Name: Bake the Best Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-490152H57M3S
Total time: PT-490152H57M3S
Cuisine: Italian
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; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated; 1 tsp Italian herbs (optional)

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Introduction

Garlic Parmesan Focaccia is a flavorful Italian bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside, infused with garlic and topped with savory Parmesan cheese. This easy recipe will guide you through baking the perfect focaccia at home, ideal for snacking or serving alongside meals.

The image shows a close-up of a golden-brown baked bread with a textured top layer that looks soft and slightly crispy. The bread has small round pieces of browned nuts or seeds scattered evenly across the surface. There are sprinkled white flakes resembling grated cheese or coconut on top, adding a bit of roughness and contrast. The overall texture of the bread looks fluffy with small pockets of air visible beneath the crust, and the color varies from light beige in the softer parts to deep golden in the crusty areas. The bread rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms.
Step 3: Cover the bowl with a towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 4: Grease a baking pan with olive oil and transfer the risen dough into it. Use your fingers to create dimples all over the surface of the dough.
Step 5: Drizzle olive oil over the dough, then sprinkle the minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and Italian herbs evenly on top.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Bake the focaccia for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: Allow the focaccia to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra depth of flavor, let the dough cold ferment overnight in the fridge before baking.
Add rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives on top for tasty variations.

Storage

Store the focaccia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or oven until warmed through to maintain crispness.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a golden brown focaccia bread with a rough, uneven surface showing multiple small puffy layers. The top layer is shiny and crispy with a rich yellow to light orange tint, sprinkled with small bits of shredded white cheese. Scattered across the bread are small, round, slightly charred pieces of what looks like roasted garlic or nuts, creating a rustic texture contrast. The bread's surface has small holes and cracks, emphasizing its airy inside under the crisp crust. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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. Use about 2 teaspoons and mix it directly with the dry ingredients without proofing it in water.

How do I keep my focaccia soft on the inside?

Make sure not to overbake and keep the dough well hydrated. Using olive oil generously also helps maintain a soft interior.