hot water can kill the yeast, while cold water will slow fermentation.

1 tbsp Olive Oil

Olive oil enriches the dough, adds flavor, and helps keep it tender. Focaccia is known for its signature olive oil base, so don’t skimp on quality. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

1 tsp Honey

Honey adds a subtle sweetness and provides food for the yeast, helping it activate. You can substitute sugar, but honey adds depth and a slightly floral note.

1 ½ tsp Active Dry Yeast

The leavening agent that makes the dough rise. Active dry yeast should be dissolved in warm liquid until foamy — this ensures it’s alive and ready to work.

2 tsp Fine Sea Salt

Salt strengthens the dough’s structure, balances flavor, and ensures the bread isn’t bland. Sea salt dissolves easily into the dough.

4 cups Bread Flour

Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which creates more gluten and results in a chewier, sturdier bread. If you only have all-purpose flour, you can use it, but the texture may be slightly less chewy.

Garlic Butter Topping

2 tbsp Butter

Butter makes this focaccia rich, indulgent, and slightly nutty when baked. It balances the olive oil for a complex flavor.

2 tbsp Olive Oil

The olive oil ensures moisture, adds flavor, and helps the crust crisp beautifully in the oven.

6 Cloves Garlic, Minced

Fresh garlic is the star of the topping. When gently heated with butter and oil, it infuses the bread with aromatic flavor without burning.

2 tbsp Parsley, Finely Chopped

Parsley brightens up the topping and adds a pop of color. It also gives the bread a fresh, herby note.

Flaky Salt, for Garnish

Finishing with flaky sea salt (like Maldon) makes the bread sparkle with texture and enhances flavor.

Grated Parmesan (Optional)

Parmesan adds a salty, umami punch and makes the bread even more indulgent. It’s optional, but highly recommended for cheese lovers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the Dough

• In a large bowl, mix 420 ml warm water, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp honey.

• Stir in 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast and let sit for 2–3 minutes until foamy.

• Add 4 cups bread flour and 2 tsp salt. Stir until sticky and combined.

• Add a splash more water if needed — the dough should be slightly sticky.

2. Rest & Stretch

• Cover bowl with a towel and let rest in a warm spot for 15 minutes.

• Dip fingers in water, grab one side of the dough, stretch, and fold over the top.

• Repeat 8 times, rotating the bowl each time.

• Cover and rest another 15 minutes.

• Repeat the stretch-and-fold process again. Cover and let rise 1 ½ hours.

3. Shape the Dough

• Drizzle olive oil onto a sheet pan lined with parchment.

• Place dough on pan, form into a rectangle.

• Fold dough into thirds (like folding a letter), then flip seam side down.

• Cover and rest for another 1 ½ hours.

4. Make Garlic Butter

• In a saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter with 2 tbsp olive oil.

• Add 6 minced garlic cloves and cook gently 30–60 seconds (do not brown).

• Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley.

5. Dimple & Bake

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

• Uncover dough, stretch to fit pan.

• Pour garlic butter over dough. Use your fingers to massage it in and create dimples.

• Sprinkle with flaky salt (and Parmesan if using).

• Bake 18–20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

6. Serve

• Cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm as is or with dipping sauces.

Recipe Card

Garlic Butter Focaccia Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus rise time)
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 ½ hours (mostly resting)
Servings: 12 squares

Ingredients

Dough:

• 420 ml warm water

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp honey

• 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast

• 2 tsp fine sea salt

• 4 cups bread flour

Garlic Butter:

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

• Flaky salt, for garnish

• Grated Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix warm water, olive oil, and honey. Stir in yeast; let sit until foamy.

2. Add flour and salt; stir into sticky dough. Cover and rest 15 minutes.

3. Stretch-and-fold dough 8 times. Rest 15 minutes. Repeat stretch-and-fold. Rest 1 ½ hours.

4. Oil sheet pan with parchment. Shape dough into rectangle. Fold in thirds, flip seam side down. Rest 1 ½ hours.

5. Make garlic butter by melting butter and oil; add garlic 30 seconds, stir in parsley.

6. Stretch dough to fit pan. Pour garlic butter over top. Dimple with fingers. Add flaky salt (and Parmesan).

7. Bake at 425°F for 18–20 minutes until golden.

8. Cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.

Tips for Success

1. Hydration is Key – Sticky dough means fluffy focaccia. Don’t over-flour.

2. Use Quality Olive Oil – It’s a flavor driver here. Extra virgin is best.

3. Be Patient with Rising – Long rests = better flavor and texture.

4. Don’t Burn Garlic – Heat it gently in butter and oil. Burnt garlic tastes bitter.

5. Dimpling Matters – Massaging butter into the dough creates flavor pockets.

Variations

• Cheesy Focaccia: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Parmesan before baking.

• Herb Focaccia: Add rosemary, basil, or thyme to the garlic butter.

• Spicy Focaccia: Add crushed red pepper flakes to butter for a kick.

• Sweet Focaccia: Swap garlic butter for honey butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

What to Serve with Focaccia

• Dipping Sauces: Olive oil & balsamic vinegar, marinara, or pesto.

• Soups: Tomato basil, minestrone, or creamy potato leek.

• Pasta Dishes: Shrimp linguini, baked ziti, or chicken Alfredo.

• Sandwiches: Slice in half horizontally and use as bread for paninis.

Storing & Reheating

• Room Temp: Store in airtight container 2–3 days.

• Fridge: Up to 5 days (though texture may firm).

• Freezer: Wrap slices tightly, freeze up to 2 months.

• Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or toast slices before serving.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 210

• Fat: 7g

• Carbs: 31g

• Protein: 6g

• Fiber: 2g

(values vary depending on toppings)

Why You Will Love This Dish

Garlic butter focaccia is more than just bread — it’s an experience. The aroma that fills your kitchen, the golden dimples bubbling with butter, and the first bite of soft, garlicky goodness make this a recipe you’ll want to bake again and again.

It’s approachable for beginners yet impressive enough for seasoned bakers, making it a must-have recipe in any home kitchen. Whether you serve it with pasta, soup, or just a glass of wine, it brings warmth and comfort to any table.

Yield: 6

Author: CookSnapBake.com

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Garlic Butter Focaccia Bread

Homemade garlic butter focaccia bread recipe with fluffy dough, golden edges, and rich garlic-herb butter. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for any meal.

Prep time: 3 H & 30 MCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 3 H & 50 M

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 420 ml warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tsp fine sea salt
• 4 cups bread flour
• Garlic Butter:
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
• Flaky salt, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix warm water, olive oil, and honey. Stir in yeast; let sit until foamy.
2. Add flour and salt; stir into sticky dough. Cover and rest 15 minutes.
3. Stretch-and-fold dough 8 times. Rest 15 minutes. Repeat stretch-and-fold. Rest 1 ½ hours.
4. Oil sheet pan with parchment. Shape dough into rectangle. Fold in thirds, flip seam side down. Rest 1 ½ hours.
5. Make garlic butter by melting butter and oil; add garlic 30 seconds, stir in parsley.
6. Stretch dough to fit pan. Pour garlic butter over top. Dimple with fingers. Add flaky salt (and Parmesan).
7. Bake at 425°F for 18–20 minutes until golden.
8. Cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.

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If you loved this Garlic Butter Focaccia Bread, you’ll also want to try my Burrata & Pancetta Ravioli Bake and Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs for a complete Italian-inspired dinner menu. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for weekly recipes, kitchen tips, and themed dinner night inspiration straight to your inbox!