If you’ve ever bitten into a perfectly fluffy, golden piece of focaccia at an Italian restaurant and wished you could recreate that experience at home, this Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread recipe is your dream come true. With its pillowy interior, crisp olive-oil-rich edges, and heavenly garlic parmesan topping, this focaccia is everything bread lovers adore — aromatic, savory, rich, and beautifully textured.

Focaccia may look fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple. The magic lies in the dough’s long hydration time, olive oil, and the signature “dimpling” process that gives the bread its iconic appearance. When infused with garlic and parmesan cheese, you get a bakery-level masterpiece that’s perfect as a side dish, appetizer, sandwich base, or even a snack on its own.

This recipe is incredibly versatile and wonderfully forgiving, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. Whether you’re preparing an Italian dinner, building a charcuterie board, or simply craving fresh bread, this focaccia recipe delivers every time.

Why This Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Works So Well

1. Olive oil makes everything luxurious

Extra-virgin olive oil gives focaccia richness, crisp edges, and unbeatable flavor.

2. The dough is high-hydration

Which results in a light, soft, cloud-like crumb.

3. Garlic butter and parmesan elevate it

This is restaurant-level flavor—bold, aromatic, and addictive.

4. Perfect for beginners

Simple steps, forgiving dough, and effortless baking.

5. Pairs with almost anything

Soups, salads, pasta, cheese boards, sandwiches — it’s incredibly versatile.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup olive oil (plus extra for the pan)

For the Garlic Parmesan Topping

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp flaky salt (for topping)
• Optional: fresh rosemary or parsley

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast.
   In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix the dough.
   Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead lightly.
   Knead for 3–4 minutes until smooth. This dough should be soft and sticky.
4. First rise.
   Cover with a towel and let rise 1 hour until doubled in size.
5. Prepare the pan.
   Drizzle olive oil generously on a sheet pan or 9×13 dish.
6. Transfer the dough.
   Place dough onto the oiled pan, stretching gently toward the edges.
7. Second rise.
   Cover and let rise 20–30 minutes.
8. Make the garlic topping.
   Combine melted butter, olive oil, garlic, parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
9. Dimple the dough.
   With oiled fingers, press deep dimples all over the dough.
10. Add the topping.
    Spoon the garlic parmesan mixture evenly over the surface.
11. Bake.
    Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden and crisp around the edges.
12. Finish.
    Sprinkle with flaky salt and fresh herbs.
13. Cool slightly and serve warm.

Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread

A fluffy, golden focaccia topped with garlic butter, parmesan, and herbs. Crispy on the edges, soft inside, and incredibly flavorful.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 12 squares

Course: Bread, Side

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 250

Ingredients

  

Dough

• 3.5 cups flour all-purpose
• 1.5 cups water warm
• 2.25 tsp instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 cup olive oil

Garlic Parmesan Topping

• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 0.25 cup butter melted
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 cup parmesan freshly grated
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp flaky salt

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Sheet pan or baking dish
• Measuring cups
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar; let sit 5 minutes.
2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil; mix to form dough.
3. Knead lightly for 3–4 minutes.
4. Cover and rise 1 hour.
5. Oil a baking dish and transfer dough, stretching gently.
6. Rise 20–30 minutes.
7. Mix garlic, butter, olive oil, parmesan, and seasoning.
8. Dimple dough and spoon topping over surface.
9. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–22 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with flaky salt and herbs; serve warm.

Notes

Overnight rise increases flavor depth.

Tips for Making Perfect Focaccia

Oil is your friend

Use high-quality olive oil — the flavor matters.

Don’t skip dimpling

It creates pockets for garlic butter and prevents uneven rising.

Let it rise fully

A well-risen dough gives maximum fluffiness.

Use freshly grated parmesan

It melts and browns beautifully.

Try an overnight rise

The longer fermentation creates deeper flavor.

Flavor Variations

Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia

Swap parmesan for flaky sea salt and add fresh rosemary.

Cheesy Focaccia

Add mozzarella or asiago on top.

Tomato Basil Focaccia

Press cherry tomatoes into the dough and top with basil.

Caramelized Onion Focaccia

Add sweet onions before baking.

Sundried Tomato & Olive Focaccia

A perfect Mediterranean twist.

How to Use Garlic Parmesan Focaccia

• Sandwich bread (amazing with grilled chicken or veggies)
• Dipping with olive oil & balsamic
• A side for pasta or lasagna
• An appetizer on charcuterie boards
• Soup companion (especially tomato or creamy potato soups)
• Toasted as garlic bread

Storage & Reheating

• Room temperature: 2 days
• Fridge: 5 days
• Freeze: Up to 3 months
• Reheat: 5 minutes at 375°F for crisp edges