Introduction

Dill Pickle Focaccia Bread is a unique twist on classic focaccia, featuring a soft, airy crust topped with a creamy garlic-dill sauce, tangy dill pickles, and melted mozzarella. It’s perfect for pickle lovers looking for a flavorful and fun appetizer or main course.

A round baked dish in a black cast iron skillet lined with parchment paper, showing a thick melted layer of golden-brown cheese on top. Underneath the cheese, there are visible slices of green pickles spread evenly across the surface, each slice having a wavy edge and placed randomly. Small sprigs of fresh dill are scattered softly over the cheese, adding touches of bright green. The edges of the cheese are bubbly and slightly browned, with some areas thicker and creamier. The skillet sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Crust:

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
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour

Sauce:

¾ cup (172.5 g) sour cream
¼ cup (58 g) 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 (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
Fresh dill, roughly chopped for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let it rest for 5 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Pour half of this oil mixture into the yeast mixture and set the rest aside.
Step 3: Add all the flour to the wet mixture and stir until combined. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 4: While the dough rises, prepare the garlic sauce by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice, garlic, dill weed, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until well mixed.
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Pour the remaining olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and use a pastry brush to coat the bottom and sides evenly.
Step 6: Transfer the risen dough to the skillet and press it out to the edges. Use your fingertips to create dimples all over the dough surface.
Step 7: Spread the garlic sauce evenly over the dough, then arrange the dill pickle slices on top. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the pickles.
Step 8: Bake for 22-25 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and browned.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped dill before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use a cast-iron skillet for the best crust texture and even baking.
Try swapping mozzarella for sharp cheddar or gouda for a different flavor.
For extra tang, add a drizzle of pickle juice to the garlic sauce.
Fresh garlic can be substituted with garlic powder if needed.

Storage

Store any leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness and warmth.

How to Serve

The image shows a round dish baked in a black cast iron pan lined with brown parchment paper. The top layer is thick, bubbly, and golden-browned melted cheese with browned spots. Underneath the cheese, there are several slices of bright green pickles scattered evenly on the surface. Small sprigs of fresh green herbs, likely dill, are spread around the pickles. The edges of the dish have a slightly crispy texture where the cheese browned more. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pickles instead of dill pickles?

While dill pickles provide a distinctive tangy flavor that complements the bread, you can use regular pickles if preferred. Just know the taste will be milder and sweeter.

Is it necessary to use a cast-iron skillet?

Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy, evenly browned crust, but you can use a rimmed baking sheet or pizza pan if a skillet isn’t available. Just ensure to oil it well to prevent sticking.