Bake the Best Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
Introduction
Garlic Parmesan Focaccia is a flavorful Italian bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. Infused with garlic, parmesan, and herbs, it’s perfect as a snack, side dish, or appetizer.

Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for topping
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Step 3: Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Step 4: Grease a baking pan with olive oil and place the dough in it. Use your fingers to create dimples across the dough surface.
- Step 5: Drizzle olive oil over the dough, then sprinkle minced garlic, grated parmesan, and Italian herbs evenly on top.
- Step 6: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 7: Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, let the dough cold ferment overnight in the fridge.
- Add rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives for a delicious twist.
Storage
Store focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or regular oven to restore crispiness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Mix it directly with the dry ingredients and reduce the proofing time slightly, as it acts faster than active dry yeast.
How do I make the focaccia extra chewy?
Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for more gluten development, which gives the focaccia a chewier texture.
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Bake the Best Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including 1-2 hour rise time)
- Yield: 1 focaccia loaf (about 8 servings) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread recipe brings the classic Italian flatbread to your kitchen with a flavorful twist of garlic and parmesan cheese. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, topped with aromatic herbs and olive oil, this focaccia is perfect as an appetizer, side, or snack.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing and topping)
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 with the active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir everything together until a sticky dough forms.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size, which ensures a light and airy bread texture.
- Shape the Dough: Grease a baking pan generously with olive oil. Transfer the risen dough onto the pan and use your fingers to press and create characteristic dimples all over the surface of the dough.
- Add Toppings: Drizzle additional olive oil over the top of the dough. Evenly sprinkle the minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs (if using) over the surface to infuse the bread with rich flavor.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the baking pan in the oven and bake the focaccia for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool & Serve: Once baked, let the focaccia cool slightly to set before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy its savory, garlicky goodness.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, allow the dough to cold ferment overnight in the refrigerator.
- Variations such as adding rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives make excellent complementary toppings.
- Store leftover focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Focaccia, Italian bread, homemade focaccia, garlic bread, Parmesan cheese bread, easy focaccia recipe, savory bread

