Cheesy Garlic Focaccia (with Caramelized Onion and Herb variations)
Cheesy Garlic Focaccia (with Caramelized Onion and Herb variations)
Ingredients
For the Focaccia Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, (105-115°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for pan and drizzle
For the Caramelized Onion Topping (Option 1)
- 2 yellow onions, large, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for caramelizing onions
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced, for garlic oil drizzle
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for garlic oil drizzle
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped, for garnish
For the Garlic Herb Topping (Option 2)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Add the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and 1/4 cup of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 6-8 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min
- 3
Lightly grease a clean large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 90 min
- 4
While the dough is rising, prepare your chosen topping variation. If making the Caramelized Onion Topping: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until deeply golden brown and caramelized. Set aside to cool. For the garlic oil drizzle, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 minced garlic cloves and set aside.
⏱️ 40 min
- 5
If making the Garlic Herb Topping: In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh rosemary, red pepper flakes (if using), and 1/4 cup of olive oil. Stir well and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with olive oil.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and transfer it to the prepared baking pan. Using your fingertips, gently stretch and press the dough to fill the pan, creating characteristic dimples across the surface.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Apply your chosen topping. If using the Caramelized Onion Topping: Drizzle a little olive oil over the dimpled dough. Spread the cooled caramelized onions evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the onions. Carefully fold the edges of the focaccia dough over the onion and cheese filling, creating a somewhat enclosed layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the folded dough. Drizzle generously with the prepared garlic oil and dimple again with your fingers.
⏱️ 10 min
- 9
If using the Garlic Herb Topping: Pour the prepared garlic herb oil mixture evenly over the dimpled dough, ensuring it settles into the dimples. Sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
⏱️ 5 min
- 10
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the focaccia rise for a second time in a warm place for 20-30 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
⏱️ 30 min
- 11
Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If making the Caramelized Onion variation, garnish with fresh thyme immediately after removing from the oven.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 400
- 12
Let the focaccia cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cutting board. Slice into squares or strips and serve warm.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Garlic Focaccia (with Caramelized Onion and Herb variations)
Ingredients
For the Focaccia Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, (105-115°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for pan and drizzle
For the Caramelized Onion Topping (Option 1)
- 2 yellow onions, large, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for caramelizing onions
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced, for garlic oil drizzle
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for garlic oil drizzle
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped, for garnish
For the Garlic Herb Topping (Option 2)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Add the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and 1/4 cup of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 6-8 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min - 3
Lightly grease a clean large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 90 min - 4
While the dough is rising, prepare your chosen topping variation. If making the Caramelized Onion Topping: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until deeply golden brown and caramelized. Set aside to cool. For the garlic oil drizzle, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 minced garlic cloves and set aside.
⏱️ 40 min - 5
If making the Garlic Herb Topping: In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh rosemary, red pepper flakes (if using), and 1/4 cup of olive oil. Stir well and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with olive oil.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and transfer it to the prepared baking pan. Using your fingertips, gently stretch and press the dough to fill the pan, creating characteristic dimples across the surface.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Apply your chosen topping. If using the Caramelized Onion Topping: Drizzle a little olive oil over the dimpled dough. Spread the cooled caramelized onions evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the onions. Carefully fold the edges of the focaccia dough over the onion and cheese filling, creating a somewhat enclosed layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the folded dough. Drizzle generously with the prepared garlic oil and dimple again with your fingers.
⏱️ 10 min - 9
If using the Garlic Herb Topping: Pour the prepared garlic herb oil mixture evenly over the dimpled dough, ensuring it settles into the dimples. Sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
⏱️ 5 min - 10
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the focaccia rise for a second time in a warm place for 20-30 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
⏱️ 30 min - 11
Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If making the Caramelized Onion variation, garnish with fresh thyme immediately after removing from the oven.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 400 - 12
Let the focaccia cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cutting board. Slice into squares or strips and serve warm.
⏱️ 10 min