Description
This Ciabatta Bread recipe brings authentic Italian artisan baking right to your kitchen. With its signature airy crumb, crispy crust, and rustic flavor, this easy-to-follow guide helps you create bakery-quality ciabatta in just 90 minutes. Perfect for sandwiches, bruschetta, or simply dipped in olive oil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 1/4 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Substitution Options:
- Replace active dry yeast with instant yeast (reduce by 25%)
- Use all-purpose flour plus vital wheat gluten instead of bread flour
- Substitute sugar with honey for a richer flavor
- Experiment with different olive oil varieties for unique taste profiles
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine yeast, warm water, and sugar in a large bowl. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy and aromatic.
- Mix Base Batter: Add 2 cups of bread flour and salt to yeast mixture. Stir until a smooth, thick batter forms.
- Form Sticky Dough: Gradually add remaining flour while stirring. The dough should be sticky but elastic—this is essential for ciabatta’s texture.
- First Rise: Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape Loaves: Turn dough onto floured surface, divide into two portions, and gently shape into flat, elongated loaves. Avoid deflating air bubbles.
- Second Rise: Place loaves on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover with damp towel, and rise for 30 minutes.
- Create Steam: Preheat oven to 425°F with a dish of hot water on bottom rack for steam generation.
- Bake: Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Internal temperature should reach 200°F.
- Cool: Transfer to wire rack and cool completely before slicing for best texture.
Notes
For perfect ciabatta, keep the dough wet and handle gently. Steam during baking is key for a crispy crust. Avoid adding extra flour, as the sticky dough ensures those classic air pockets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (2 oz)
- Calories: 125
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
Keywords: ciabatta bread, italian bread, artisan bread, homemade ciabatta, rustic bread