Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe

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If you’re craving a savory bite with a crispy crust and irresistible aroma, the Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These little muffins carry the soul of traditional focaccia bread with a delightful twist — perfectly portioned, wonderfully fluffy inside, and bursting with fresh rosemary and garlic flavor in every nibble. The combination of fragrant herbs, golden olive oil, and a buttery finish makes these muffins a standout snack or accompaniment that’s as comforting as it is impressive.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe keeps things straightforward with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create magic. Each element plays a crucial role, from the yeast’s rise power to the herbaceous punch that rosemary and garlic deliver, ensuring every muffin has that perfect balance of texture and taste.

  • Active Dry Yeast: This is what gives our dough that airy lift and soft crumb; instant yeast can be a quick substitute if you prefer.
  • Honey: A touch of natural sweetness feeds the yeast and adds subtle depth; you can swap for white sugar or maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option.
  • Warm Water: Must be warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it — think cozy bath temperature.
  • Bread Flour: Gives the focaccia muffins their chewy, satisfying bite, though all-purpose flour can work if that’s what you have.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors delicately, with regular salt as a fine alternative.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Infuses richness and keeps the dough tender; it’s a key flavor component here that’s hard to replace perfectly.
  • Butter: Melted for brushing on top to add golden shine and a buttery finish, with vegan butter as a suitable swap.
  • Finishing Salt: Coarse or flaky salt sprinkled on top adds beautiful texture and an ocean-fresh pop in every bite.
  • Rosemary: Fresh rosemary gives that earthy aroma and a woody, piney flavor that makes these muffins unforgettable.
  • Garlic: Four cloves of minced fresh garlic saturate the olive oil for an irresistible savory punch.

How to Make Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffamins Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by mixing the active dry yeast, honey, and warm water. Let this sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and lively — this signals your yeast is ready to work its magic transforming your dough into fluffy muffins.

Step 2: Form the Dough

Next, combine the yeast mixture with the bread flour and sea salt to build a rough but manageable dough. This simple foundation is where the heart of your focaccia starts to show.

Step 3: Add Olive Oil and Chill

Drizzle the dough with extra-virgin olive oil, folding it gently to distribute the richness evenly. Cover and then chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours — this slow fermentation deepens flavor and improves texture in a way that short-rise doughs just can’t match.

Step 4: Shape the Muffins

After chilling, let the dough warm up at room temperature for 30 minutes to take off the chill. Divide it into equal portions and shape these into muffin tins, which ensures your focaccia muffins bake up with even shapes and perfect thickness.

Step 5: Let Rise

Cover the muffin tins with a cloth and allow the dough to rise for about 2 hours until puffed and airy. This rise is where your muffins gain their signature lightness and softness inside.

Step 6: Infuse Rosemary and Garlic Oil

While the dough rises, gently heat extra-virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat and add minced rosemary and garlic. Let this infuse for around 5 minutes to extract all that lush herbal and garlic aroma that makes this recipe unforgettable.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to a sizzling 450°F (230°C). Once your dough has risen, use your fingers to poke little holes all over each muffin to create delicate dimples reminiscent of classic focaccia texture. Drizzle the infused rosemary garlic oil over the muffins and sprinkle them generously with finishing salt.

Step 8: Bake and Butter

Bake your focaccia muffins for about 20 minutes or until golden and crisp on top. As soon as they come out of the oven, brush each muffin with melted butter for a glossy, melt-in-your-mouth finish that’s pure bliss.

How to Serve Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe

Garnishes

A sprinkle of extra fresh rosemary or coarse finishing salt on top right before serving can elevate the presentation and add a fresh burst of flavor. A light drizzle of high-quality olive oil just before serving also adds a lovely sheen and mouthfeel.

Side Dishes

These focaccia muffins pair beautifully with hearty soups like tomato basil or lentil stew, alongside fresh salads packed with greens, olives, and tangy feta. They also make a perfect accompaniment to a cheese platter or charcuterie board, offering a rustic, flavorful vehicle for your favorite spreads and cheeses.

