There’s nothing quite like the zesty charm of a homemade bread that surprises you with every bite—that’s exactly what our Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe delivers! This focaccia combines the soft, airy texture you crave with the tangy punch of dill pickles and a luscious garlic dill sauce that’s utterly addictive. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for your next snack or meal accompaniment.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor Combo: The tangy dill pickles and creamy garlic sauce perfectly complement the soft focaccia base.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand, making it a quick and satisfying bake.
- Versatile Snack: This focaccia shines as a side dish, appetizer, or even a unique sandwich bread.
- Impressively Moist & Cheesy: Mozzarella melted over pickles creates bubbly, gooey goodness that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this delightful Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe, you’ll pull together a handful of simple ingredients that each play an important role—warm water wakes up the yeast, olive oil infuses richness, and the dill pickles add that special tang. Plus, the garlic dill sauce ties everything together for a perfect bite every time.
- Warm water (105°F to 115°F): This temperature range is crucial to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Active dry yeast: The magic behind your focaccia’s rise and light texture.
- Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and gives focaccia that iconic moist crumb and crispy crust.
- Italian seasoning & garlic: Brings depth and a fragrant punch to the dough.
- Kosher salt: Essential for balancing flavors.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough’s structure.
- Sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice: These create the creamy, tangy garlic dill sauce that elevates the focaccia.
- Dill weed & minced garlic: Infuses the sauce with authentic dill pickle taste.
- Dill pickle slices: The star topping that brings the signature dill pickle crunch and zest.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts over the pickles, adding gooey, savory notes.
- Fresh dill: A beautiful garnish to enhance aroma and color.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Variations
The beauty of this Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe lies in its adaptability—you can easily customize it based on what you have or your flavor preferences. Don’t hesitate to get creative; each variation offers a new spin while keeping that irresistible dill pickle goodness intact.
- Swap cheeses: Try sharp cheddar or pepper jack instead of mozzarella for a different punch.
- Herb boost: Add fresh rosemary or thyme alongside the dill for extra aromatic layers.
- Spicy twist: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a few slices of pickled jalapeño for some heat.
- Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free flour blend designed for bread to make this friendly for gluten sensitivities.
How to Make Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate the yeast and prepare the dough
Start by dissolving sugar and yeast in warm water—this wakes up the yeast, creating those bubbles that let your focaccia become fluffy. Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, and salt for a richly aromatic mixture. Half of it joins the yeast blend, before folding in flour to build the dough. Cover your bowl and let the dough rise for about an hour until it’s doubled in size—patience here rewards you with incredible bread texture.
Step 2: Prepare the garlic dill sauce
While the dough is taking its beauty nap, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, salt, and pepper. This sauce is the secret weapon—creamy, tangy, and bursting with dill flavor that complements the pickles perfectly.
Step 3: Shape and top your focaccia
Preheat your oven to a hot 450°F and grab a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Brush the skillet with the remaining oil mixture—this ensures a golden, crispy crust. Press your dough out to the edges, making delightful dimples with your fingers. Spread your garlic dill sauce evenly atop the dough, layer on those tangy dill pickle slices, and cover it all with shredded mozzarella. This is the moment the magic begins.
Step 4: Bake to golden perfection
Slide your skillet into the oven and bake for about 22–25 minutes. Keep an eye as the focaccia transforms: the crust will crisp up beautifully and the cheese will bubble and turn a tempting golden brown. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh dill before slicing and serving.
Pro Tips for Making Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Dough Consistency: The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch but still manageable—too dry and your focaccia will be dense.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It helps yeast activate properly and creates a uniform dough.
- Don’t Skip the Dimples: Those little indentations trap the sauce and pickles beautifully, creating pockets of flavor.
- Cast Iron Skillet Magic: It builds crisp edges and keeps heat even, but if you don’t have one, a rimmed baking sheet will work in a pinch.
How to Serve Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh dill is the classic finish, adding a pop of vibrant green and an extra hit of herbal brightness. You might also sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top right after baking for an elegant, crunchy touch that elevates each bite.
Side Dishes
This focaccia pairs wonderfully with light, fresh dishes—think crisp salads with citrus vinaigrette or a bowl of tomato soup for dipping. It also makes an exceptional companion to smoked meats or charcuterie boards, where its tang balances rich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice it into thick squares for a rustic appetizer platter or cut into mini sandwiches using fresh deli meats and cheese for a crowd-pleasing party snack. For brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for an imaginative twist that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover focaccia tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to two days without losing its delightful texture and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, slice the focaccia and freeze in a sealed bag. When you’re ready, toast or warm slices straight from the freezer for a quick treat that tastes freshly baked.
Reheating
Reheat focaccia in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes to regain its crispy crust while keeping the inside soft and tender. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the bread chewy.
FAQs
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Can I use dill pickle juice in the dough or sauce?
Yes! Adding a tablespoon or two of dill pickle juice to the garlic sauce or even the dough can enhance the tangy flavor, but be cautious with salt levels as pickles and juice can be salty.
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What type of pickles work best for this focaccia?
Classic dill pickle slices are ideal for that authentic tang and crunch. Avoid sweet pickles as they alter the flavor profile significantly.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Replace the dairy in the sauce with vegan sour cream and mayonnaise, and use plant-based mozzarella or omit cheese altogether for a delicious vegan-friendly version.
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How long does the dough need to rise?
The dough should rise for about one hour, or until it has doubled in size; this step is critical for achieving a soft, airy focaccia.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to impress your friends (or just treat yourself!), this Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe is a must-try. It’s flavorful, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make. Once you bake it, I’m confident it’ll become a staple in your baking repertoire — trust me, you’ll be coming back for seconds!
PrintDill Pickle Focaccia Bread Recipe
This Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread blends the tangy zest of dill pickles with a flavorful garlic sauce on a soft, golden focaccia crust. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh dill, this unique bread offers a delightful twist on the classic Italian focaccia, perfect as a snack, appetizer, or accompaniment to meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 pieces
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup warm water, 105°F to 115°F
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (72 g) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
Sauce
- 3/4 cup (172.5 g) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (58 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Toppings
- 25-30 dill pickle slices
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Prepare Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, mix extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Pour half of this mixture into the activated yeast mixture and set the remaining half aside for later use.
- Make Dough: Add the all-purpose flour gradually into the yeast and oil mixture. Stir well until a smooth dough starts to form.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Garlic Sauce: While the dough rises, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, whole milk, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Preheat Oven: When the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- 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.
- Shape Dough: Place the risen dough into the coated skillet. Press the dough gently to spread it evenly to the edges. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface of the dough.
- Assemble Bread: Spread the prepared garlic sauce evenly over the dough’s surface. Arrange dill pickle slices across the sauce, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the focaccia crust is golden brown and the mozzarella cheese is bubbly and nicely browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and garnish with roughly chopped fresh dill. Slice into 8 pieces and serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature is between 105°F and 115°F for optimal yeast activation.
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with a vegan alternative to make it dairy-free.
- The cast-iron skillet helps to create a crispy crust but a baking pan can be used if unavailable.
- For a stronger dill flavor, add additional fresh dill to the sauce or as garnish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat before serving.
