If you love freshly baked bread, there’s no better way to indulge than with a warm, fluffy loaf of garlic no-knead focaccia. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. The best part? It requires absolutely no kneading! With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can enjoy a golden, crispy, and fragrant focaccia at home.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps to make the best garlic no-knead focaccia, plus some tips and tricks for making it extra delicious. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply treat yourself, this focaccia recipe is sure to be a hit!
What is Focaccia?
Focaccia is a popular Italian flatbread that’s soft, slightly chewy, and often topped with olive oil, herbs, and other delicious ingredients. It’s similar to pizza dough but thicker, making it a perfect side dish for soups, salads, or as a base for sandwiches.
While traditional focaccia recipes call for kneading, this no-knead version simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor or texture. You won’t need a stand mixer or even any strenuous handwork—just mix the ingredients, let the dough rise, and bake it to golden perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic No-Knead Focaccia:
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples like flour, water, yeast, and garlic. There’s no need for complicated ingredients.
- Minimal Effort: No kneading means you don’t have to spend time working the dough. Just mix, rest, and bake!
- Fluffy and Flavorful: Infused with garlic and olive oil, this focaccia is full of rich flavors and soft, pillowy texture.
- Versatile: Customize your focaccia by adding herbs, cheese, olives, or even sun-dried tomatoes to suit your taste.
Ingredients for Garlic No-Knead Focaccia:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for greasing and drizzling)
- 4-6 garlic cloves (finely chopped or smashed)
- Fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano) for topping
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
How to make Homemade Focaccia Bread:
- Activate the Yeast:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This step ensures that the yeast is active. - Mix the Dough:
Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until everything is combined into a sticky dough. The dough should be shaggy and rough—this is perfectly normal for no-knead bread. - Add Garlic and Olive Oil:
Stir in the chopped garlic and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the dough. - Let the Dough Rise:
Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. - Preheat the Oven:
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking sheet or 9×13-inch baking dish inside to heat up as well. - Shape the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured surface. Gently stretch and press the dough into a rectangle that fits your prepared baking dish. Don’t worry about making it perfect—imperfections add to the rustic look of focaccia! - Add Toppings:
Drizzle olive oil over the top of the dough. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and coarse sea salt for extra flavor. - Bake the Focaccia:
Transfer the dough into the preheated baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and crisp on the edges. - Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice into squares or strips and enjoy your homemade garlic no-knead focaccia!
Tips for the Best Garlic No-Knead Focaccia:
- Let It Rest: The longer the dough rests, the better the texture. If you have time, let the dough rise for up to 4 hours to develop more flavor.
- Experiment with Flavors: Add toppings like caramelized onions, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and texture.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly chopped garlic will give the focaccia a more intense flavor than pre-minced garlic. You will love this easy cheesy garlic bread recipe too!
- Olive Oil: Don’t skimp on the olive oil! It helps create that crispy crust and rich, flavorful interior. Use a high-quality olive oil for the best taste.
- Serving Suggestions: Garlic focaccia is perfect on its own, or you can serve it with soups (it is fantastic with our Cajun Potato Soup), salads, or as a sandwich base.
Making garlic no-knead focaccia at home is easier than you might think! With minimal effort and just a few simple ingredients, you can bake a delicious loaf of fluffy, garlicky bread that will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas. This recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a family meal, or just craving a comforting slice of homemade bread.
Give this no-knead focaccia recipe a try, and you’ll never want to buy store-bought bread again!
No-Knead Focaccia Bread Recipe
If you love freshly baked bread, there’s no better way to indulge than with a warm, fluffy loaf of garlic no-knead focaccia. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. The best part? It requires absolutely no kneading! With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can enjoy a golden, crispy, and fragrant focaccia at home.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for greasing and drizzling)
- 4-6 garlic cloves (finely chopped or smashed)
- Fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano) for topping
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This step ensures that the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until everything is combined into a sticky dough. The dough should be shaggy and rough—this is perfectly normal for no-knead bread.
- Add Garlic and Olive Oil: Stir in the chopped garlic and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Let the Dough Rise: Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat the Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking sheet or 9×13-inch baking dish inside to heat up as well.
- Shape the Dough: Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured surface. Gently stretch and press the dough into a rectangle that fits your prepared baking dish. Don’t worry about making it perfect—imperfections add to the rustic look of focaccia!
- Add Toppings: Drizzle olive oil over the top of the dough. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and coarse sea salt for extra flavor.
- Bake the Focaccia: Transfer the dough into the preheated baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and crisp on the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice into squares or strips and enjoy your homemade garlic no-knead focaccia!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 473mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 5g
The nutritional information provided for the recipes on this blog is an estimate and is based on standard ingredient portions. Actual nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods. For precise dietary needs or concerns, please consult a healthcare professional or nutritionist.
