Homemade Ciabatta Bread Recipe

Introduction

Homemade ciabatta bread offers a wonderfully crispy crust with a soft, airy interior, perfect for sandwiches or dipping in olive oil. This simple recipe requires just a few basic ingredients and a little patience to create delightful, rustic bread at home.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Let it sit until bubbly, about 5-10 minutes. Add the flour, olive oil, and salt, then mix until a wet, sticky dough forms.
2. Step 2: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size and become bubbly, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
3. Step 3: Gently turn the dough onto a floured surface, handling it carefully to maintain the air bubbles. Shape into a rough rectangle and place on a baking sheet.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the shaped dough for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp.
5. Step 5: Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a tablespoon of honey to the dough or sprinkling herbs like rosemary before baking.
• Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for a chewier texture and better rise.
• Let the dough ferment overnight in the refrigerator for a deeper flavor and more complex crumb.

Storage

Store ciabatta bread in a paper bag or wrapped loosely in a kitchen towel at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread in an airtight bag, then reheat slices in a toaster or oven to refresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What makes ciabatta bread different from other bread?

Ciabatta is known for its crisp crust and open, airy crumb created by a wet dough and gentle handling, distinguishing it from denser breads.

Can I make ciabatta without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand, but be careful to handle the dough gently to preserve the airiness essential to ciabatta.

Homemade Ciabatta Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 109 reviews

Homemade Ciabatta Bread is a rustic Italian loaf known for its light, airy crumb and crisp crust. This simple recipe uses basic ingredients like flour, yeast, water, olive oil, and salt to create perfectly chewy and flavorful bread. Ideal for sandwiches or as a side with soups and salads, this bread is shaped gently to preserve the open texture and baked until golden brown.

• Author: Lara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 800g) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 500g all-purpose flour
• 7g active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 400ml lukewarm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Mix Wet Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm water and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hand until a wet, sticky dough forms.
2. Let Rise Until Bubbly: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the surface is bubbly and the dough has doubled in size.
3. Shape Gently: Flour your work surface generously. Turn the dough out carefully to avoid deflating it. Fold it gently into a rough rectangle, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Bake the loaf for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp. To create steam and a crusty exterior, place a pan of water in the oven during baking or spritz water inside the oven before closing.

Notes

• Use high-protein bread flour if available for a chewier texture.
• Ensure water is lukewarm, not hot, to activate yeast without killing it.
• Do not overwork the dough to maintain the open crumb structure.
• Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent a gummy interior.
• For best results, bake with steam or spritz water into the oven to develop a crisp crust.

Keywords: Ciabatta, Homemade Bread, Italian Bread, Rustic Bread, Artisan Bread