Parmesan focaccia bread is so delicious and easy to make! Baked in a coating of olive oil and sea salt for a crispy crust and soft center. Slice for sandwiches or break and dip into olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.
You might also like our cheesy ranch and garlic bread twists!
Watch our step by step video!
Our focaccia bread recipe is an oldie but goodie. Originally shared in 2012, it was made with mozzarella and has been updated to reflect our revisions and updates, including a step by step video!
What is Focaccia Bread?
Focaccia bread is a flat oven-baked flat bread. We use our tried and true breadstick dough as a base, coat it in olive oil and bake until golden brown. Perfection! Focaccia can be made with fresh or dried herbs. I use dried herbs because that is what I usually have on hand.
NOTE: The parmesan cheese adds a nice flavor, but does not affect the texture of the bread. You can leave it out if you'd like without any negative results.
Parmesan Focaccia Bread
Our bread also includes a giant handful of fresh grated parmesan cheese mixed into the dough. This bread is so thick and fluffy. Perfect for dipping in balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil, soup (like our slow cooker Zuppa Toscana soup) or slicing in half and using for sandwiches.
Parmesan Focaccia Ingredients
(scroll to the end for a printable recipe)
Dough
- water
- honey
- yeast
- flour
- salt
- parmesan cheese, fresh grated
Pan Coating
- olive oil
Pour Over Topping
- olive oil
- water
- italian seasoning
- salt (kosher or coarse sea salt)
How To Make Focaccia Bread
- In a small bowl combine warm water, honey and yeast. Allow to proof 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt and parmesan cheese.
- Add yeast/water mixture and stir until combined. The mixture will be sticky.
- Dump dough onto floured surface. Sprinkle with enough flour to keep your hands from being sticky.
- Knead until a soft ball of dough forms (may need about ½ cup of additional flour).
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the bowl and place dough in bowl, turning to coat both sides. Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Punch down dough.
- Pour ¼ cup of olive oil onto a baking sheet, pizza pan or 9x13 baking dish.
- NOTE: This may seem like a lot and that you'll end up with a greasy bread, but you won't. You didn't add any oil to the dough when you mixed it up, you're adding it now--- just on the outside.
- Place dough onto pan, turn to cover both sides in oil. Press dough to fill pan. If making a round loaf of focaccia like I did, you'll want to press it into a 12" circle.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix water, oil and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Uncover dough and press your fingers into the dough, all around, to create dimples in the bread.
- Pour the water/oil mixture over the dough and sprinkle with a teaspoon or two of coarse salt.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Parmesan Focaccia Bread Printable Recipe
Parmesan Focaccia Bread
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. yeast
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
Pan Coating
- ¼ cup olive oil
Pour Over Topping
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1-2 teaspoons course sea salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine warm water, honey and yeast. Allow to proof 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt and parmesan cheese.
- Add yeast/water mixture and stir until combined. The mixture will be sticky.
- Dump dough onto floured surface. Sprinkle with enough flour to keep your hands from being sticky (about ½ cup).
- Knead until a soft ball of dough forms.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the bowl and place dough in bowl, turning to coat both sides. Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Punch down dough.
- Pour ¼ cup of olive oil onto a baking sheet, pizza pan or 9×13 baking dish.
- NOTE: This may seem like a lot and that you’ll end up with a greasy bread, but you won’t. Remember, you didn’t add any oil to the dough when you mixed it up, you’re adding it now— just on the outside. The dough will be coated and there may be excess on the pan and that is to be expected.
- Place dough onto pan, turn to cover both sides of the dough in oil. Press dough to fill pan, about ½" thick. If making a round loaf of focaccia like I did, you’ll want to press it into a 12″ circle.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix water, oil and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Uncover dough and press your fingers into the dough, all around, to create dimples in the bread.
- Pour the water/oil mixture over the dough and sprinkle with a teaspoon or two of coarse salt.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Hallie says
This looks so yummy! Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Nancy says
I LOVE this bread/pizza!Thanks for posting the recipe.