Easy Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
Easy Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
There’s something really special about making your own bread at home—especially when it’s soft, golden focaccia that smells like garlic and cheese. This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia is not just any bread—it’s so tasty, it can be the star of your meal!
🌿 What is Focaccia?
Focaccia (pronounced foh-kah-chah) is a type of Italian bread that’s soft inside and crispy on the outside. It’s made with basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and olive oil. What makes it special is how it’s topped—usually with herbs, garlic, and sometimes cheese. Our version uses roasted garlic and Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
❤️ Why People Love It
Focaccia is:
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Fun to prepare—you get to press the dough with your fingers!
- Full of flavor—thanks to garlic, herbs, and cheese
- Great for any time—as a side, a snack, or even sandwich bread
🕰️ Quick Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Serves: 12 slices
🧄 Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1½ cups warm water (not too hot!)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup olive oil (plus extra for greasing the pan)
For the Topping:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- Flaky sea salt, to taste
- Optional: black pepper or red pepper flakes
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
1. Wake up the yeast
Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast in a big bowl. Wait 5–10 minutes until it gets foamy.
2. Make the dough
Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Stir and knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes until it feels smooth and stretchy.
3. Let it rise
Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it sit in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
4. Get your pan ready
Oil a 9×13-inch baking pan. Press the dough into it and stretch to fit. Cover again and let rise for another 30–45 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C)
6. Add the topping
Heat olive oil and garlic in a pan just until it smells good (don’t let it brown). Pour it over the dough. Use your fingers to poke holes all over the top. Sprinkle Parmesan, herbs, salt, and optional pepper.
7. Bake the bread
Put the pan in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until it’s golden brown and crispy on the edges.
8. Cool and enjoy
Let the focaccia cool for 5–10 minutes. Slice and serve while still warm!
💡 Tips & Variations
- Make ahead: Let the dough rise overnight in the fridge for better flavor.
- Toppings: Try adding sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, or olives for more variety.
🏛️ A Little History
Focaccia is a very old bread. The name comes from Latin—panis focacius—which means “hearth bread.” People in ancient times cooked it on hot stones or in the ashes of a fire. It started in Italy and spread all over the world.
Regional Styles:
- Focaccia Genovese: A classic from Genoa with lots of olive oil and dimples.
- Focaccia Barese: From the south of Italy, with tomatoes and olives.
- Sweet Focaccia: In Tuscany, it’s sometimes made with sugar and raisins!
Today, focaccia is still loved by many and used in lots of ways—from side dishes to sandwiches. It’s even become popular online as “focaccia art,” where people decorate the top with herbs and veggies like a painting!
🧄 Why Garlic and Parmesan?
Traditional focaccia doesn’t always have cheese, but adding garlic and Parmesan makes it even more flavorful. Roasted garlic is sweet and soft. Parmesan gives a salty, nutty taste and gets crispy in the oven. Together, they make every bite delicious.
🧁 In Summary
Garlic Parmesan Focaccia is:
- Simple to make
- Full of bold, comforting flavors
- Great for any occasion
Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!