This Parmesan focaccia bread is a deliciously soft and flavorful Italian bread, perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a snack on its own. The addition of Parmesan cheese adds a rich, savory note that elevates this classic recipe.
Making focaccia at home is straightforward and requires minimal ingredients. With a little patience for the dough to rise, you can enjoy freshly baked bread that fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.
Overview of Parmesan Focaccia Bread
Parmesan focaccia bread is a delightful Italian treat that combines a soft, airy texture with the rich flavor of Parmesan cheese.
This bread is perfect for pairing with soups, salads, or simply enjoying on its own.
The warm aroma that fills your kitchen while baking is an added bonus that enhances the overall experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this delicious focaccia, you’ll need a few basic ingredients.
All-purpose flour, instant yeast, and salt form the foundation of the dough, while warm water and olive oil help bring it all together.
The star of the show is the grated Parmesan cheese, which adds a savory depth to the flavor profile.
Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can be included for an aromatic touch, along with coarse sea salt for that perfect finishing touch.
The Dough-Making Process
Making the dough is a straightforward process that involves mixing the dry ingredients with warm water and olive oil.
Once combined, the dough will be sticky, so kneading is essential to develop its elasticity.
This can be done by hand or with a stand mixer, ensuring the dough becomes smooth and pliable.
After kneading, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm environment until it doubles in size.
This first rise is crucial for achieving the light texture characteristic of focaccia.
Shaping and Topping the Focaccia
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to prepare the baking pan.
Greasing the pan with olive oil ensures the focaccia doesn’t stick and adds flavor.
Gently punch down the dough and transfer it to the pan, stretching it to fit while creating dimples with your fingers.
Drizzling olive oil over the top and sprinkling it with grated Parmesan, herbs, and coarse sea salt will enhance the flavor and create a beautiful crust.
Baking to Perfection
After shaping, allow the dough to rise again for about 30 minutes.
This second rise helps achieve that airy texture.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and get ready to bake.
Once the oven is hot, bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes until it turns a lovely golden brown.
The result is a beautifully baked loaf that is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Serving Suggestions
After baking, let the focaccia cool slightly before slicing.
Serve it warm alongside a small bowl of olive oil for dipping, which complements the flavors perfectly.
Fresh rosemary sprigs can be added to the serving platter for an inviting presentation.
This focaccia can be enjoyed as a snack, an appetizer, or as a side dish, making it a versatile addition to any meal.
Its delightful texture and flavor will surely impress anyone who tries it!
Easy Parmesan Focaccia Bread Recipe
This focaccia features a light and airy texture, topped with olive oil, fresh herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. The recipe takes about 2 hours from start to finish, including rising time, and yields one large loaf.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped (optional)
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil, and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a baking sheet or a 9×13 inch pan with olive oil. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and transfer it to the prepared pan.
- Shape the Dough: Stretch and press the dough into the pan, creating dimples with your fingers. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, herbs, and coarse sea salt.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan with a cloth and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake: Bake the focaccia for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories: 180kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
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