Tangy Herb-Infused Parmesan Skillet Bread Recipe for Beginners

Parmesan skillet bread brings rustic comfort straight to your kitchen with its golden, crusty exterior and soft, pillowy interior.

Aromatic herbs weave magic through every delectable bite, creating a sensory experience that awakens hunger and anticipation.

Imagine pulling apart warm, fragrant slices that steam with rich, cheesy goodness and delicate herbal notes.

Salt and cheese collaborate beautifully, generating deep, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp edges promise a delightful crunch while the center remains tender and inviting.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike appreciate how simple ingredients can create something extraordinary.

This bread converts an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary moment that sparks conversation and connection.

Jump into this delicious adventure and let your taste buds celebrate.

Parmesan Skillet Bread with Fresh Herbs

• Fresh rosemary transforms this bread into an aromatic culinary delight, infusing each bite with fragrant, earthy notes that dance on your taste buds.
• The cast iron skillet method simplifies baking, creating a crispy golden exterior while ensuring a soft, pillowy interior with minimal cleanup required.
• From start to finish, this bread takes just under two hours, making it perfect for spontaneous family meals or impressive weekend gatherings without demanding advanced baking skills.
• The combination of Parmesan cheese and herbs creates a universally appealing side dish that complements everything from hearty soups to elegant dinner spreads.

What You Need for Skillet Herb Bread

• Flour: Provides the main structure and body of the bread, all-purpose flour works best.
• Water: Essential for activating yeast and creating dough consistency.
• Instant Yeast: Helps bread rise and develop a light, airy texture, quick and reliable leavening agent.

• Rosemary, Salt: Fresh rosemary adds aromatic herbal flavor, while fine salt enhances overall taste and balances bread's profile.

• Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese: Olive oil provides moisture and helps create golden crust, Parmesan cheese adds rich, savory flavor and crispy topping.

Instructions for Golden Parmesan Bread

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend instant yeast with warm water. Stir gently until the yeast dissolves completely. Gradually mix in half of the flour using a wooden spoon, creating a smooth base.

Step 2: Blend Aromatic Herbs and Flour

• Chopped fresh rosemary
• Fine salt
• Remaining flour

Stir until all components merge seamlessly. Shield the bowl with plastic wrap and park in a cozy spot for about an hour. Watch the dough transform and balloon in size.

Step 3: Prepare the Skillet Stage

Grab a cast iron skillet (10-12 inches). Lavishly coat the bottom with olive oil. Dust your palms and dough surface with flour. Gently shape the risen dough into a rustic disk. Nestle the dough into the skillet. Allow it to rest and puff up for roughly 30 minutes.

Step 4: Create Golden Magic

Heat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Drizzle remaining olive oil over the dough’s surface. Using a sharp knife, craft an artistic X-pattern across the top. Scatter additional rosemary leaves generously.

Step 5: Bake and Garnish

Slide the skillet into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove and shower the surface with grated Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes until the bread achieves a gorgeous golden-brown complexion.

Tips for Crispy Edges and Soft Center

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water is precisely lukewarm (around 110°F) to help yeast activate without killing it, creating a smooth, elastic dough.
• Master Dough Rising: Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on to guarantee optimal rising conditions.
• Develop Rich Flavor: Crush rosemary leaves between your fingers before adding to release more aromatic oils, intensifying the herb's natural taste throughout the bread.
• Create Crispy Crust: Preheat the cast iron skillet in the oven before adding dough to achieve a wonderfully crisp bottom and enhance overall bread texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Grate Parmesan fresh and add during the last baking stage to prevent burning and ensure a golden, perfectly melted cheese topping.

How to Store Skillet Bread Without Drying

• Refrigerate: Store leftover bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 days, keeping it fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Freeze: Slice the bread, place parchment paper between slices, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month, preserving its delicious herb-infused flavor.
• Reheat: Warm slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or toast briefly in a skillet with a touch of olive oil to restore crispness and bring back the bread's original texture.

