Once you try this Artisan Garlic Parmesan Bread with its golden crust and cheesy, garlicky flavor, you won’t want to bake anything else.
I am by no means a “bread baker,” so when I say this recipe is easy and foolproof, I mean it! I can’t really call it no-knead because, technically, you knead in the garlic, cheese, and rosemary, but really it’s just mixing it in. It takes all of 5 minutes to prep the dough, and the rest is following a few steps. Then you have a delicious rustic bread on your hands with a soft chewy interior and a crisp golden exterior.
This Garlic Parmesan bread has quickly become a staple in our home. It goes great with soup, pasta, and just about any kind of roasted meat you can think of. We love adding a bit of my homemade garlic butter to it just to enhance all of the amazing flavors it already has baked into it.
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Bread
- The combination of garlic, parmesan, and herbs creates a burst of savory flavors with every bite.
- The straightforward steps make it accessible for both beginners and seasoned bakers.
- Loved by kids and adults alike, this Artisan Garlic Parmesan Bread is a sure hit at the dinner table.
Recipe Ingredients
- Garlic: Fresh or roasted, garlic provides a strong, distinctive aroma and flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: This aged cheese offers a sharp, nutty flavor and a slightly granular texture.
- Rosemary: Freshly minced rosemary provides an earthy, pine-like flavor and gives the bread an aromatic, herbal twist.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Bread
Step 1: Whisk the flour, salt, and yeast in a medium bowl. While stirring with a wooden spoon, gradually add the water, stir until incorporated. Mix the dough gently and form into a rough ball.
Step 2: Transfer to a large clean (ungreased) bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a draft-free area at room temperature until the surface of the dough is covered with tiny bubbles and the dough has more than doubled in size (This usually takes about 18 hours or so, however, it still turns out great with just 12 hours of rise time).
Step 3: When the dough is ready, place a Dutch oven into the oven and turn it on to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Allow it to heat in the oven for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Meanwhile, knead in minced garlic, ½ cup of cheese, and rosemary. Transfer the dough to a large square of parchment paper (big enough to cover the bottom of your Dutch oven). Lightly dust dough with flour, cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 30 minutes. Using a sharp knife, at a 90-degree angle, score an X in the top of the loaf. Each score mark should be about 3 ½ inches long and about ¼” deep. Using a mister, spray bottle, clean toothbrush, or pastry brush, lightly mist (or brush) the top of the bread with water.
Step 5: Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Place the shaped dough into it, cover, and return to the oven to bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes or until the top is nice and dark (but not burnt). Remove from the oven and transfer the loaf of bread to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to prevent a gummy crumb.
Expert Tips
- Optimal Moisture Retention: For the best moisture retention, slice your bread loaf from the center rather than one end. Store it in an airtight container with the two cut halves pressed together. Wrapping in plastic or foil helps keep the bread soft, but crusty artisan bread will lose its crisp crust
- Scoring Technique: When scoring the dough, be quick and decisive with your knife cuts. This allows the bread to expand freely in the oven and helps to control where it splits, improving the bread’s appearance and structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Dutch oven withstands high baking temperatures and distributes heat more evenly than a conventional oven. When the dough is placed inside the preheated Dutch oven, the steam created keeps the crust soft during the initial baking stages, allowing the loaf to expand into a tall, round shape. The steam also ensures a crackly, blistered crust that’s irresistible.
Ensure your yeast is fresh to guarantee it activates correctly. If using active dry yeast, it can be beneficial to dissolve it in a portion of the warm water with a pinch of sugar to kickstart fermentation.
Storage Info
STORE the freshly baked Parmesan Garlic Bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. It will stay good for up to 3 days at room temperature. To FREEZE, wrap it securely in foil and then place it in a freezer bag and it will stay good for up to 3 months.
To REHEAT, thaw it at room temperature if frozen, then warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore its crisp crust and warm center.
Artisan Garlic Parmesan Bread Recipe
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Ingredients
- 3¼ c. all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1 1/4 tsp. coarse kosher sea salt
- ½ tsp. active dry yeast
- 1½ c. + 2 tbsp. warm water
- 6 cloves garlic - fresh or roasted, minced
- 1 c. freshly grated or shredded parmesan cheese - divided
- 1/4 tsp. rosemary - freshly minced and (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, salt, and yeast in a medium bowl. While stirring with a wooden spoon, gradually add the water, stir until incorporated. Mix the dough gently and form into a rough ball.
- Transfer to a large clean (ungreased) bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a draft-free area at room temperature until the surface of the dough is covered with tiny bubbles and the dough has more than doubled in size (This usually takes about 18 hours or so, however, it still turns out great with just 12 hours of rise time).
- When the dough is ready, place a Dutch oven into the oven and turn it on to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Allow it to heat in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, knead in minced garlic, ½ cup of cheese, and rosemary. Transfer the dough to a large square of parchment paper (big enough to cover the bottom of your Dutch oven). Lightly dust dough with flour, cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 30 minutes. Using a sharp knife, at a 90-degree angle, score an X in the top of the loaf. Each score mark should be about 3 ½ inches long and about ¼” deep. Using a mister, spray bottle, clean toothbrush, or pastry brush, lightly mist (or brush) the top of the bread with water.
- Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Place the shaped dough into it, cover, and return to the oven to bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes or until the top is nice and dark (but not burnt). Remove from the oven and transfer the loaf of bread to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to prevent a gummy crumb.
Have you ever tried to add the garlic and rosemary when you initially mix the ingredients together?
Possibly the Parm too!
I have not, but that might be worth the try!
Can I use instant yeast?
You sure could!
Is it necessary to let is rise 18 to 12 hours
It does need time to rise. I haven’t tried making it, with less rising time.
Can I use the jarred minced garlic from Sam’s Club? U have that in my pantry! Thank you.
You sure could! Enjoy!
I used 2.5 cups of organic unbleached all purpose flour and 1 cup of organic light Red Fife flour. Left it to wo rise and develop flavour for 17 hours. Delicious! Thanks for the great recipe and the tips!
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing what you did! Sounds great!