Focaccia Muffins - Individual Focaccia Breads

Focaccia Muffins - Individual Focaccia Breads

The product links are affiliate links. I only link to products I've used and believe in.  If you are interested in one of the products, please consider purchasing through these links because I can earn a small commission.  It does not affect the price you pay, but does allow me to keep the website free of all those crazy ads on other sites. Thank you!

Let’s be honest, is there anything more satisfying than tearing into a warm slice of homemade focaccia? That glorious contrast of a crisp, golden-brown crust giving way to a soft, airy, and chewy interior... It’s pure carb perfection. The only drawback? Sometimes a whole sheet pan of focaccia is, well, a whole sheet pan. It’s a commitment.

But what if I told you that you could have all that focaccia magic in a perfect, personal-sized portion?

Enter the focaccia muffin.

I’ve been seeing these little golden beauties popping up everywhere, and my curiosity finally got the best of me. And let me tell you, I am completely, utterly obsessed. This isn't your typical sweet breakfast muffin. Oh no. This is savory, sophisticated, and ridiculously delicious.

Dough ready for the muffin tins

Think of it as focaccia’s cute, portion-controlled cousin (don’t you just love that!). You bake them in a muffin tin.  I have my Mom’s small 6-cup muffin ti, which is perfect for this because I’ve created this recipe for small batches.  If you don’t have a 6-cup muffin tin, you can use a regular 12-cup tin, or this is a great 6-cup tin from Nordic Ware.   You can also use the larger 6-cup muffin silicon mold or even (and I love this idea) bake them in aluminum tins to take to a dinner or picnic. Whatever pan you choose, the bonus is that every focaccia has more crust! You get a crispy, olive oil-fried bottom and a 360-degree golden edge, all while maintaining that pillowy soft center. Honestly, it is heaven!

For my first foray into this trend, I went classic. The heart of my focaccia muffins was a homemade rosemary garlic oil. The process alone is a sensory delight—the kitchen filled with the heady, comforting aroma of garlic cloves and fresh rosemary sprigs gently sizzling in golden olive oil. After whipping up a simple, high-hydration dough and letting it work its bubbly magic, it was time for the best part: the dimpling. Pressing your oiled fingers into each little puff of dough in the muffin tin is ridiculously satisfying.

A final, generous drizzle of that fragrant oil, a liberal sprinkle of crunchy, flaky sea salt, and into the oven they went. The result? Six individual, dome-topped marvels. They’re perfect for grabbing as a snack, serving alongside a bowl of soup, or building the most incredible mini-sandwiches.

Beyond the Classic Focaccia Muffin

While the rosemary, garlic, and sea salt combination is a timeless classic, the beauty of the focaccia muffin is its versatility. It’s a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are a few variations that are already swirling in my head for my next batch:

• The Tuscan Sun: Press a halved cherry tomato and a Kalamata olive into the center of each muffin before baking. Finish with a sprinkle of dried oregano.

• Cheesy Jalapeño Popper: Fold grated sharp cheddar and finely diced jalapeños into the dough. Top with a little extra cheese before it goes into the oven for a spicy, savory kick.

• The Sweet & Salty: Top each muffin with a small slice of prosciutto, a sliver of fresh fig, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze after baking. Perfect for an appetizer!

• Everything But The Bagel: Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning for a breakfast-inspired twist. Imagine these as the base for a mini egg sandwich!

• Pesto & Pine Nut: Swirl a teaspoon of basil pesto into the top of the dough and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.

  
  

Whether you're packing a picnic, looking for the perfect side to your pasta dinner, or just want to impress guests at your next gathering, this is the trend you need to try. They have all the rustic charm of a traditional focaccia in a convenient, shareable (or not-so-shareable) package.

Have you tried making focaccia muffins? What flavor combinations are you dreaming up? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Baking!

Jen Vondenbrink is a cooking, food, and lifestyle blogger at Appetite for Life since 2020.  Jen Vondenbrink has over 35 years of professional cooking experience apprenticing with local pastry and artisan bread makers, working for culinary innovator J. Bildner & Sons in Boston, as well as Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington. Jen Vondenbrink has published cookbooks such as Thanksgiving Recipes From Home, Fun Summer Recipes, and the Cozy Soup Cookbook.  Jen Vondenbrink also hosts the Appetite for Life Cooking Club, where members get insights to enhance their cooking.  Jen Vondenbrink offers cooking classes and cooking coaching, working one-on-one with people to strengthen their cooking knowledge and skills.