Focaccia Bread Recipe

Introduction

This dill pickle focaccia bread is a delightful twist on a classic Italian favorite, featuring a flavorful garlic sauce, tangy pickles, and melted mozzarella. Perfect as a snack or a unique appetizer, it’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water, 105°F to 115°F
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (72 g) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (172.5 g) sour cream
• ¼ cup (58 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon dill weed
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 25-30 dill pickle slices
• 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt.
3. Step 3: Pour half of the oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Set the remaining half aside for later use.
4. Step 4: Add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
6. Step 6: While the dough rises, prepare the garlic sauce by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
7. Step 7: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
8. Step 8: Pour the remaining oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush or your fingers to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the skillet.
9. Step 9: Add the risen dough to the skillet, pressing it out evenly to the edges. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface of the dough.
10. Step 10: Spread the garlic sauce evenly over the dough. Arrange the dill pickle slices on top, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over everything.
11. Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
12. Step 12: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped dill before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a cast-iron skillet for the best crust, but you can also bake on a greased baking sheet if needed.
• Feel free to substitute mozzarella with provolone or a mild cheddar for a different flavor.
• For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce.
• Make sure the water is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast; ideal temperature is between 105°F and 115°F.

Storage

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm slices in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can also be refrigerated for up to 4 days and warmed before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight. Just let it come to room temperature and rise before proceeding with the recipe.

What if I don’t have fresh dill for garnish?

You can use dried dill in the sauce or omit it altogether. Fresh dill adds brightness but the focaccia will still be tasty without it.

Focaccia Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 67 reviews

This tangy and savory focaccia bread features a soft, airy crust topped with a creamy garlic sauce, dill pickles, and melted mozzarella cheese, finished with fresh dill garnish. Perfect as a unique appetizer or flavorful snack, this recipe combines classic Italian bread-making with bold, fresh flavors.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 slices 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 1 cup warm water, 105°F to 115°F
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (72 g) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour

Sauce

• ¾ cup (172.5 g) sour cream
• ¼ cup (58 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon dill weed
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Toppings

• 25–30 dill pickle slices
• 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir well and let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is activated.
2. Mix Oil and Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix the extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. This mixture will flavor both the dough and the cooking skillet.
3. Combine Dough Ingredients: Pour half of the oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Add the all-purpose flour and stir to combine until a dough forms.
4. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
5. Prepare Garlic Sauce: While the dough is rising, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and well combined.
6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to prepare for baking.
7. Prepare Skillet: Pour the remaining half of the olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the skillet with the oil mixture.
8. Shape Dough: Transfer the risen dough into the prepared skillet. Press the dough evenly to the edges of the skillet. Use your fingers to create dimples across the surface of the dough to give it characteristic focaccia texture.
9. Add Sauce and Toppings: Evenly spread the prepared garlic sauce over the dough. Arrange the dill pickle slices on top of the sauce, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pickles.
10. Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
11. Garnish and Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped dill before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Make sure the water is warm but not hot to activate the yeast without killing it.
• If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a well-oiled 12-inch oven-safe pan or baking dish will work.
• For a crispier crust, bake a few extra minutes but watch to avoid burning the cheese.
• You can substitute dill pickle slices with bread-and-butter pickles for a sweeter flavor twist.
• Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in both the dough and sauce.
• Let the focaccia cool slightly before cutting to maintain the shape and toppings.

Keywords: focaccia bread, garlic focaccia, dill pickle focaccia, savory bread, Italian bread recipe, homemade focaccia, cheesy focaccia