Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread recipe yields a warm, flavorful Italian-style bread featuring a crispy crust, fluffy interior, aromatic garlic, and savory Parmesan cheese, enhanced optionally with fresh rosemary for an herby note. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer, it’s simple to prepare with accessible ingredients and makes a delightful addition to any meal.
- Author: Kai
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- ¼ cup olive oil (plus extra for drizzling and brushing)
Toppings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
- Coarse sea salt for topping
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the warm water and ¼ cup olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until you form a sticky dough.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the dough: Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air and transfer it to a well-oiled baking sheet (approximately 9×13 inches). Use your fingertips to gently stretch and press the dough into the pan, creating dimples all over the surface.
- Prepare garlic oil: In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Brush this mixture generously over the surface of the dough.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the dough. If using, scatter the chopped rosemary on top.
- Second rise: Let the dough rise again for about 20-30 minutes, covered with a towel.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Final seasoning: Before baking, sprinkle the focaccia with coarse sea salt to taste.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil if desired, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure water is warm, not hot, to activate yeast without killing it.
- Dimpling the dough helps create the unique focaccia texture and holds garlic oil and toppings.
- For extra flavor, try adding olives or sun-dried tomatoes along with rosemary.
- Use coarse sea salt just before baking for a pleasant crunch and burst of saltiness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of recipe)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Focaccia, Italian bread, focaccia recipe, garlic bread, Parmesan cheese bread, homemade focaccia, easy bread recipe, rosemary focaccia