Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread is a fragrant, flavorful loaf perfect for complementing any meal or enjoying on its own. With a delightful crunchy crust and soft, chewy interior, this bread combines fresh herbs, garlic, and parmesan for a savory treat that’s easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water (about 100-110°F)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon butter (split for topping)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and instant dry yeast. Let it sit for about one minute until the mixture becomes foamy.
2. Step 2: Stir in the salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, and finely chopped garlic until everything is well blended.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups of flour and the grated parmesan cheese to the bowl. Mix to form a sticky dough.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the remaining flour while mixing until the dough turns soft and stretchy but not too dry.
5. Step 5: Lightly oil another large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough inside, cover it with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
7. Step 7: Gently punch down the risen dough, then divide it into two equal balls. Shape each into a round loaf and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Cover the dough loosely with a towel and let it rise again for 15-20 minutes.
9. Step 9: Brush half a tablespoon of melted butter over the tops of each dough round.
10. Step 10: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the loaves turn golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11. Step 11: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with butter or alongside your favorite soup.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the dough.
• Substitute fresh herbs for dried ones if available, but reduce the quantity slightly to avoid overpowering the dough.
• Brush the baked bread with garlic-infused olive oil instead of butter for a different but equally delicious topping.
• Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour to achieve a chewier texture.

Storage

Store the bread wrapped in foil or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, freeze the loaf wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a warm oven or toaster oven before serving to restore freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant dry yeast?

Yes, you can use active dry yeast, but you’ll need to proof it first by dissolving it in warm water with sugar for about 5-10 minutes until frothy before mixing it with the other ingredients.

What if my dough is too sticky to handle?

Add flour gradually, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough becomes soft but manageable. Avoid adding too much flour as it can make the bread dense.

Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 120 reviews

This Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread is a savory, aromatic loaf infused with a blend of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and garlic, enriched with grated Parmesan cheese. The bread is soft and fluffy inside with a golden, buttery crust, perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or as a flavorful snack.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 loaves 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water (about 100-110°F)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated

Topping Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter (split for topping)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for greasing)

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl. Let it sit for about one minute until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix herbs and garlic: Stir in salt, dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and finely chopped garlic until evenly blended into the yeast mixture.
3. Prepare the dough: Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl and mix to form a sticky dough. Gradually incorporate more flour while mixing until the dough becomes soft and stretchy but not too stiff.
4. First rise: Lightly oil a bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. Shape the dough: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide it into two equal parts and shape each into a round loaf. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Second rise: Cover the dough rounds loosely and let them rise again for 15 to 20 minutes until slightly puffed.
8. Apply butter topping: Brush half a tablespoon of melted butter over each dough round to help create a golden crust.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack, and let it cool slightly. Serve warm with additional butter or alongside soup for a delicious meal.

Notes

• If you don’t have instant dry yeast, active dry yeast can be used but activate it by dissolving in warm water and allowing it to foam for 5-10 minutes before proceeding.
• The amount of flour may vary slightly depending on humidity; add gradually to achieve a soft, elastic dough.
• Feel free to substitute dried herbs with fresh ones if available, though dried herbs provide a more concentrated flavor.
• For a crispier crust, bake the bread directly on a preheated pizza stone if available.
• Store leftover bread in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to refresh the crust.

Keywords: garlic parmesan bread, herb bread, homemade bread, garlic herb loaf, parmesan cheese bread