The Best Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia: Fluffy & Flavorful

Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia is a showstopper that combines the best of both worlds—classic Italian bread and rich, savory flavors. Whether you’re a sourdough lover or a focaccia fan, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your baking routine. Enjoy it as a side to your favorite meals or on its own with a little olive oil for dipping!

Focaccia is one of those classic breads that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Its crispy crust and pillowy interior make it the perfect side dish, snack, or even base for a sandwich. Everyone needs a good focaccia bread recipe!

But what if you could take the rich, chewy goodness of bubbly focaccia and elevate it with the bold flavors of garlic and cheddar cheese, all while adding the tangy, complex flavor of sourdough starter? Enter this Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia, a mouthwatering combination that will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire!

Easy enough for beginner bakers, yet delicious enough for even seasoned sourdough gurus to love, this Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia recipe is perfect! No matter where you’re at on your sourdough journey, you will love this recipe.

Serve it alongside a delicious roast, with salad and soup, have as a snack, or use for a sandwich! Check out more easy sourdough recipes — easy tortillas, English muffins, and overnight bagels are some of our favorites!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Versatile – You can easily switch up the cheeses, herbs, and other ingredients with this recipe to create something unique and delicious. Experiment with other herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano, add caramelized onions, olives, garlic confit, or even a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for added complexity.
• Crowd pleaser – This cheesy garlic bread goes well with just about any recipe and is also great as a pizza dough! It feeds a crowd well and makes a great addition to a charcuterie board.
• Simple​ – I love that this recipe takes simple, everyday ingredients, and turns it into something absolutely delicious! Focaccia is a rustic, flavorful Italian bread, and the addition of garlic and cheddar is just divine!

What is Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia?

Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia is a deliciously savory bread that blends the richness of cheddar cheese with the robust flavors of garlic and the tangy, slightly sour undertone of sourdough.

Traditional focaccia is made with a simple dough that’s topped with olive oil, herbs, and sometimes cheese or other garnishes. Adding the depth of sourdough gives this bread a more complex flavor profile.

• Garlic infuses the dough with is delicious aromatic flavor.
• Cheddar adds an irresistible creamy sharpness that pairs perfectly with the bread’s fluffy texture.
• Sourdough starter gives this recipe a deeper, more nuanced flavor over time, especially if you let it rise for a longer period.

Sourdough starter acts as a natural leavening, meaning you don’t need no commercial yeast.

Is Sourdough Focaccia Healthy?

Sourdough bread is often considered a healthier option compared to regular yeast-leavened bread, and there are a few reasons for this:

• Lower Glycemic Index: The fermentation process involved in making sourdough helps break down some of the starches, which leads to a lower glycemic index (GI). This means sourdough has a gentler impact on blood sugar levels compared to other types of bread.
• Improved Digestibility: The long fermentation time allows for the breakdown of gluten and phytic acid, a compound found in grains that can make it harder for your body to absorb essential minerals. This makes sourdough potentially easier to digest, especially for those with mild gluten sensitivities.

Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Ingredients

• Active sourdough starter: You need active starter and not discard for this recipe.
• Cheddar cheese. I like to buy a block of cheese and grate it myself.
• Extra virgin olive oil. This is the typical oil used in focaccia. If you want a richer garlic taste, use garlic infused oil.
• Bread flour. You do need the added protein of bread flour for this recipe. You can use all-purpose flour and add 1 Tablespoon of vital wheat gluten per cup of flour if you do not have bread flour. You can also substitute whole wheat flour, but the end result will be a bit more dense.

A full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focacia

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, flour, salt, and sugar. Gradually add warm water and olive oil, mixing until the dough starts to come together, then allow to sit for 30 minutes
2. Stretch & Folds: Over the next two hours, ideally you will stretch and fold the dough a total of four times to improve the elasticity. On your first round, add shredded cheese to your dough and mix it in well.
3. First Rise: Place the stretched dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature. Either allow it to sit for 8-10 hours overnight, or prep early and allow to rise for 4-6 hours, then refrigerate it overnight for a longer fermentation.
4. Shape and Flavor the Focaccia: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to deflate. Then, turn it out onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Using your fingers, gently stretch and press the dough to fill the pan. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and sprinkle the minced garlic and rosemary (if using) over the surface. Gently press the garlic into the dough with your fingers.
5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Then, once the dough has risen a bit, sprinkle the top with sea salt and bake for 20 minutes, then pull out and top with shredded cheese. Bake and addition 5 minutes or until the focaccia is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly crisp.

Tips for Making Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia

1. Use a well-developed sourdough starter: For the best flavor and rise, make sure your sourdough starter is healthy and bubbly. A mature starter will provide more depth and consistency to the dough.
2. Don’t rush the rise: While it can be tempting to rush through the fermentation stages, letting the dough rise slowly gives it the best flavor. Consider making the dough in the evening and letting it rise overnight in the fridge for a deeper, tangier flavor.
3. Use quality ingredients. The simplicity of this recipe means you want high quality ingredients. Good olive oil, fresh garlic bulbs, and a good cheddar are essential!

Garlic Cheddar Sourdough Focaccia Variations

• Herbed Garlic Cheddar: Add fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil to the dough for a more aromatic experience.
• Bacon and Cheddar: Incorporate crispy bacon crumbles into the dough or sprinkle them on top for a savory, meaty addition.
• Sun-Dried Tomato and Cheddar: For a Mediterranean twist, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the garlic and cheddar.
• Cheese Blend: Mix in different cheeses like mozzarella, Parmesan, or Gruyère for a more complex flavor profile.

Recipe FAQs

How should I store leftover focaccia?

To store focaccia, wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Can I use regular, dry yeast instead of sourdough starter?

Yes, you can. If you prefer a quicker method, replace the sourdough starter with 2 teaspoons of dry instant yeast. Be sure to reduce the water by about 1/4 cup since yeast doesn’t need as much hydration.

What is the secret to great focaccia?

The secret to making a perfect sourdough focaccia is great ingredients and allowing the dough time to rest and rise. This gives the dough more flavor and strength, and gives you soft, airy focaccia in the end.

What is the difference between sourdough and focaccia? Is focaccia sourdough?

Focaccia is a rustic Italian bread that can be made topped with olive oil and salt or with additions like garlic and cheese. It can be made with dry yeast or with sourdough starter, so it is not always a sourdough bread. Sourdough simply means the bread is leavened with wild yeast, aka sourdough starter.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Other Recipes You May Enjoy…

• One Pot Tuscan Chicken
• Hidden Veggie Sloppy Joes
• Smoky Chipotle Chicken Soup
• Overnight Sourdough Bagels