Bake the Best Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Parmesan Focaccia is a fragrant, golden Italian bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. This easy recipe delivers rich flavors from garlic, parmesan, and olive oil—perfect as a snack or alongside your favorite meal.

A close-up view of a golden-brown focaccia bread with a rough, bubbly texture on top and small baked-in mushrooms scattered evenly across the surface. The bread has uneven, raised patches of dough with a slightly shiny, oily finish and is sprinkled with small flakes of white coarse salt or cheese, adding texture and contrast. The background features a white marbled texture, highlighting the warm tones of the bread. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water
  • ¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for topping
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Step 3: Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Step 4: Grease a baking pan with olive oil and transfer the dough into it. Use your fingers to create dimples across the dough’s surface.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle olive oil over the dough. Evenly sprinkle the minced garlic, grated parmesan, and Italian herbs on top.
  6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Step 7: Let the focaccia cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, let the dough cold ferment overnight in the fridge.
  • Add rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives for delicious variations.

Storage

Store the focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or regular oven to restore crispiness.

How to Serve

The image shows a golden brown focaccia bread with a bumpy and slightly rough texture on top. The surface has small round roasted garlic cloves embedded evenly across the bread, some showing a bit of charring. There are scattered small flakes of white sea salt over the browned bread, adding a slight crunch look. The bread looks soft and airy underneath the crust, with a shiny, oily finish giving it a fresh and warm appearance. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Since it doesn’t require proofing, you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients and use slightly less water.

How do I keep the focaccia soft the next day?

Store it in a sealed container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture. Reheating briefly will refresh its softness and flavor.

Print
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Bake the Best Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe


  • Author: Ella
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes (including rising time)
  • Yield: 1 large rectangular focaccia (8 servings) 1x

Description

This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread recipe delivers a buttery, crispy, and flavorful Italian flatbread infused with garlic and topped with savory parmesan cheese and optional herbs. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or accompaniment to your meals, the bread is made from scratch using yeast for a soft, airy crumb and baked to golden perfection.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup olive oil + extra for topping and greasing

For the Toppings

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then pour in the yeast mixture. Stir everything together until a sticky dough forms.
  3. First Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and place it in a warm spot. Allow the dough to rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size, developing a light and airy texture.
  4. Shape the Dough: Grease a baking pan generously with olive oil to prevent sticking. Transfer the risen dough into the pan and spread it out evenly. Use your fingers to press and create dimples all over the surface of the dough; these dimples help hold the toppings and give focaccia its signature look and texture.
  5. Add Toppings: Drizzle extra olive oil evenly over the dimpled dough. Sprinkle the minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs evenly across the top to infuse rich flavors throughout the bread.
  6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Bake the focaccia for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and crispy, and the parmesan topping has melted and lightly browned.
  7. Cool & Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool slightly in the pan. Slice into portions and serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, let the dough cold ferment overnight in the fridge to enhance the taste and texture.
  • Feel free to add additional toppings like fresh rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives to customize your focaccia.
  • Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: garlic parmesan focaccia, Italian bread, homemade focaccia, garlic bread, easy focaccia recipe

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