Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe

Introduction

Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread is a delightful twist on the classic Italian flatbread, combining tangy pickles, aromatic dill, and a cheesy topping. This savory bread is perfect as a snack or alongside your favorite meals.

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 (divided)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
• 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) shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Pour half of this oil mixture into the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
3. Step 3: Add all-purpose flour to the combined mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
4. Step 4: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Step 5: While the dough rises, prepare the garlic sauce by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, remaining minced garlic, dill weed, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir well.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
7. Step 7: Pour the remaining oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and use a pastry brush or your fingers to coat the bottom and sides evenly.
8. Step 8: Once the dough has risen, place it into the prepared skillet and press it out to the edges. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the dough surface.
9. Step 9: Spread the garlic sauce evenly over the dough. Arrange the dill pickle slices on top, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pickles.
10. Step 10: Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and browned.
11. Step 11: Remove from the oven and garnish with roughly chopped fresh dill before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a cast-iron skillet for the best crispy crust, but a rimmed baking sheet works as well.
• Substitute mozzarella with provolone or cheddar for a different cheese flavor.
• For extra tang, add a splash of pickle juice to the dough mixture.
• Top with sliced red onions or jalapeños for added bite.

Storage

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in a warm oven for a few minutes to restore crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this focaccia without sour cream and mayonnaise?

The sour cream and mayonnaise add moisture and tang to the garlic sauce, but you can substitute with Greek yogurt or a mixture of cream cheese and milk if needed.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh for garnish?

Fresh dill adds a bright, herbal note that complements the pickles well, but dried dill can be used as a substitute in a pinch. Add it sparingly as the flavor is more concentrated.

Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 138 reviews

This Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread is a savory, tangy twist on traditional focaccia, featuring a flavorful garlic sauce, slices of dill pickles, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, this bread combines the richness of sour cream and mayonnaise in the dough with a crisp, golden crust topped with fresh dill.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough 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
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 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

Garlic Sauce Ingredients

• 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 the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Prepare oil mixture: In a small bowl, mix the extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. This will add aromatic flavor and moisture to the dough.
3. Combine oil and yeast mixtures: Pour half of the oil mixture into the yeast mixture and stir gently to combine. Set the remaining oil mixture aside for later.
4. Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough begins to form.
5. Incorporate dairy: Add sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, and lemon juice into the dough mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a smooth, elastic dough.
6. Let dough rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
7. Prepare garlic sauce: While the dough rises, mix the minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl until well combined to form a flavorful garlic sauce.
8. Preheat oven: When the dough is ready, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
9. Prepare skillet: Pour the reserved half of the oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the skillet to prevent sticking and add flavor.
10. Shape and dimple dough: Transfer the risen dough into the prepared skillet. Press it out towards the edges with your fingers and create characteristic focaccia dimples by pressing your fingertips into the dough surface.
11. Add toppings: Spread the prepared garlic sauce evenly across the surface of the dough. Arrange dill pickle slices evenly on top of the sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pickles for a delicious, melted finish.
12. Bake the focaccia: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
13. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle fresh chopped dill over the focaccia for a burst of herbal freshness. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Ensure water temperature is between 105°F to 115°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet for the best crust texture and even baking.
• Adjust the number of dill pickle slices based on preference for tanginess.
• Fresh dill garnish adds both color and a fresh herbal aroma to the finished focaccia.
• Let the bread cool for a few minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set slightly for easier slicing.

Keywords: focaccia, dill pickle bread, garlic focaccia, savory bread, Italian bread, homemade focaccia, cheese bread, appetizer bread