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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