Creative Ways to Present

For an extra-special touch, slice the muffins in half and use them as a base for mini sandwiches stuffed with roasted vegetables, mozzarella, or prosciutto. You can also serve them warm with flavored butters or herb-infused olive oils for dipping — either way, they steal the show at any meal or gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the texture nice, though they’re best enjoyed fresh.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the muffins individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag. They can last up to a month without losing their delightful flavor and texture. Simply thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

To bring your focaccia muffins back to life after storage, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5–7 minutes or toast gently. This will revive their crisp exterior and tender crumb, nearly as good as fresh from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Absolutely! While bread flour gives you that chewy, sturdy texture perfect for focaccia muffins, all-purpose flour works well too with a slightly softer crumb. Just expect a small difference in chewiness but delicious flavor all the same.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply substitute the honey with maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener, and use vegan butter for brushing the tops. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.

Why do I need to chill the dough for 8 hours?

Chilling the dough for at least 8 hours slows fermentation, resulting in deeper, more complex flavors and a lighter texture. This patience pays off with a focaccia muffin that’s far superior to quick-rise versions.

Can I skip the rosemary or garlic?

You could, but rosemary and garlic are the stars of this recipe! You might try substituting other herbs like thyme or oregano if needed, but these muffins wouldn’t be quite the same without their signature flavor duo.

How do I know when the focaccia muffins are done baking?

The muffins should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Additionally, a thermometer inserted into the center should register around 200°F (93°C) for perfectly baked bread.

Final Thoughts

You simply have to try this Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe — it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug straight from the oven. Whether serving it as an appetizer, a side, or a snack, these muffins bring incredible flavor and comfort in every bite. I promise once you make them, they’ll become your go-to for unforgettable homemade bread moments.

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Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 41 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

These Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Muffins offer an unforgettable flavor with a perfect combination of fragrant rosemary, savory garlic, and a light, airy texture. Perfect for a snack or as a side to your meals, these muffins are made with simple ingredients and a slow, chilled dough for enhanced taste and texture.


Ingredients

Yeast Mixture

  • 1 packet Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 tbsp Honey (can substitute with white sugar or maple syrup for vegan option)
  • 1 cup Warm Water (warm but not hot to protect the yeast)

Dough

  • 4 cups Bread Flour (all-purpose flour can be used, but texture may differ)
  • 1 tbsp Sea Salt (regular salt can be substituted)
  • 2 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (other oils may be used but will change flavor)

Finishing Touches

  • 2 tbsp Butter (melted for brushing tops, vegan butter works too)
  • 1 tbsp Finishing Salt (coarse sea salt or flaky finishing salt is best)
  • 2 tbsp Rosemary (can substitute with thyme or oregano)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (fresh minced garlic is best for flavor)


Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Mix active dry yeast, honey, and warm water in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: Combine the yeast mixture with bread flour and sea salt to form a rough dough, incorporating all ingredients thoroughly.
  3. Add Olive Oil & Chill: Drizzle the dough with extra-virgin olive oil, cover it well, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to develop flavor and texture.
  4. Prepare for Rising: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into equal portions and place them into muffin tins, shaping as needed.
  5. First Rise: Cover the muffin tins with a cloth and let the dough rise for about 2 hours until puffed up.
  6. Infuse Oil: Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add minced rosemary and garlic, allowing the flavors to infuse for 5 minutes.
  7. Preheat Oven & Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Poke holes into the risen dough to create the characteristic focaccia dimples. Drizzle the infused oil over the dough and sprinkle with finishing salt.
  8. Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  9. Finish: Remove the muffins from the oven and immediately brush the tops with melted butter for a rich, glossy finish.

Notes

  • Warm water should be around 100°F (38°C) to properly activate yeast without killing it.
  • Allowing the dough to chill overnight helps develop deeper flavors and better texture.
  • If using instant yeast, skip the activation step and mix directly with dry ingredients.
  • Fresh rosemary and garlic provide the best aroma and flavor, but dried herbs can be used as a substitute.
  • Use a coarse or flaky finishing salt to add a pleasing crunch and burst of saltiness.
  • For vegan options, substitute honey with maple syrup and butter with vegan butter or olive oil.

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