Ingredients
Focaccia Muffins
- 1.5 pounds store-bought pizza dough
- 1/2 scant cup extra virgin olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and chopped
- Flaky salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: If time allows, place the pizza dough in a lightly greased bowl and allow it to come to room temperature to make it easier to handle.
- Divide the dough: Using a bench scraper or a sharp knife, cut the dough ball into 12 even slices. The cuts do not have to be perfect; handle gently to avoid overworking the dough.
- Oil the muffin pan: Pour 1 teaspoon of olive oil into each cup of a standard muffin pan to prevent sticking.
- Shape dough balls: Gently shape each piece of dough into rough balls and place them into the oiled muffin cups. Be careful not to deflate the air bubbles within the dough, as these create the light texture.
- Let dough rest and rise: Cover the pan with a towel and place it near the oven as it preheats to 400°F (204°C). The warmth will help the dough to rise.
- Prepare garlic and rosemary oil: Chop the garlic cloves and rosemary leaves finely. Heat the remaining olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Flick a small drop of water into the oil; once it sizzles, remove from heat. Add the chopped garlic and rosemary carefully and stir until the sizzling subsides.
- Apply flavored oil: Spoon a generous amount of the garlic and rosemary-infused oil over each dough ball, ensuring all the oil is used for maximum flavor.
- Dimple the dough: Using two fingers, press down into each dough ball to create characteristic focaccia dimples. This also helps the garlic and rosemary stick to the surface.
- Bake: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. If the tops brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning.
Notes
- Allowing the dough to come to room temperature ensures easier handling and better rising.
- Do not overwork or knead the dough too much to keep the airy texture.
- You can substitute fresh rosemary with dried, but reduce quantity accordingly to avoid overpowering.
- These focaccia muffins are best enjoyed warm and fresh from the oven.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian