If you’ve ever wished for a bread that bursts with tangy, herby, and cheesy goodness, you’re going to adore this Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe. It combines the cozy, airy texture of focaccia with the unexpected zing of dill pickles, making every bite an exciting adventure. This is not just bread; it’s a conversation starter, a snack that feels like a hug, and a brilliant way to brighten your dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role in bringing this Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe to life. From the warm yeast water that helps the dough rise beautifully to the fresh dill that adds a lively finish, every component matters.
- Warm water (1 cup): Essential for activating the yeast without cooking it, ensuring a perfect rise.
- Active dry yeast (1 teaspoon): The magic agent that makes your focaccia fluffy and light.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Feeds the yeast and adds a touch of subtle sweetness.
- Extra virgin olive oil (â…“ cup): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb and crispy crust.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A fragrant blend that infuses the dough with Mediterranean herbs.
- Minced garlic (2 teaspoons total): Brings savory warmth to the dough and sauce, layering flavor.
- Kosher salt (1½ teaspoons total): Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The backbone of your focaccia, giving it structure and chew.
- Sour cream (¾ cup): Adds moisture and a slight tang for a tender crumb.
- Mayonnaise (¼ cup): Helps keep the bread moist and adds richness.
- Whole milk (2 tablespoons): Softens the dough and enriches the texture.
- Lemon juice (1 teaspoon): Brightens the flavors with a hint of citrus.
- Dill weed (½ teaspoon): Infuses the sauce with fresh, herbaceous notes.
- Ground black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds a delicate spice that balances the tanginess.
- Dill pickle slices (25-30): The star ingredient delivering crunch and that unmistakable pickle punch.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Melts into gooey, golden goodness atop the bread.
- Fresh dill (for garnish): Adds a lovely vibrant color and fresh aroma just before serving.
How to Make Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dough
Start by combining warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Stir gently and let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes to bloom the yeast. This step is crucial—it guarantees a light, airy focaccia. Then, mix olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and salt separately. Pour half of this fragrant oil mixture into the yeast mixture and add your flour. Stir until combined, then transfer to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled, about an hour. The rising dough is what will give your focaccia that wonderful texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Sauce
While the dough is rising, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, salt, and pepper in a bowl. This creamy, tangy garlic sauce is where much of the recipe’s charm lives. It goes on top of the dough and infuses each bite with a perfectly balanced zest and herbaceous flavor.
Step 3: Preheat Oven and Prepare Your Skillet
Preheat your oven to a toasty 450°F (230°C). Pour the remaining olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to coat the bottom and sides—this ensures a golden, crispy crust that’s impossible to resist.
Step 4: Assemble the Focaccia
Once the dough has risen, press it into the prepared skillet, pushing it all the way to the edges. Use your fingertips to create those iconic focaccia dimples—these little pockets hold the flavorful sauce and olive oil. Spread the garlic sauce evenly on top, lay out the dill pickle slices in a single layer, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. This vibrant layering is what makes the Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe so irresistible.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the oven for 22-25 minutes, until the crust is delightfully golden and the cheese is bubbling with bits of brown. You’re aiming for a crust that’s crisp yet tender inside, with that rich cheese melded with tart pickles on top. It smells like heaven while baking!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
After removing the focaccia from the oven, sprinkle fresh dill over the top. This finishing touch adds a pop of color and a fresh, herb aroma that perfectly complements the tangy pickles and melty cheese.
How to Serve Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh dill is the star garnish, adding vibrant green flecks that make this bread look as incredible as it tastes. You can also add a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt for extra crunch or a dash of smoked paprika for a bit of smoky warmth if you want to personalize your focaccia.
Side Dishes
This Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe pairs beautifully with hearty soups like tomato bisque or creamy potato leek soup. It’s also fantastic alongside a crisp garden salad or tangy coleslaw, adding a pleasing contrast of textures and flavors to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the focaccia into squares and serving it as part of a snack board with charcuterie, cheeses, and pickled vegetables. It’s also perfect for sandwich bases—cut it horizontally and pile on deli meats, lettuce, and mustard for a truly elevated lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover focaccia tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Stored at room temperature, it stays soft and flavorful for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigeration unless your kitchen is warm, as that can dry out the bread.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe later, slice it and freeze the pieces in a zip-top bag. They’ll stay delicious up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature or pop them in the oven to refresh the crust.
Reheating
Reheat focaccia in a preheated 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes to bring back its crisp crust and warm, melty center. You can also toast slices in a skillet over medium heat if you’re in a hurry—both methods work wonderfully.
FAQs
Can I substitute the mozzarella cheese with another cheese?
Absolutely! While mozzarella offers a lovely melt and mild flavor, provolone or Monterey Jack also work beautifully. For a sharper taste, try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan on top before baking.
Is it necessary to use a cast-iron skillet for this recipe?
Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve that crispy crust and even baking, but if you don’t have one, a well-greased baking sheet or oven-safe pan will do fine. Just keep an eye on the baking time and adjust as needed.
Can I make the dough the night before?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise slowly in the fridge overnight. This not only fits well into busy schedules but also enhances the flavor through slow fermentation. Just bring the dough back to room temperature before assembling and baking.
What type of pickles should I use for the best flavor?
Dill pickles with a good crunch are key here. Avoid sweet bread-and-butter pickles as they change the flavor profile. Classic dill pickles, preferably sliced thinly, create that perfect balance of tang and texture.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe relies on all-purpose flour for its structure, so a direct gluten-free swap may affect texture and rise. However, experimenting with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast breads could work if you’re up for a baking adventure.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that feels both familiar and delightfully different, this Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe is your new best friend. It’s crunchy, cheesy, tangy, and utterly satisfying—exactly the kind of bread you’ll want to bake again and again. Don’t hesitate to dive in and share this irresistible focaccia with everyone you love!
Print
Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread is a flavorful twist on the classic Italian focaccia, featuring a garlicky sauce, tangy dill pickles, and melted mozzarella cheese baked to golden perfection. The bread is soft and airy with a delightful savory topping, perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Garlic Sauce Ingredients
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 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 shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated. In a separate small bowl, mix the olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Pour half of this oil mixture into the yeast mixture. Add the all-purpose flour and stir until combined. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the garlic sauce: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed to create a creamy garlic sauce.
- Preheat oven and prepare skillet: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Pour the remaining half of the olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and use a pastry brush to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the skillet with oil.
- Assemble focaccia: Transfer the risen dough into the prepared cast-iron skillet. Press the dough evenly to the edges of the skillet. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface of the dough, characteristic of focaccia bread. Spread the prepared garlic sauce evenly over the dough. Arrange dill pickle slices evenly on top and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over everything.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the focaccia crust turns golden brown and the cheese on top is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and garnish with roughly chopped fresh dill before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy bottom crust.
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with another melty cheese like provolone if preferred.
- Allow the dough to rise adequately for a lighter, airier focaccia texture.
- Fresh dill as garnish adds a bright flavor contrast but can be omitted if unavailable.
