Making ciabatta bread from scratch feels like pure magic. It’s almost like therapy, mixing just a few basic ingredients and then watching the dough come to life, rising into something truly delicious and beautiful. Nothing can beat the taste of a fresh homemade ciabatta bread.
Italian Ciabatta Bread
Ciabatta is all about that crusty outside and the soft, airy inside that's just perfect for soaking up olive oil, spreading with butter, or making the best sandwich ever. Trust me, once you've tried homemade ciabatta, you'll never want the store-bought stuff again.
There's something truly magical about pulling a tray of freshly baked ciabatta from the oven. The crust crackles under your touch, and the warm, inviting aroma fills your entire kitchen. In that moment, you know you've made something really special. It's a feeling that never gets old.
Here are a few recipes to use the freshly made ciabatta bread Pan Con Tomate, and Spicy Chicken Sandwich.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Ciabatta Bread
Simple Ingredients: Ciabatta bread uses simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of extra virgin olive oil. It's a straightforward recipe that's perfect for baking at home.
Artisanal Texture: Ciabatta's distinct texture, with its large, irregular holes, comes from its wet and sticky dough. The fermentation process is key, it helps create that airy crumb, giving the bread its artisanal feel.
Crustiness: Ciabatta's crispy crust contrasts beautifully with its soft, chewy interior. Getting that perfect crust is one of the most satisfying parts of baking it.
Versatility: Ciabatta is a versatile bread that fits many uses. Whether you're making sandwiches, paninis, or enjoying it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, its neutral flavor pairs well with different toppings and fillings.
Homemade Goodness: Baking your own bread brings such satisfaction. The aroma of freshly baked ciabatta filling your kitchen is a wonderful reward. Sharing homemade bread with loved ones adds even more joy to the experience.
If you want appetizers with bread you should check out Tomato Bruschetta.
🧾Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Ciabatta Bread:
Flour: I use bread flour for its perfect protein content, giving ciabatta a great rise and airy texture. You can also try all-purpose, whole wheat, or spelt flour for different flavors and textures.
Water: I use warm water to hydrate the flour and activate the yeast. It helps form the dough and is crucial for fermentation. Ciabatta’s high-hydration dough creates large air pockets and a crispy crust. You can also use milk or buttermilk for a different flavor and texture.
Yeast: I use instant yeast to help the dough rise and create ciabatta's large holes. For a sourdough flavor, try a sourdough starter and adjust the hydration levels.
Sugar: I use sugar to activate and feed the yeast, adding a hint of sweetness and aiding in crust browning. You can also use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
Salt: Don't skip the salt! It adds savory flavor and controls fermentation, ensuring your ciabatta is well-balanced and delicious.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Ciabatta Bread
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a large bowl, pour warm water and sprinkle in the yeast, stirring until combined.
2. Add 250 g flour and sugar to the water mixture and stir to combine.
3. Add the remaining 250 g flour, salt and stir with a spatula until a sticky dough forms. Knead with a spatula for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Divide the dough in half, place each portion in a lightly oiled bowl, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 3 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. After rising, turn the dough onto a floured surface. Shape each portion into a long loaf and place them on a floured parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Let the loaves rise for another 30 minutes before baking in the preheated oven at 230°C (446°F) for 8 minutes and then at 200°C (392°F) for 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Let the ciabatta loaves cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy homemade ciabatta bread with some extra virgin olive oil or butter!
🍽 What to serve with Ciabatta Bread
Ciabatta bread is so versatile! I love pairing it with soups like Butternut Squash Soup and Broccoli Cheddar Soup for dunking into the rich broth.
It's also perfect alongside salads such as Caesar Salad and Pasta Salad, soaking up all the delicious dressings.
Ciabatta shines with pasta dishes like Gigi Hadid Pasta and Chicken Alfredo, mopping up every last bit of sauce.
For appetizers, I toast slices of ciabatta and top them with fresh tomato, basil, and garlic for a classic Tomato Bruschetta. Or I go for a Pan con Tomate, with olive oil, tomato puree, a sprinkle of salt, and serrano ham.
When I'm in the mood for a hearty meal, I use ciabatta to make a delicious Chicken Sandwich.
And let's not forget how well it pairs with spreads like Hummus and Muhammara. It's the perfect complement!
Ciabatta bread just adds that extra touch to every meal.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Use Bread Flour: Choose high-protein bread flour to create that perfect chewy texture and airy crumb in your bread.
High Hydration Dough: Embrace the stickiness of ciabatta dough, it's meant to be wet and sticky! Avoid adding too much flour; the dough's wetness helps create those airy holes we love in ciabatta.
Slow Fermentation: Let the dough ferment slowly—it's worth the wait! Longer fermentation brings out the best flavors in ciabatta.
Consistent Sizing: When dividing the dough, aim for even sizes to bake everything uniformly.
Gentle Handling: Gently handle the dough as you fold and shape it to keep those precious air pockets intact.
Steam in the Oven: To get that perfect crispy crust, create steam in your oven when you first bake the bread. You can do this by placing a pan of water in the oven or spritzing water inside right before you put the dough in.
Storage: Store your ciabatta bread at room temperature in a cool, dry spot like a bread box or pantry. Avoid the fridge to keep it fresh longer.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Ciabatta bread is an Italian rustic bread known for its airy interior, chewy texture, and crisp crust, making it ideal for sandwiches and dipping.
🍛More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Ciabatta Bread
Ingredients
- 380 ml Water
- 7 g Yeast
- 500 g Flour
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, pour warm water and sprinkle the yeast over the water, stirring until well combined.
- Add the flour and sugar to the water mixture and combine.
- Sprinkle the salt on the bread mixture and mix the ingredients with a spatula until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead for about 10 minutes with a spatula, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Pour extra virgin olive oil into two bowls and cover the bowl with the oil.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, place the dough in lightly oiled bowls and pour extra virgin olive oil over the dough.
- Cover them with plastic and let them rise in a warm place for about 3 hours, or until the doughs have doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface.
- Shape each portion into a long, narrow loaf and place them on a floured parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Allow the loaves to rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 230°C (446°F) for 8 minutes and then at 200°C (392°F) for 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Allow the ciabatta loaves to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
- Enjoy your homemade ciabatta bread with extra virgin olive oil or butter!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
This ciabatta is amazing! The crust is so satisfyingly crunchy, and the inside is perfectly chewy.
John says
I like homemade bread and ciabatta bread is one of the best, thanks for this easy recipe for ciabatta bread.