Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

Featured in: Cozy Breads & Sides

This Italian flatbread features a golden crust infused with fragrant rosemary and roasted garlic. The dough, made from bread flour, sea salt, sugar, active dry yeast, water, and olive oil, is kneaded until smooth and allowed to rise. After shaping and dimpling, it's topped with garlic-infused oil, fresh rosemary, and flaky sea salt before baking to a crisp, aromatic finish. Ideal for pairing with olive oil dips or as a flavorful base for sandwiches.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:30:00 GMT
Golden rosemary garlic focaccia bread with fragrant herbs and slices of roasted garlic.  Save
Golden rosemary garlic focaccia bread with fragrant herbs and slices of roasted garlic. | amberladle.com

A fragrant, golden Italian flatbread topped with fresh rosemary and roasted garlic. Perfect as a side, sandwich base, or snack.

This focaccia has always been a family favorite at gatherings. The aroma fills the house while baking, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Ingredients

  • Dough: 500 g (4 cups) bread flour, 2 tsp fine sea salt, 2 tsp sugar, 10 g (1 packet) active dry yeast, 325 ml (1⅓ cups) lukewarm water, 60 ml (¼ cup) extra virgin olive oil
  • Topping: 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced, 2 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, 1 tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a small jug, dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2:
Add yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour. Mix with a wooden spoon or hands until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 3:
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 4:
Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 5:
Meanwhile, gently heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a small pan. Add sliced garlic and sauté until just golden about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside with the rosemary.
Step 6:
Preheat oven to 220°C (430°F). Line a 30x40 cm (12x16 in) baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 7:
Punch down the dough and place it on the prepared sheet. Stretch and press it out evenly with your fingers.
Step 8:
Dimple the surface deeply with your fingertips. Drizzle with garlic-infused oil and scatter garlic slices and rosemary over the top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Step 9:
Let rise uncovered for 20 minutes.
Step 10:
Bake for 20 25 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Freshly baked focaccia bread topped with garlic, rosemary, and drizzled olive oil.  Save
Freshly baked focaccia bread topped with garlic, rosemary, and drizzled olive oil. | amberladle.com

Sharing this bread fresh from the oven has become a special family tradition capturing moments of joy and togetherness.

Notes

For extra flavor add sun-dried tomatoes or olives to the dough. Serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls Measuring cups and spoons Wooden spoon Small saucepan Baking sheet Parchment paper Kitchen towel

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten). Prepared in a vegetarian manner. Check yeast packaging for allergen traces if necessary.

Artisan rosemary garlic focaccia ready to enjoy, perfect for sandwiches or dipping. Save
Artisan rosemary garlic focaccia ready to enjoy, perfect for sandwiches or dipping. | amberladle.com

This focaccia is the perfect combination of fragrant herbs and a golden crust making every bite delightful.

Recipe FAQs

How do I achieve a fluffy texture in the flatbread?

Knead the dough thoroughly for 8–10 minutes to develop gluten, then allow it to rise until doubled in size for a soft, fluffy crumb.

What is the purpose of dimpling the dough surface?

Dimpling helps trap the garlic oil and toppings, ensuring even distribution and preventing large air pockets during baking.

Can I add other flavors to the topping?

Yes, sun-dried tomatoes or olives can be added to the dough or scattered on top for extra flavor.

How should the garlic be prepared to avoid burning?

Sauté sliced garlic lightly in olive oil until just golden to release flavor without bitterness before adding it to the bread.

What is the best way to store leftovers?

Store flatbread wrapped at room temperature for up to two days or reheat in the oven for a fresh texture.

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

Golden Italian flatbread topped with aromatic rosemary and roasted garlic, ideal for sandwiches or snacking.

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
25 min
Overall time
45 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Medium

Cuisine Italian

Makes 8 Serving size

Diet preferences Meat-free, No dairy

What you need

Dough

01 4 cups bread flour
02 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
03 2 teaspoons sugar
04 1 packet (about 2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
05 1 1/3 cups lukewarm water
06 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Topping

01 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
02 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
03 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
04 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare dry ingredients and activate yeast: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and allow to stand for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 02

Form dough: Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or hands until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 03

Knead dough: Knead dough on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 04

First rise: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm environment for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 05

Prepare garlic oil topping: Gently heat olive oil in a small saucepan. Add sliced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until just golden. Remove from heat and stir in rosemary.

Step 06

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Set oven temperature to 430°F. Line a 12x16 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 07

Shape dough: Punch down dough and transfer to baking sheet. Stretch and press dough evenly with fingers.

Step 08

Add characteristic dimples and toppings: Dimple dough surface deeply with fingertips. Drizzle garlic-infused oil over dough, then scatter garlic slices and rosemary evenly. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Step 09

Second rise: Allow dough to rise uncovered for 20 minutes.

Step 10

Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Equipment needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon
  • Small saucepan
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Kitchen towel

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten).

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 260
  • Fat content: 8 g
  • Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein amount: 6 g