Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe

Introduction

Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread is a savory twist on the classic Italian flatbread. This recipe combines tangy dill pickles, creamy garlic sauce, and melted mozzarella for a unique and flavorful treat perfect for snacking or serving alongside 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) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 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 the flour to the wet mixture and stir until a dough forms. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While the dough rises, prepare the garlic sauce. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, remaining 1 teaspoon minced garlic, dill weed, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
6. Step 6: Pour the remaining oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or ovenproof pan. Use a pastry brush or your fingers to evenly coat the bottom and sides.
7. Step 7: Transfer the risen dough to the skillet. Press it out to the edges and use your fingers to create dimples across the surface.
8. Step 8: Spread the prepared garlic sauce evenly over the dough. Arrange the dill pickle slices on top, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over everything.
9. Step 9: Bake the focaccia in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and garnish with roughly chopped fresh dill before serving. Allow to cool slightly and enjoy warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce for a mild kick.
• Use fresh dill if possible, as it provides a brighter, more vibrant herb flavor than dried dill weed.
• Substitute mozzarella with provolone or gouda for a different cheese profile.
• To make ahead, prepare the dough and refrigerate overnight, allowing a slow rise for deeper flavor.

Storage

Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through and crusty again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pickles instead of dill pickles?

Yes, you can use sweet or bread-and-butter pickles, but keep in mind this will change the flavor profile, adding sweetness rather than the tangy dill taste.

Is it necessary to use a cast-iron skillet?

No, any oven-safe skillet or baking dish will work. The cast-iron helps achieve a crisp crust but other pans will still yield delicious results.

Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 116 reviews

This Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread offers a unique twist on traditional focaccia with a tangy garlic sauce and dill pickle slices layered under gooey mozzarella cheese. The dough is infused with Italian seasoning and olive oil, baked to golden perfection in a cast-iron skillet, and garnished with fresh dill for an herby finish. Perfect as a savory snack or side, this recipe blends the flavors of creamy garlic, sharp pickles, and melted cheese into a soft, dimpled bread.

• Author: Tim
• 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

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 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour

Garlic Sauce Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• ¾ cup (172.5 g) sour cream
• ¼ cup (58 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon dill weed
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Toppings and Garnish

• 25–30 dill pickle slices
• 2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Activate 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 together the extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. This will infuse your dough with flavor.
3. Combine Dough Ingredients: Pour half of the prepared oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Then, gradually add the all-purpose flour to the combined liquids, stirring until a dough forms.
4. Let Dough Rise: Transfer the dough into a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Prepare Garlic Sauce: While the dough rises, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, dill weed, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined.
6. Preheat Oven: Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure a hot environment for baking the focaccia.
7. Prepare Skillet and Dough: Pour the remaining half of the oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the bottom and sides with oil. Transfer the dough to the skillet and press it gently to fill the bottom and edges. Use your fingers to create classic focaccia dimples in the dough surface.
8. Assemble Toppings: Spread the prepared garlic sauce evenly over the dough. Arrange the dill pickle slices evenly on top of the sauce, followed by a generous sprinkling of shredded mozzarella cheese.
9. Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the focaccia crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
10. Garnish and Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and garnish with roughly chopped fresh dill before slicing and serving warm.

Notes

• Ensure your water temperature is between 105°F to 115°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy, golden crust on the focaccia.
• You can substitute dill pickle slices with bread-and-butter pickles or another favorite variety if preferred.
• Allow the dough to fully double in size for best texture and rise.
• For an extra herbaceous flavor, add fresh chopped dill into the dough or sprinkle on top before baking.
• This focaccia is best served warm but can be reheated the next day in a toaster oven for freshness.

Keywords: Dill Pickle Focaccia, Focaccia Bread, Dill Pickle Bread, Garlic Sauce Focaccia, Cast Iron Focaccia, Savory Bread