Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread : The Perfect Homemade Side Dish Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread is a flavorful homemade bread featuring a perfect blend of minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. This easy-to-make bread boasts a crispy crust and soft interior, making it an ideal side dish for Italian meals, soups, or as gourmet garlic toast.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary)
- Additional olive oil for brushing
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Mix Dough: Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms. Knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 5-6 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and leave it in a warm draft-free spot for 1-2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the Bread: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air. Shape it into a loaf or your preferred form and place it on a greased baking sheet or in a loaf pan.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh herbs until well combined.
- Add Topping: Brush the surface of the shaped dough generously with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the garlic-Parmesan-herb mixture over the top to ensure flavorful coverage.
- Final Rise: Cover the dough again and let it rise for an additional 30-40 minutes until slightly puffy. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing to retain its structure and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best melt and flavor profile.
- You can knead the dough by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer; it just requires a bit more effort.
- Dried herbs can be used in place of fresh herbs; use 1 teaspoon dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon fresh.
- Store bread in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure water temperature is around 110°F (45°C) for optimal yeast activation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
Keywords: Garlic bread, Parmesan bread, herb bread, homemade bread, Italian side dish, garlic herb bread recipe