Garlic Butter Herb Focaccia Muffins Recipe
These Garlic Butter Herb Focaccia Muffins are soft, fluffy, and bursting with flavors of garlic, fresh herbs, and buttery goodness. Perfect as a savory snack or a side for soups and salads, these bite-sized focaccia muffins combine the classic Italian bread texture with a rich garlic butter topping, finished with Parmesan and fragrant herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Herb Topping:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and honey or sugar. Stir lightly and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare the dough mixture: In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the olive oil and the foamy yeast mixture, stirring until a soft dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the muffin tin: Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Shape the dough: Divide the risen dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place each ball into a muffin cup.
- Apply initial topping and rest: Mix together half of the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create the garlic butter herb mixture. Brush this onto the dough balls. Let the dough rest in the muffin tin for 10 minutes to relax and rise slightly.
- Preheat and bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish the topping: While the muffins are still warm, brush them with the remaining garlic butter mixture for extra flavor and moisture.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the warm focaccia muffins with grated Parmesan and freshly chopped rosemary or thyme. Serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
- The Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory note and slight crunch on top.
- Fresh herbs can be swapped or combined according to preference – basil and oregano work well too.
- These muffins freeze well; reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
Keywords: garlic butter focaccia muffins, herb focaccia, Italian bread muffins, garlic herb bread
