Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread is a flavorful Italian flatbread, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with aromatic garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh rosemary, and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, this homemade focaccia bread is simple to prepare and bakes to golden perfection.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- ¼ cup olive oil (plus extra for drizzling and brushing)
Toppings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
- Coarse sea salt for topping
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the warm water and ¼ cup olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a sticky dough forms.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough doubles in size.
- Prepare for Baking: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release trapped air, then transfer it to a well-oiled 9×13 inch baking sheet.
- Shape the Dough: Use your fingertips to gently stretch and press the dough evenly into the baking sheet, creating dimples all over the surface.
- Prepare Garlic Oil: In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Brush this mixture generously over the dough’s surface to infuse flavor.
- Add Toppings: Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dough, and, if desired, scatter chopped fresh rosemary on top for added aroma and taste.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough again with a towel and allow it to rise for another 20-30 minutes to enhance fluffiness.
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake the focaccia after its final rise.
- Add Final Touches: Just before baking, sprinkle coarse sea salt over the dough to add texture and burst of flavor.
- Bake: Place the focaccia in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bread cool slightly. Drizzle with extra olive oil if desired, slice into pieces, and serve warm for the best taste.
Notes
- Use warm water (not too hot) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Dimples on the dough help trap the garlic oil and toppings for enhanced flavor.
- Fresh rosemary is optional but adds a wonderful herbal aroma to the focaccia.
- Allow enough rising time for light, fluffy texture.
- This focaccia can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
- For a crispier crust, bake on a preheated baking stone or tray.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of the bread)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Focaccia, Italian bread, Garlic bread, Focaccia recipe, Homemade bread, Parmesan focaccia, Rosemary focaccia, Appetizer, Snack