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Garlic Herb Soft Muffins

Featured in: Bake Warm Breads and Pastries at Home

Turn traditional Italian focaccia into soft, individually portioned muffins with bold garlic and herb flavors. Overnight dough rests build deep flavors, while a fragrant topping makes them irresistible. They bake to a perfect golden crust with a tender, fluffy center. Finish with melted butter and flaky sea salt. Great with pasta, soups, or festive meals. Yields 12 muffins in 30 active minutes plus overnight dough prep.
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Updated on Tue, 06 May 2025 17:29:46 GMT
Golden muffins with herbs on top on a tray. Pin it
Golden muffins with herbs on top on a tray. | tastefullyrecipe.com

The mix of rosemary and garlic blends wonderfully in these golden muffin treats, filling your home with mouthwatering smells. When these Italian-inspired goodies come out of the oven, you'll love how they're crisp outside but soft and fluffy inside. Every muffin has just the right amount of herbs and garlic, making them a standout part of any dinner.

I've baked these too many times to count for our family Sunday meals, and now everyone asks for them. The little ones especially enjoy poking the dough with their fingers before we put it in the oven.

Picking Quality Ingredients

  • Active dry yeast: Gives you that lovely rise and keeps the inside nice and soft
  • Honey: Helps the yeast work while adding a hint of sweetness to the bread
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Adds true Mediterranean flair and helps create that special focaccia feel
  • Fresh rosemary: Packs way more punch than the dried kind ever could
  • High-quality flaky sea salt: Brings out all the tastes and adds a nice little crunch

Step-by-Step Baking Guide

Start the Dough:
Mix yeast with warm water and watch it turn foamy and sweet-smelling, Toss in flour and salt, mix until you've got a rough-looking ball, then pour some olive oil over it to make it rich, Let it sit overnight so it gets that amazing flavor you can't rush.
Form Your Muffins:
Put a little oil on your counter so nothing sticks, Split the dough carefully into equal pieces without being rough, Put each piece into a greased muffin tin spot.
Make the Flavor Oil:
Gently heat olive oil until it starts to smell good, Toss in your fresh rosemary and garlic to flavor the oil, Take it off the heat as soon as the garlic smells good so it won't turn bitter.
Finish and Bake:
Pour your flavored oil over each muffin, Watch them turn perfectly golden in the oven, Brush them with melted butter and sprinkle some flaky salt on top before serving.

Our family really goes crazy for the garlic in this recipe. We've noticed that fresh garlic soaked in oil makes a smell and taste that garlic powder just can't touch.

Delicious Serving Ideas

These tasty muffins go best with hearty Italian food. There's nothing better than using a warm muffin to soak up the last bit of tomato sauce on your plate. They're great for picnics too, way better than regular sandwich bread thanks to all those herbs. When we have holiday dinners, I put baskets of them at both ends of the table so nobody misses out.

A tray of muffins with a sprinkle of cheese on top. Pin it
A tray of muffins with a sprinkle of cheese on top. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Custom Flavor Options

You can switch up these muffins to match whatever you're eating. Try using fresh thyme instead of rosemary and add some caramelized onions for a French feel. Or go Mediterranean by adding cherry tomatoes and feta on top before baking. When I make them for kids, I often do half the batch with just oil and salt, which lets their simple goodness shine.

Storage Tips

These muffins stay fresh at room temp for a day if you keep them in a sealed container with a kitchen towel. To warm them up, splash with water and heat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes. You can freeze them for up to three months after they've cooled down. The trick to keeping them nice is letting them cool completely before you put them away.

More Ways to Enjoy

These aren't just side dishes - they make awesome appetizers too. Cut them in half, toast them slightly, then add fresh bruschetta or olive spread on top. In summer, we love them with grilled veggies, where they soak up all those smoky flavors and oils.

Watching Your Dough

Getting to know how your dough behaves matters more than following strict times. Look for clues that show it's ready. The dough should look puffy and be about twice as big during its final rise. If you poke it and it bounces back right away, it needs more resting time.

Temperature Matters

How warm or cool your kitchen is affects how your bread turns out. Cooler rooms mean slower rising but better flavor in the end. During hot summer days, use a bit less yeast so your dough doesn't rise too fast and lose flavor.

A tray of bread with herbs and cheese. Pin it
A tray of bread with herbs and cheese. | tastefullyrecipe.com

After making these muffins so many times in my kitchen, I've found that taking your time really pays off. The overnight sitting might seem like extra work, but it's what gives these that amazing taste and perfect texture we all want. Whether you're new to baking bread or you've been doing it forever, these muffins are both fun to make and even better to share with people you care about.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these muffins early?
Absolutely! Let the dough rise overnight in the fridge. You can also bake them earlier and warm them up before eating.
→ What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep them in a sealed container at room temperature for 2 days. To freeze, store for up to a month and reheat as needed.
→ What should I serve these muffins with?
They’re amazing with soups, pasta, or stews. Try them as appetizers with some balsamic and olive oil for dipping!
→ Can I switch up the herbs on top?
Yes! Replace rosemary with thyme, oregano, or sage. You can even mix several herbs for a custom flavor.
→ Why let the dough rest overnight?
Resting in the fridge overnight makes the flavors deeper and improves texture. Plus, it’s easier to knead the next day.

Garlic Herb Soft Muffins

Deliciously crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these herb-packed muffins are topped with garlic and rosemary for an extra kick.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 focaccia muffins)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base Dough

01 1 ¼ cups warm water
02 1 teaspoon honey
03 2 tablespoons Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel (or any flaky finishing salt)
04 1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (Saf brand preferred)
05 2 tablespoons butter, melted
06 2 ½ cups bread flour
07 2 teaspoons sea salt
08 ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, split into portions

→ Rosemary Garlic Topping

09 3 garlic cloves, minced
10 ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
11 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped finely

Instructions

Step 01

In a big bowl, mix honey, warm water, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and fragrant.

Step 02

Dump the flour and salt into your yeast mixture. Stir it all up using a spoon or spatula—your dough should be sticky yet stay together.

Step 03

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Gently flip the dough in the bowl so it's coated all over. Wrap the bowl in plastic and chill overnight (at least 8 hours)—it'll rise a lot.

Step 04

Next day, pour another 2 tablespoons of olive oil on the dough. Give it a quick knead in the bowl to flatten it a little.

Step 05

Move the dough onto an oiled surface and flatten it into a big rectangle. Split it into two equal halves, then cut each half into six pieces (you’ll end up with 12).

Step 06

Oil a muffin pan. Drop each dough piece into a tin—they don’t have to be perfect, just press them down to fit. Let them sit, covered, for 2 hours so they puff up.

Step 07

Warm olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat until it starts shimmering. Turn off the stove, toss in the rosemary and garlic, and swirl it around the pan for about a minute. If it browns too fast, transfer to a bowl right away.

Step 08

Set your oven to 450°F. Oil your fingers, then press deep dents into the dough in the pans—they should go all the way to the bottom. Scoop the garlic rosemary oil over each muffin evenly.

Step 09

Bake for around 20 minutes until they're golden and smell amazing. While they're still hot, brush on melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Notes

  1. Saf yeast is a great pick because it works really well every time.
  2. To make these vegan, swap the honey for white sugar or maple syrup.
  3. Bread flour gives the best result, but all-purpose can work if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big bowl for mixing
  • Muffin tray
  • Small skillet
  • Knife or dough scraper
  • Plastic wrap or lid

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes gluten (wheat flour)
  • Contains butter (dairy)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~