Description
This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread recipe delivers a perfectly soft and fluffy Italian flatbread with a crispy golden crust. Infused with garlic, aromatic Italian herbs, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese, this focaccia is ideal as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. The recipe includes step-by-step instructions from activating the yeast, allowing the dough to rise, to baking the bread to golden perfection in the oven.
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
For the Toppings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size, ensuring a light and airy bread texture.
- Shape the Dough: Generously grease a baking pan with olive oil. Transfer the risen dough into the pan and spread it out. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface to give focaccia its distinctive texture.
- Add Toppings: Drizzle additional olive oil over the dough surface. Evenly sprinkle the minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs for added flavor.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the dough in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown and the crust feels crispy to the touch.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly in the pan before slicing. Serve warm, perfect as a standalone treat or alongside meals.
Notes
- For a deeper, more complex flavor, consider cold fermenting the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Experiment with toppings such as fresh rosemary sprigs, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives to customize the focaccia.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Focaccia, Italian bread, savory focaccia, garlic bread, parmesan cheese bread, homemade focaccia, easy focaccia recipe
