Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread – A Savory Homemade Favorite
Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread is a soft, pillowy bread with a golden, crispy crust, infused with garlic and Parmesan. Perfect for dipping or serving with your favorite dishes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (excluding rising time)
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or chopped rosemary (optional)
Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture, and stir to combine. Drizzle in ¼ cup olive oil and mix until the dough begins to come together. If too sticky, add a bit more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Grease a large bowl with olive oil, place the dough in it, and cover with a towel. Let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan with olive oil. Punch down the dough to release air bubbles, then transfer to the pan and stretch to fit. Cover and let it rise for another 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Mince the garlic and prepare the Parmesan cheese. After the second rise, drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic, Parmesan, and herbs (if using). Use your fingers to create dimples in the dough.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
For added flavor, add fresh basil, thyme, or oregano to the dough.
Use Asiago or mozzarella instead of Parmesan for a different cheese variation.
For extra savory flavor, add sliced olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the dough.
To reheat, place the focaccia in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to warm and crisp it.
For a crispy crust, bake on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
