The Best Garlic Parmesan Focaccia You’ll Ever Bake Recipe
This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia is golden, fluffy, and full of garlicky, cheesy goodness. With a soft inside, crisp edges, and a rich olive oil flavor, it’s the perfect side for soups, salads, or pasta — or simply delicious on its own!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinners
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing
Toppings
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme, optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy to ensure the yeast is active and ready for dough formation.
- Make Dough: Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture, then stir in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten for structure.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size, ensuring a light and airy texture.
- Shape & Top: Spread the risen dough evenly onto a greased baking pan. Use your fingertips to dimple the surface, creating signature pockets that will hold olive oil and garlic flavor. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and fresh herbs evenly over the top.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the focaccia for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are crisp, indicating that it is perfectly cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and optionally brush with extra olive oil for additional flavor and shine. Allow to cool slightly before slicing into squares or wedges and serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra flavor, mix minced garlic into the dough before the first rise.
- Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best taste and aroma.
- Let the bread cool slightly before slicing to maintain a soft, fluffy interior.
- Water temperature should be around 110°F to activate yeast without killing it.
- Do not skip dimpling the dough to create the characteristic focaccia texture and flavor pockets.
- Allow the dough to properly rise to avoid dense bread.
Keywords: Comfort Food, easy baking, focaccia, garlic bread, Homemade Bread, Italian recipes, Parmesan, quick bread recipe, savory bread
