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Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe

I can’t wait to share this Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe with you because it’s one of those hands-down winners I always turn to when I want that perfect blend of soft, aromatic bread with a crispy crust. The best part? It’s so simple that even if you’re new to baking bread, you’ll feel confident making these muffins in under an hour. Every single time, these muffins come out gloriously fluffy on the inside with that salty, herby goodness on top that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner party, need a tasty side for soup night, or just want to treat yourself to some homemade bread that’s beyond store-bought, this Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe fits the bill. It’s incredibly forgiving and doesn’t require hours of proofing or fancy equipment. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be a staple in your kitchen rotation.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Convenient Ingredients: Uses store-bought pizza dough to get you to fresh bread faster without sacrificing flavor.
  • Simple Yet Flavorful: Garlic and rosemary infused olive oil coat each muffin for an irresistible aromatic experience.
  • Perfect Texture: Minimal handling preserves air bubbles, resulting in soft, fluffy focaccia with a crisp exterior.
  • Adaptable and Quick: Ready in under an hour, great for last-minute gatherings or an easy everyday treat.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe plays a key role to create that classic focaccia flavor and texture, while keeping the process fuss-free. From the rich olive oil to the fragrant herbs, let me walk you through why I choose each one and what to look for when shopping.

  • Store-bought pizza dough: This is the shortcut hero! It’s perfectly elastic and airy, cutting your prep time drastically.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Use good quality for depth of flavor—it also keeps the muffins moist and golden.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves chopped finely bring that punchy taste that pairs effortlessly with rosemary.
  • Fresh rosemary: The leaves add an irresistible piney, fresh aroma—don’t skip fresh for this one.
  • Flaky salt: Sprinkled on top for bursts of crunchy, savory hits that elevate the bread.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe is how easy it is to customize to what you love. I often tweak the garlic amount or swap rosemary for other herbs depending on the season or mood. Feel free to make it your own—it’s all about what makes your kitchen happy!

  • Variation: Sometimes I add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top before baking for an extra cheesy crust that pairs beautifully with the rosemary.
  • Herb swap: If you’re not a rosemary fan, fresh thyme or oregano work great too and bring a lovely different twist.
  • Garlic intensity: If you love garlic like I do, feel free to toss in an extra clove or roast the garlic beforehand for a sweeter note.
  • Diet-friendly option: For a lower oil version, reduce the olive oil a bit but be careful not to sacrifice that classic moist focaccia texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Bring the Dough to Room Temperature

I always start by letting the store-bought pizza dough sit out in a lightly greased bowl at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This little step makes it so much easier to work with—trust me, this kind of dough likes to be patient. Also, it helps the dough relax so it rises beautifully when you bake it. Resist the urge to dive in too soon, or you’ll struggle shaping the dough.

Step 2: Portion and Shape Your Muffins

Use a bench scraper or a sharp knife to cut your dough ball into 12 even slices—don’t stress about precise sizing here; rustic is charming! Gently shape each piece into a rough ball, careful not to push out the air bubbles that make the focaccia so light and fluffy. Place each dough ball into an olive-oiled muffin cup so they don’t stick or dry out during baking.

Step 3: Rest the Dough and Prep the Topping

Cover your muffin pan with a towel and let the dough rest near the warming oven while you preheat it to 400°F. This little rest period is key for a fluffier texture because it gives the dough time to puff up a bit. Meanwhile, chop your garlic and strip the rosemary leaves from their stems, then give them a careful chop—fresh herbs like these really make the difference.

Step 4: Infuse the Olive Oil with Garlic and Rosemary

In a small pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil and give it the water sizzle test to know it’s ready—just wet your fingers and flick a small drop into the pan. When it sizzles, it’s time to remove it from the heat and stir in your garlic and rosemary. Keep stirring until the sizzling stops, and get ready to generously spoon this flavor-packed oil over your dough balls.

Step 5: Add Dents, Oil, and Bake

Using two fingers, press down on each muffin to create those signature dimples. This step helps the oil seep into the dough and makes sure the garlic and rosemary stick. Drizzle or spoon all your infused olive oil over the muffins, then sprinkle flaky salt on top to boost the texture and flavor. Pop the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 14-16 minutes. If the tops start browning too fast, just loosely cover with foil—it happens to me sometimes too!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe

  • Avoid Overworking the Dough: Keep handling minimal to preserve those precious air bubbles that give the muffins their soft texture.
  • Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the dough rest near the preheating oven is a game-changer for a light, fluffy crumb.
  • Be Generous with Olive Oil: It adds flavor, helps herbs stick, and creates a luscious crust, so don’t be shy!
  • Use Flaky Salt at the End: It adds bursts of salty crunch that perfectly complement the soft bread and garlic flavor.

How to Serve Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe

Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I like to finish these focaccia muffins with a little extra fresh rosemary or even a light drizzle of good olive oil right before serving—it makes them feel fresh and inviting. Occasionally, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a few red pepper flakes works great if you want to add a little zing.

