A recessed dielectric antifuse device includes a substrate and laterally spaced source and drain regions formed in the substrate. A recess is formed between the source and drain regions. A gate and gate oxide are formed in the recess and lightly doped source and drain extension regions contiguous with the laterally spaced source and drain regions are optionally formed adjacent the recess. Programming of the recessed dielectric antifuse is performed by application of power to the gate and at least one of the source region and the drain region to breakdown the dielectric, which minimizes resistance between the gate and the channel.