Pairing Ideas for Parmesan Bread

• Savor Mediterranean Delights: Pair this herb-infused bread with a crisp Greek salad topped with feta cheese and kalamata olives. The bright, tangy flavors will complement the rosemary and Parmesan perfectly.
• Elevate Wine and Cheese Experience: Serve alongside a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc. These white wines cut through the bread's richness while enhancing its herbal notes.
• Create Rustic Appetizer Spread: Accompany the skillet bread with a trio of Mediterranean dips like roasted red pepper hummus, herbed olive tapenade, and creamy tzatziki. These vibrant spreads will add depth and excitement to each bite.
• Craft Hearty Comfort Meal: Transform this bread into a complete meal by pairing with a robust tomato-based soup or a classic minestrone. The bread's texture makes it perfect for dipping and soaking up rich, warm flavors.

Herb Bread Variations for Every Occasion

• Rustic Garlic Herb Bread: Replace rosemary with a blend of minced garlic, thyme, and oregano. Add roasted garlic cloves on top before baking for an intense, aromatic flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Olive Focaccia: Incorporate chopped kalamata olives into the dough. Sprinkle za'atar seasoning and crumbled feta cheese before the final baking stage to create a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Bread: Mix finely diced jalapeños into the dough. Top with pepper jack cheese instead of Parmesan for a kick of heat and extra spiciness.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Parmesan Skillet Bread: Fold chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the dough. Add extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, tangy variation that brings bright Mediterranean flavors.

Bread Baking FAQs with Expert Advice

• Can I use dry rosemary instead of fresh rosemary?

Yes, you can substitute dried rosemary, but use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

• What if I don't have a cast iron skillet?

You can use any oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Just ensure it’s similar in size and can withstand high oven temperatures.

• How do I know when the bread is perfectly baked?

The bread is done when it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. The edges should also be crispy and the top should have a nice golden color.

• Can I store this bread for later?

Yes, wrap the cooled bread in aluminum foil and store at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month, tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.

Herb-Infused Parmesan Skillet Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Parmesan skillet bread emerges as a rustic Italian-inspired delight, promising comfort in every golden, herb-laden slice. Crusty edges and melted cheese welcome guests to savor warm, aromatic moments straight from kitchen to table.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 4 ½ cups (574 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 package) instant yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt

Wet and Fresh Ingredients:

• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for sprinkling

Cheese Topping:

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Activate the instant yeast by dissolving it in tepid water within a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring complete integration.
2. Incrementally introduce half the flour, stirring methodically with a wooden utensil until achieving a silky consistency.
3. Incorporate finely chopped rosemary and refined salt into the developing dough mixture, blending thoroughly.
4. Gradually fold in the remaining flour, stirring consistently until the ingredients meld seamlessly.
5. Shield the bowl with transparent film and position in a gentle, warm environment to encourage fermentation and volume expansion, approximately 60 minutes.
6. Generously coat the cast iron skillet’s interior with olive oil, creating a smooth protective layer.
7. Delicately flour hands and dough surface, then mold the risen mixture into an approximate circular shape.
8. Gently transfer the dough into the prepared skillet, ensuring even distribution.
9. Loosely drape a cloth over the dough and allow secondary proofing until the surface becomes light and puffy, roughly 30 minutes.
10. Warm the oven to 400°F, preparing for baking.
11. Drizzle remaining olive oil across the dough’s surface for enhanced flavor and crisp texture.
12. Create an elegant diagonal cross-pattern using a razor-sharp knife, allowing aesthetic scoring.
13. Scatter additional fresh rosemary leaves atop the dough for aromatic intensity.
14. Slide the skillet into the preheated oven, baking for initial 20-minute segment.
15. Carefully extract the partially baked bread and generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the surface.
16. Return to oven, continuing baking until achieving a golden, crisp exterior, approximately 20 additional minutes.

Notes

• Make sure your water is lukewarm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
• Allow plenty of rising time in a warm spot to develop rich, complex bread flavors and soft texture.
• Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds fantastic texture.
• Fresh rosemary transforms this bread from ordinary to extraordinary, offering bright, aromatic notes throughout.
• Grated Parmesan cheese creates a deliciously crispy, savory topping that elevates the entire bread experience.
• Check bread doneness by tapping the bottom – a hollow sound indicates it’s perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.

• Prep Time: 90 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 3 mg