Side Dishes

These are incredible alongside a big bowl of soup—think tomato basil or creamy butternut squash. I also love serving them with roasted veggies or alongside a salad for a simple weeknight dinner. Their herbal aroma pairs perfectly with anything Mediterranean or Italian-inspired.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served these focaccia muffins arranged on a wooden board with small bowls of herb-infused olive oils or balsamic vinegar for dipping. It makes for a stunning yet casual centerpiece that guests love digging into. You can even thread small rosemary sprigs through cocktail picks stuck into each muffin for a cute little touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the focaccia muffins have cooled completely, I like to store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap first to keep the moisture in and prevent them from drying out. They stay soft and taste delicious even the next day.

Freezing

If life gets busy, freezing is your friend! Just let the muffins cool, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag. I’ve frozen these for up to a month and found they thaw beautifully with no texture loss.

Reheating

To bring frozen or leftover muffins back to life, I like to warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. This brings back the crispy crust and soft crumb without drying them out. If you’re in a rush, a quick zap in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel works in a pinch but won’t be quite as crispy.

FAQs

  1. Can I use homemade dough instead of store-bought pizza dough?

    Absolutely! Homemade dough works wonderfully as long as it’s well proofed and has a light, airy texture. Just be mindful that prep time will increase since you’ll need to allow for rising time. The recipe is pretty forgiving, so if your dough is springy and easy to shape, you’re good to go.

  2. What can I substitute for fresh rosemary if I don’t have any?

    You can swap fresh rosemary with dried rosemary, but reduce the amount as dried herbs have a concentrated flavor. Alternatively, fresh thyme or oregano make excellent alternatives and provide a slightly different but still delicious flavor profile.

  3. How do I prevent the focaccia muffins from sticking to the muffin pan?

    Generously oiling each muffin cup with extra virgin olive oil is your best defense against sticking. Be sure not to skip this step! You can also use a non-stick spray or line with parchment rounds for extra insurance, but the oil also adds flavor so don’t skimp there.

  4. Can I make this recipe vegan?

    Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan as is—no dairy or eggs involved. Just double-check your pizza dough ingredients to make sure they don’t contain milk or other animal-derived products.

  5. Why are my focaccia muffins dense instead of fluffy?

    This usually happens when the dough is overworked or the air bubbles are pressed out during shaping. Be gentle when handling the dough, shape loosely, and allow it to rest before baking to encourage a lighter texture.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe is truly one of my all-time favorite shortcuts to fantastic bread. It’s fast, forgiving, and smells like a little slice of Italy right in your kitchen. Give it a try next time you want something impressive yet stress-free—once you make these, you’ll want to keep a batch ready to go for all your meals and gatherings. Baking with friends or family? This recipe’s warm, approachable vibe makes it a perfect crowd-pleaser you’ll all enjoy making and eating together.

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Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 46 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins are a delicious and flavorful twist on classic focaccia bread. Made with store-bought pizza dough, infused with garlic and fresh rosemary, and baked in a muffin pan, they offer a perfect crispy outside with a soft, fluffy inside. Ideal as a side dish or snack, these muffins come together quickly and bring a burst of Italian-inspired flavor to your table.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Dough and Oil

  • 1.5 pounds store-bought pizza dough
  • 1/2 scant cup extra virgin olive oil

Garlic and Herbs

  • 8 cloves garlic
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary

Toppings

  • flaky salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: If time allows, place the pizza dough in a lightly greased bowl and allow it to come to room temperature. Using a bench scraper or a sharp knife, cut the dough ball into 12 even slices, avoiding overworking the dough to preserve air bubbles.
  2. Oil the muffin pan: Pour 1 teaspoon of olive oil into each muffin cup of a standard muffin pan.
  3. Shape the dough: Gently shape each piece of dough into a rough ball and place it into the oiled muffin pan, taking care not to deflate the air bubbles. Cover the pan with a towel and let it rest near the oven while preheating it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to aid dough rising.
  4. Prepare garlic and rosemary: While the dough rests, chop the garlic cloves and remove the leaves from the rosemary sprigs, then chop the leaves finely. Set aside.
  5. Infuse olive oil: Heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Flick a small drop of water into the oil to test readiness; when it sizzles, remove from heat. Carefully add the chopped garlic and rosemary to the hot oil and stir until sizzling stops.
  6. Add flavored oil to dough: Spoon a generous amount of the garlic and rosemary olive oil mixture onto each dough ball, using all of the infused oil.
  7. Create dimples: Use two fingers to press into each dough ball to create dimples, helping the garlic and rosemary adhere better.
  8. Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 16 minutes. Loosely cover with foil if the tops start to brown too quickly.

Notes

  • Pizza Dough: Fresh pizza dough can be found in the refrigerated bakery section of most grocery stores. Canned pizza dough (like Pillsbury’s) can also be used as a substitute.
  • Avoid Overworking Dough: Preserving the air bubbles in the dough is important for fluffy focaccia muffins; avoid over kneading or handling the dough.
  • Rest Dough During Oven Preheat: Allowing the dough to rest and rise while the oven heats improves texture and flavor.
  • Be Generous with Olive Oil: Using plenty of olive oil adds rich flavor, helps the garlic and rosemary stick, and prevents muffins from sticking to the pan.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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