Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread Recipe (2024)

By: Author Pamela Baker

Posted on - Last updated:

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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 not to do with sourdough? ›

Here are the big errors to avoid when working with sourdough.
  1. You Bake Too Soon. ...
  2. You Use Unfiltered Tap Water. ...
  3. You Use Water That Is Too Hot or Too Cold. ...
  4. You're Impatient. ...
  5. You Don't Autolyse Your Dough. ...
  6. You Don't Let Gluten Develop Properly. ...
  7. You Don't Let the Bread Proof Long Enough. ...
  8. You Don't Form the Bread Correctly.
Apr 1, 2022

Is sourdough bread healthier? ›

Sourdough bread is also an excellent source of antioxidants. Studies have shown that antioxidants like the peptides found in sourdough can lower the risk for certain types of cancer, signs of aging, or chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

What is the secret to sourdough bread? ›

The secret to sourdough is simple: water. The more water you add to your dough will affect how open the crumb (bigger holes and softer texture) will be once it's baked.

What is the secret to fluffy sourdough? ›

Keeping the lid on for the first part of baking allows steam to expand between the gluten fibers to rise the bread and create a fluffy loaf. Step 4: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 12-14 minutes or until the crust is crispy and golden brown. Once you take the lid off, the bread likely won't rise anymore.

What is the disadvantage of sourdough bread? ›

Potential Drawbacks

Even though the gluten in sourdough bread is easier for people to digest, including some people with digestive symptoms such as IBS and gluten sensitivity, it still contains gluten.

Is sourdough bread still inflammatory? ›

The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Is it okay to eat sourdough bread every day? ›

Health benefits of sourdough. The type of flour used — all-purpose, whole wheat, rye — can affect the nutritional content of sourdough bread, says Wee. But generally speaking, sourdough bread is a healthy option and can be eaten regularly as part of a nutritious, balanced diet.

What is the healthiest flour for sourdough bread? ›

Compared to whole wheat flour, rye flour is said to be the most nutrient- and amylase-dense option for a sourdough starter. Overall, it has a lower gluten protein content than wheat flour, which means it produces slack, sticky, and dense doughs.

Is sourdough bread good for losing belly fat? ›

But flour type and personal diet need to play a big role. Is sourdough bread good for weight loss? Yes, it may help in your weight management journey. It's complex carbs and high fibre content can leave you feeling full and limit snacking.

Why do you put vinegar in sourdough bread? ›

In fact the acidity is a dough conditioner that softens the texture of whole grains and makes the bread more pliable. Hack: apple cider vinegar. I often add about a tablespoon of ACV to bread as a dough conditioner.

What is the best thing to bake sourdough bread in? ›

Using a sandwich loaf tin is a great option for baking sourdough bread. It creates uniform slices that are perfect for sandwiches. If you've just getting into sourdough baking and don't want to invest in special equipment like a Dutch oven, I'll show you how to make the loaf pan you already have work for bread baking!

Why do you put honey in sourdough bread? ›

The Role of Sourdough Starter with Honey

Honey contains natural sugars and nutrients, nourishing wild yeasts and bacteria and fostering a healthy fermentation process. The enzymes in honey aid in breaking down starches into simpler sugars, thereby fueling the growth of the microbial community.

How to get a good crust on sourdough bread? ›

Steam Your Sourdough Crust

Creating the perfect steamy, hot environment is essential to getting a rich, dark sourdough crust. As a home baker, using a Dutch Oven is the easiest and most consistent way to create the steamy environment needed to bake great sourdough bread.

What's the best flour to use for sourdough starter? ›

Over the past decade-plus of baking, I've tested all manner of flour from whole grain wheat to spelt to einkorn, and while they all do work, my preferred flour to use when creating a sourdough starter is whole grain rye flour and white flour (this can be all-purpose or high-protein bread flour).

What is underproofed sourdough? ›

Underproofed bread dough is simply dough that has not had enough total fermentation time: the time from where your preferment (such as a sourdough starter or levain) is added to the dough until baking. Explosive oven spring (rise) in the oven.

When should you not eat sourdough bread? ›

As a general rule, you should throw out a loaf of sourdough bread when it shows visible signs of mold, when it has an unpleasant odor, or when it doesn't taste right. At this point, mold may be contaminating the bread below the surface, even if you can't see it.

When should you throw out sourdough? ›

It's usually pretty obvious when your starter has gone bad. You will either see mold or discoloration (generally pink or orange). If you see either of these things, you will need to toss your starter. The smell is usually a big give away.

Who Cannot eat sourdough bread? ›

Beyond Celiac does not recommend that those with celiac disease eat sourdough bread unless it is clearly labeled gluten-free or has been made safely at-home with gluten-free starters/ingredients.

What does sourdough not stick to? ›

Rice flour is especially resistant to sticking, and many bakers use it in their baskets alone or mixed with all purpose flour. Other less common options include using a layer of bran flakes, or for seeds or dried herbs for specialty breads.

References

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