Delicious Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia

Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia

🌿 Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia — The Bread That Steals the Show

If bread could strut down a runway, this would be the one turning heads.

Some breads are humble. Some breads are fancy. And then there’s Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia — the bread that manages to be both rustic and elegant at the same time. It’s chewy, golden, dimpled with olive oil, and sprinkled with rosemary and parmesan that make your kitchen smell like an Italian bakery.

This is the kind of bread that doesn’t just sit on the side of the plate — it becomes the plate. Tear off a piece, dip it in olive oil, sandwich it with mozzarella and tomatoes, or just eat it warm from the pan (no judgment, I’ve been there).

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “tear it with your hands” focaccia fan, or do you slice it into neat squares?

Ben’s birthday was last month and he requested pizza for his dinner and that I make Foccacia bread. This was my first experience with it honestly. It turned out super good!

Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia

Ingredients

100 g active starter, see notes above
10 g salt
365 g water room temperature
500 g bread flour
2 teaspoons rosemary
2 tablespoons grated parmesan
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt

Directions

Place starter, salt, and water in a stand mixer with dough hook. Stir to combine.
Add flour. Mix until incorporated. Slowly add rosemary and parmesan while mixing.
Optional: After 30 minutes, perform one “fold” — pull dough up and into the center, turning the bowl until you’ve done 8–10 folds.
Drizzle dough with olive oil, rub to coat, and cover with a towel. Let rise at room temperature 4–18 hours, until doubled.
Oil a 9×13 pan with 2 Tbsp olive oil. Transfer dough to pan, folding envelope‑style into a rectangle. Turn seam‑side down. Rub top with oil. Let rise 4–6 hours, uncovered, until puffy.
Heat oven to 425°F. Oil hands and dimple dough with fingertips, stretching to fit pan. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
Bake 35–45 minutes until golden. Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving, Based on 12 Servings)

Calories: ~210
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 280mg
Total Carbs: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 6g

💡 Note: Calories vary depending on how generous you are with olive oil (and let’s be honest, we’re all a little generous).

Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

Olive Oil: Heart‑healthy fats that make everything taste better.
Rosemary: Antioxidants + that cozy herbal aroma.
Parmesan: Calcium and umami magic.
Sourdough Starter: Natural fermentation = easier digestion.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you love your focaccia herby, cheesy, or plain and simple?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Focaccia Success

Starter Strength: Make sure your starter is bubbly and active for the best rise.
Patience Pays: Long fermentation = better flavor.
Oil Generously: Olive oil is your friend — it prevents sticking and adds flavor.
Dimpling Trick: Use all ten fingers like you’re playing piano.
Cooling Time: Let it rest before slicing (I know, it’s hard).

🔄 Recipe Variations

Garlic Focaccia: Add roasted garlic cloves to the dough.
Tomato Basil: Top with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
Olive Lover’s: Press Kalamata olives into the dough before baking.
Sweet Twist: Swap rosemary for cinnamon sugar and drizzle with honey.

💬 Reader prompt: Which focaccia personality are you — savory herb, cheesy, or sweet experimenter?

🧒 Kid Tips

Let kids help dimple the dough — it’s basically edible Play‑Doh.
Cut into breadsticks for dipping in marinara.
Serve with butter or honey for picky eaters.
Make mini focaccia rounds in muffin tins for lunchboxes.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

Flour Savings: Buy bread flour in bulk — it keeps well.
Parmesan Tip: Grate your own from a block for better flavor.
Olive Oil Deals: Warehouse stores often have great prices on quality oil.
Rosemary Shortcut: Dried rosemary works if fresh isn’t available.

🎯 Reader Challenge

Make this focaccia your own! Try a garlic version, a tomato‑topped beauty, or even a sweet cinnamon‑honey twist. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsFocaccia so we can all drool together and swap ideas.

🥪 Leftover Remix

Focaccia Sandwiches: Slice and fill with mozzarella, tomato, and basil.
Focaccia Croutons: Cube and toast for salads.
Focaccia Pizza: Top with sauce and cheese, bake until bubbly.
Focaccia French Toast: Yes, savory French toast — dip in eggs and fry.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you try focaccia French toast, or is that too wild?

💭 Final Thoughts

This Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia is proof that bread can be both simple and spectacular. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you get a loaf that’s golden, chewy, and bursting with flavor. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a bakery goddess in your own kitchen.

It’s also endlessly adaptable. You can keep it classic, load it with toppings, or even turn it into dessert. And because it’s so fun to make (hello, dimpling!), it’s a great recipe to do with kids or friends.

Here’s the thing about focaccia — it’s more than just bread. It’s an experience. It’s the smell of rosemary and parmesan filling your kitchen, the joy of pressing your fingers into pillowy dough, and the satisfaction of pulling a golden loaf from the oven.

And this homemade version? It’s a little extra special. It’s rustic, it’s elegant, and it’s guaranteed to make you the star of any dinner table.

So here’s my challenge to you: make it, share it, and tell me your twist. Did you go garlic? Did you add olives? Did you sneak a piece straight from the pan before anyone else got theirs? (No judgment — I’ve been there.) Snap a pic, post it, and tag it so we can all drool together.

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Bread Week” series next? I’m thinking cheesy pull‑apart bread, no‑knead artisan loaves, and maybe even a sweet cinnamon swirl.

Until then, may your focaccia be golden, your rosemary fragrant, and your kitchen full of laughter, love, and second helpings.

Did you try our Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia Recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!