Zesty Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe for Foodies

Warm, fragrant focaccia with garlic parmesan dancing across its golden surface brings comfort straight from the oven.

bread lovers and home cooks adore this rustic Italian classic that turns simple ingredients into something magical.

Each bite promises a crisp exterior giving way to a soft, pillowy interior studded with aromatic herbs and sharp cheese.

The garlic parmesan focaccia bread elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal effort.

Clusters of roasted garlic and sprinkles of salty parmesan create irresistible pockets of flavor in every slice.

Baking this bread fills your kitchen with an incredible aroma that beckons everyone to gather around.

One taste and you’ll understand why this focaccia has become a beloved staple in kitchens everywhere.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and create a bread that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 22-24 minutes

Total Time: 10 hours 34 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 9

Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Ingredient List

• Flour: The foundation of the bread, select high-quality unbleached all-purpose flour for optimal texture and flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the bread's overall taste and helps control yeast activity during fermentation.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps develop gluten structure for a soft, springy texture.
• Instant Yeast: Essential for dough rising, choose fresh yeast for maximum rising power and consistent results.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and promotes beautiful golden-brown color during baking.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, moist crumb with a silky mouthfeel.

• Garlic: Brings bold, pungent flavor and creates an irresistible savory aroma.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, sharp notes and creates a crispy, golden crust.
• Italian Seasoning: Infuses Mediterranean herbs for complex, sophisticated taste profile.

• Maldon Flaked Sea Salt: Provides delicate crunch and enhances all underlying flavors with bright, clean saltiness.

Focaccia Baking Tools You’ll Need

• Glass bowl: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients and creating dough.
• Glass measuring cup: Essential for accurately measuring and mixing yeast mixture.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and combining dough.
• Plastic wrap: Necessary for covering dough during rising process.
• 8-inch round cake pan: Ideal for shaping and baking focaccia.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing garlic-Parmesan topping.
• Oven: Required for baking the focaccia to golden perfection.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning measurements.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Easily

• Dough Foundations

Mix flour and salt in a cozy glass bowl. Separately, wake up yeast with warm water and a touch of sweetness. Let the yeast mixture bubble softly for a moment, then gently fold into the flour until a shaggy dough forms. Tuck the dough into the refrigerator for a long, slow overnight rest.

• Dough Awakening

Rescue the chilled dough and drizzle olive oil into a round cake pan. Nestle the dough into its new home, tucking its edges underneath. Allow the dough to stretch and relax at room temperature for two tranquil hours.

• Flavor Explosion

Heat the oven to a toasty 450°F. Once the dough has plumped up beautifully, shower it with more olive oil. Use your fingertips to create gentle dimples across the surface, pressing down but not piercing through. Scatter a magical blend of garlic, Parmesan, and Italian herbs across the landscape. Sprinkle flaky sea salt for a final touch of sparkle.

• Baking Magic

Slide the pan into the oven, dropping the temperature to 425°F. Bake until the focaccia turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 22 minutes. The bread will emerge with a crispy exterior and a soft, dreamy interior that begs to be torn and shared.

Boost the Flavor of Parmesan Focaccia Bread

• Replace some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a slightly nutty taste that complements the garlic and Parmesan.
• If you're short on time, use a warm, draft-free spot in your kitchen to help the dough rise faster, cutting down the refrigeration and rising time.
• Fold extra shredded cheese directly into the dough before the final rise for pockets of melty goodness throughout the focaccia.

Serving Warm Garlic Parmesan Focaccia

• Flavor Companions: Pair this garlic parmesan focaccia with classic marinara sauce, warm olive oil for dipping, or fresh herb-infused hummus for a delightful appetizer experience.
• Mediterranean Meal Partner: Serve alongside grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad to create a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal that highlights the bread's rich, savory profile.
• Wine and Cheese Delight: Complement the focaccia with a light white wine like pinot grigio, or create a charcuterie board featuring soft cheeses, cured meats, and olives to enhance the bread's robust flavors.
• Brunch Showstopper: Transform this focaccia into a breakfast centerpiece by topping with soft scrambled eggs, fresh herbs, or sliced avocado for a luxurious morning indulgence.

Store Your Focaccia Without Losing Texture

• Fridge Fresh Tactics: Store your focaccia wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3-4 days. Keep it at room temperature to maintain its soft texture and delicious flavor.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Slice the bread into portions before freezing. Wrap each section tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen focaccia stays delicious for 2-3 months.
• Reheating Magic: Bring refrigerated or frozen focaccia back to life by warming it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Wrap in foil to prevent drying out and restore its original crispy exterior.
• Serving Suggestions: Perfect alongside pasta dishes, as a base for sandwiches, or sliced for appetizer platters. Crumble leftover pieces into salads or use as crispy croutons for added texture and flavor.

Rustic Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 10 hours 34 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade garlic parmesan focaccia bread delivers Italian bakery magic with crisp edges and pillowy center. Herb-infused olive oil and generous parmesan create irresistible flavor layers you’ll crave with every rustic slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 1/8 tsps instant yeast
• ⅔ cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 ½ tsps dried Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp granulated sugar
• Olive oil (for greasing and drizzling)
• Maldon flaked sea salt (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Base: Blend flour and kosher salt in a glass vessel to establish a foundational mixture for the bread.
2. Activate Yeast Mixture: Combine warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in a separate container, allowing the liquid to develop a foamy consistency that indicates yeast activation.
3. Create Dough: Merge the yeast liquid into the flour mixture, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until a smooth, cohesive dough emerges.
4. Cold Fermentation: Refrigerate the dough, securely wrapped in plastic, for a slow fermentation process spanning 8-12 hours to develop complex flavors.
5. Prepare Baking Vessel: Oil an 8-inch round cake pan thoroughly, then transfer the chilled dough, carefully smoothing and stretching it to create an even surface.
6. Proofing Stage: Let the dough rest and expand at room temperature for two hours, allowing it to relax and develop its characteristic texture.
7. Flavor and Texture Development: Drizzle olive oil generously across the dough, then create signature focaccia dimples by pressing fingertips firmly into the surface without fully penetrating.
8. Topping Application: Craft a robust flavor blend of minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, distributing it evenly across the dough’s surface.
9. Final Seasoning: Sprinkle Maldon flaked sea salt for an additional flavor enhancement.
10. Baking Process: Preheat the oven to 450°F, then reduce to 425°F when placing the bread inside, baking until the focaccia achieves a rich, golden-brown color in approximately 22-24 minutes.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Precisely: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
• Master Slow Fermentation: Refrigerator resting develops deeper, more complex flavor profiles and improves bread’s overall texture.
• Create Perfect Dimples: Use fingertips gently to create signature focaccia texture, maintaining consistent depth without tearing the dough.
• Control Baking Temperature: Start at 450°F then immediately reduce to 425°F for even browning and crisp exterior while maintaining soft interior.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22-24 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg