Description
This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread recipe delivers a fragrant, crispy, and golden crust with rich parmesan and garlic flavors. Perfectly soft on the inside with delightful herb-infused dimples, this easy homemade focaccia is ideal for serving as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a wonderful bread to bake for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup olive oil + extra for topping and greasing pan
Toppings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (optional; a blend of oregano, basil, thyme)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated and ready for use.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the yeast-water mixture. Stir until a sticky dough forms, ensuring all the flour is incorporated.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. Allow the dough to rise for 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Grease a baking pan generously with olive oil to prevent sticking. Transfer the risen dough to the pan and use your fingers to gently press it out evenly. Press your fingers into the dough to create dimples all over the surface; this characteristic texture helps hold the toppings and olive oil.
- Add Toppings: Drizzle additional olive oil evenly over the dimpled dough. Sprinkle the minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and the optional Italian herbs uniformly across the top.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the baking pan with the dough in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the focaccia turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become crispy.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes. Slice into portions and serve warm to enjoy the fresh, garlicky, and cheesy flavors to the fullest.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, consider cold-fermenting the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Customize your focaccia by adding toppings like fresh rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives for a unique twist.
- Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Focaccia, homemade focaccia, Italian bread, garlic bread, parmesan focaccia, easy bread recipe, herb focaccia
