These simple parmesan bread bites are the perfect appetizer and delicious finger food. Paired with marinara sauce, these fluffy little bread bites are covered in a healthy dose of garlic butter and parmesan cheese.
Large cast iron skillet or other baking dish 10-12"
Ingredients
1cupwarm water110℉
1tablespoongranulated sugar7g
2¼teaspoonsactive dry yeast1 packet
3½cupsall-purpose flour420g
1teaspoonkosher salt
1-2tablespoonsolive oil
½cupsalted buttermelted (113g)
1-2clovesgarlicfinely minced
⅔cupsshredded parmesan cheese
flaky or coarse sea saltfor tops
fresh parsleychopped
marinara saucewarmed, for dipping
Instructions
Add the water, sugar and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and stir. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes to activate the yeast until it becomes foamy.
1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
Add the flour and salt and use the dough hook to mix on low speed until combined, then increase the speed to medium high and allow it to run for 5 minutes.
3½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Note: the dough should be very smooth and slightly tacky (but not sticky). It will have mostly pulled away from the sides.
Oil the sides and bottom of a large mixing bowl and transfer in the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a rather warm area to rise until doubled in size.
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Once risen, turn out the dough and pat it into a square or rectangle, making it 1" thick.
Use a bench scraper or pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1 inch pieces.
Pinch the corners and sides of the dough downwards, then place the pinched side down on the counter and roll it in a counter clockwise circle to seal.
Add the piece of dough to a large cast iron skillet or baking pan and repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
Note: don't over crowd the pieces. Some of the sides can touch, but you don't want to shove them all in right next to each other.
Cover the pieces of dough with a dish towel or plastic wrap and allow the pieces to do another slight rise and puff up while you prepare the garlic butter.
Preheat the oven to 375℉.
Garlic Butter Parmesan Topping
Peel and finely mince the garlic and melt the butter. Mix to combine.
½ cup salted butter, 1-2 cloves garlic
Grate the parmesan cheese.
⅔ cups shredded parmesan cheese
Pour the garlic butter all over the pieces of dough, being sure to get the sides.
Top the bread bites with a few sprinkles of flaky or coarse sea salt, then evenly distribute half of the parmesan on top of the dough.
flaky or coarse sea salt
Bake the bread bites for 10 minutes, then remove the pan and add the remaining parmesan cheese. Return to the oven for 10-15 more minutes, until golden brown.
Top the bread bites with fresh chopped parsley and serve with warm marinara sauce.
fresh parsley, marinara sauce
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in foil for three days. Reheat in the microwave until warm. Or, even better, reheat in a 375℉ oven for about 5 minutes, flicking a bit of water onto the bites with your fingers before baking. This helps to revive them a bit.Tips:
Take a picture of the dough prior to rising so you can see exactly when it has doubled in size. The amount of heat affects how long the rise time takes. I like to turn the oven to 400℉ for 2 minutes, then turn it off and add the dough to the oven with it slightly cracked. It typically takes about 30-45 minutes.
Hand-grate a block of parmesan cheese. This allows for the best melt factor.
Enjoy the bread bites while hot, but be careful when pulling them apart!
If the parmesan cheese bakes together too much, use a sharp knife to poke into the seams a bit so each bite can release nicely.