Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (2024)

By: Author Pamela Baker

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This Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread is not only full of nooks and crannies that you love so much in sourdough bread, but aromatic and oh so flavorful!

Truth be told, I was introduced to homemade sourdough bread over 30 years ago. I got the starter from my next door neighbor. At first, I didn’t know what to do with it. Then I found a recipe for maintaining the starter in an old cookbook.

I kept that starter alive for years. By alive, I mean that I kept feeding and using the sourdough starter. With time, it developed the best flavor! Although, I read recently that sourdough starter that is 30 days old tastes the same as starter that’s 10 years old.

The Science Behind Sourdough Starters

A sourdough starter is made using two simple ingredients: flour and water. As the microbes eat the sugars in the flour, they exhale carbon dioxide, producing the bubbles that turn a flat, dense loaf into something light and fluffy.

Here’s an entire article on the science behind sourdough starters on Sourdough Science. An an article on the health benefits of sourdough starter.

Why Sourdough?

Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (2)

People bake with sourdough starters for different reasons. Homesteaders use it as provides an endless supply of levain for bread baking. Purchasing and using yeast is totally not necessary.

I choose to use a sourdough starter for one because it has incredible flavor that just can’t be reproduced. But, more importantly because it’s easier to digest and scientists believe it can be eaten without the spike in blood sugar that happens when you eat regular bread.

Having said that, in my opinion, it makes the bread healthier! Plus, it is really fun and gives you a sense of accomplishment that you can nurture and feed something that gives back so much delicious enjoyment!

Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (3)

Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 12 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 12 hours 25 minutes

This Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread is not only full of nooks and crannies that you love so much in sourdough bread, but aromatic and oh so flavorful!

Ingredients

FOR ACTIVATING THE STARTER

  • 2.4 oz (1/4 cup) sourdough starter
  • 4 oz (½ cup) lukewarm (90°F to 100°F) pure filtered or bottled water
  • 4 oz 1 cup whole-wheat flour

FOR THE BREAD DOUGH

  • 2.4 oz (¼ cup) active sourdough starter
  • 12 oz (1½ cups} warm (100°F to 125°F) water
  • 15 oz (3½ cups) unbleached bread flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 oz (½ cup) whole-grain whole-wheat flour
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2.4 oz (1/4 cup) minced garlic
  • 1½ oz (⅓ cup) grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
  • 2 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

ACTIVATE THE STARTER

  1. At least 6 to 12 hours before making the dough, in a medium bowl, combine the starter and lukewarm water, mixing with a spoon until completely incorporated. Then add the flour, again completely incorporating the flour into the starter mixture.
  2. Loosely cover and let sit on the counter until ready to use.

MAKE THE BREAD

  1. In a large bowl, add 2.4 oz (¼ cup) of the active sourdough starter. Add the warm water and stir until the starter has completely dissolved. Add the bread flour and whole-wheat flour to the yeast mixture, mixing to combine completely. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle the salt over the dough and mix to combine. Let the dough rest for 2 hours more.
  3. While still in the bowl, gently knead the bread dough a couple of times. Let the dough rest for 2 hours more.
  4. Knead the dough in the bowl a couple of times again and let rest for 2 hours more.
  5. After the 6 hours of intermittent kneading, knead in the garlic, Parmesan cheese and dried oregano until completely incorporated into the dough.
  6. Place a parchment paper square on a flat surface and lightly flour it. Turn the bread dough out onto the prepared parchment. Work the dough by repeatedly pulling the corners of the dough toward the center to form a ball. Once the ball is formed, turn it so the pulled edges are on the bottom. Using the parchment, transfer the bread dough to a clean bowl (with the parchment). The dough should bounce back when a finger is pushed into its side. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and refrigerate the dough overnight.
  7. The next morning, when you’re ready to bake your bread, preheat the oven to 450°F with the Dutch oven and lid in the oven. (Preheat the Dutch oven while preheating the oven.)
  8. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Sprinkle flour over the top of the bread and smooth it with your hand. Gently dusting off any excess flour. Using a bread lame or very sharp knife, cut an X into the top of the dough.
  9. When the oven has heated, remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Using the corners of the parchment, transfer the bread dough and parchment into a Dutch oven. Spray the bread with water a couple of times and place the lid on the pot. Bake for 10 minutes.
  10. Reduce the oven temperature to 425°F and bake for 25 minutes more.
  11. Remove the lid and bake for 10 minutes more. The bread is done when the crust is golden brown and the loaf reaches an internal temperature of 210°F on a digital food thermometer.
  12. Transfer the pot to a wire rack and let the bread cool there for 10 to 15 minutes.
  13. Remove the bread from the pan by lifting the parchment paper and place it on the wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

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Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (5)

Sourdough Starter Resources

I realize I haven’t yet shared my recipe for sourdough bread starter, but I’m doing some experimenting and plan to share the results when I’ve finished. In the meantime, if you’re looking for sourdough starter recipes or help with your starter, I recommend the following:

More Recipes from The Birch Cottage

If you liked this Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe, you might also like these recipes from The Birch Cottage:

  • Stand Mixer Buttermilk Biscuits
  • Parker House Rolls with Sea Salt
  • English Muffin Bread for the Bread Machine

I hope you enjoy this Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe as much as my family has enjoyed it. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Happy baking!

Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (6)
Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cheese goes well with sourdough bread? ›

Best cheeses for a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich

I love the combination of cheddar, gruyere, Havarti, and parmesan here. It gives the grilled cheese a slightly elevated and gourmet feel. Some other great cheese options would be mozzarella, brie, gouda, pepper jack, Monterey jack cheese, or American cheese.

What is the secret to good sourdough bread? ›

Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Making Sourdough
  • Use your sourdough starter at its peak. ...
  • Moisten the surface of the dough before baking for more rise. ...
  • Handle with care: be gentle with your dough. ...
  • Use sifted flour to make your sourdough less dense. ...
  • Soak your flour beforehand for a lighter loaf. ...
  • Just add water for softer sourdough.

Why do you put baking soda in sourdough bread? ›

Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda can be used in sourdough bread to create a less sour loaf. Added after bulk fermentation, but before shaping, it can help to create a lighter, more fluffy loaf of sourdough.

What makes sourdough bread more flavorful? ›

Longer fermentation

As your dough proofs, the good bacteria eats up sugars and starches in the flour. This decreases the sweet undertone and creates a more sour undertone. The longer you ferment, the more starches and sugars the bacteria eats, and the more sour your bread will be.

Is sourdough bread the healthiest bread to eat? ›

Sourdough bread is a great alternative to conventional bread. It's richer in nutrients, less likely to spike your blood sugar, and generally easier to digest. Just remember that sourdough fermentation doesn't degrade gluten completely.

Should you toast sourdough bread? ›

You certainly can toast sourdough bread. I love to toast my soft sandwich bread or multigrain bread in the morning. Add a little butter and jam or avocado, and it makes a perfect side to your eggs. I'll also toast my sourdough French bread with butter and garlic for the perfect garlic bread side dish.

Why do you put honey in sourdough bread? ›

Honey: Honey adds a sweetness to this dough and helps balance any sour flavor that comes through from the fermentation process. If you are looking for whole wheat bread without the honey, try this recipe. Salt: Salt enhances the flavor and helps tempers the fermentation.

What is the best flour for sourdough bread? ›

Whole wheat flour is an excellent choice for creating a sourdough starter due to its nutrient-rich composition and potential for fostering a robust microbial community. However, it's important to note that the quality of whole wheat flour can vary between brands.

How do you make sourdough bread lighter and fluffier? ›

There are several ways to make sourdough bread lighter and less dense, such as:
  1. Increasing the hydration level of your dough, which means adding more water or using less flour. ...
  2. Switching up the type of flour you use, or using a mixture of different flours.
Nov 15, 2015

Why do you put vinegar in sourdough bread? ›

There are two main acids produced in a sourdough culture: lactic acid and acetic acid. Acetic acid, or vinegar, is the acid that gives sourdough much of its tang. Giving acetic acid-producing organisms optimal conditions to thrive and multiply will produce a more tangy finished product.

Why do you spray sourdough with water before baking? ›

Wetting the dough causes the surface to steam. Covering it traps the moisture. This partnership stops the bread from drying out on the surface in the hot air of the oven and forming a premature crust. Your bread rises more and produces a richer colour, becoming glossy on the surface.

Why is my homemade sourdough bread so dense? ›

One of the most common mistakes is having a dough temperature that's too low for the starter to feed on all the flour in the dough, resulting in a crumb that's dense, with fewer openings. "Starter is happiest and most active at around 75 degrees. If it's a lot colder, the process will be much slower.

How do you make sourdough bread more airy? ›

Here are some tips to help you make your sourdough bread less dense:
  1. Use a ripe sourdough starter. ...
  2. Knead the dough for the right amount of time. ...
  3. Proof the dough for the correct amount of time. ...
  4. Use the right type of flour. ...
  5. Add the right amount of water. ...
  6. Score the bread properly. ...
  7. Bake the bread at the correct temperature.
Sep 9, 2023

Do you have to discard sourdough starter? ›

If you don't get rid of the excess, eventually you'll have more starter than your feedings can sustain. After a few days, your daily 1/4 cup flour and water won't be enough to sustain your entire jar of starter, and your starter will be slow and sluggish, not much better than discard itself.

Why doesn't my sourdough bread taste sour? ›

In general, more minerals yield more sour taste. Using flours with more ash, or mineral, content, will yield more sour taste. If you can't get enough ash, adding a bit of whole wheat flour to your recipe, which is what is done with the 20% Bran Flour, will boost the sour of a bread.

What is sourdough traditionally served with? ›

Sourdough bread has a compact texture and a slight acid taste that allow it to accompany dishes with strong flavors. It also goes well with cold cuts and fish. It accompanies sauce dishes such as a beef bourguignon. At breakfast it can be enjoyed solely with semi-salted butter!

What are the best cheeses to put on bread? ›

Cheddar – The tangy taste of cheddar goes well with the sweeter notes of white bread. Cheddar is also great for grilled sandwiches and paninis. Mozzarella – The grainy, nutty taste of wholemeal bread goes well with Mozzarella. Top it with tomatoes, basil and olive oil to create a great-tasting, healthy sandwich.

What is the best bread and cheese combination? ›

Bread & cheese

For soft rind-washed cheeses, such as Camembert, Brie, or Chaource, a French baguette is the best. It provides a tasty contrast of creamy cheese and crispy baguette. Bleu du Vercors, Fourme d'Ambert, and other blue cheeses go well with rye bread.

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