Description
Rustic Garlic Rosemary Skillet Bread: Deliciously savory bread baked in a skillet with fresh garlic and fragrant rosemary. Comforting and easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoons (7g) instant yeast (one standard packet)
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 4–6 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1½ cups (355ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for subtle sweetness)
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Step 1: Activate the yeast mixture In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water (110°F/43°C) with honey and instant yeast. Allow this mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant, indicating the yeast is active. This step ensures your Rustic Garlic Rosemary Skillet Bread will rise properly and develop that beautiful interior structure.
- Step 2: Create the dough Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the yeast mixture, then mix in the minced garlic and chopped rosemary. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. The dough will seem quite wet compared to traditional bread dough – this is exactly what you want for a rustic texture.
- Step 3: First rise Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, approximately 1-1½ hours. The ideal rising temperature is around 75-80°F. If your kitchen is cool, you can create a warm environment by placing the bowl in an oven that’s been heated for just a minute and then turned off.
- Step 4: Prepare the skillet About 30 minutes before baking, place your cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). The skillet needs to be thoroughly hot to achieve that professional-quality crust on your Rustic Garlic Rosemary Skillet Bread.
- Step 5: Shape and second rise When the dough has doubled, gently deflate it by folding it over itself a few times with a spatula. Don’t knead it – we want to preserve those air pockets. Shape it into a rough ball with well-floured hands, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper. Let it rest for 30 minutes while your skillet continues heating.
- Step 6: Bake to perfection Just before baking, drizzle the dough with additional olive oil, then score the top with a sharp knife in a cross pattern. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven (use good oven mitts!) and lower the parchment paper with dough into the skillet. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and return to the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until deeply golden brown with a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
- Step 7: Cool and serve Allow your Rustic Garlic Rosemary Skillet Bread to cool in the skillet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. While it’s tempting to cut in immediately, this cooling period allows the crumb structure to set properly.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (estimated)
- Calories: 180 calories per serving (estimated)
- Sugar: 1g (estimated)
- Sodium: 375mg (estimated)
- Fat: 3g (estimated)
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g (estimated)
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g (estimated)
- Trans Fat: 0g (estimated)
- Carbohydrates: 33g (estimated)
- Fiber: 2g (estimated)
- Protein: 5g (estimated)
- Cholesterol: 0mg (estimated)