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Homemade Ciabatta Bread Recipe

4.9 from 74 reviews

This homemade ciabatta bread recipe yields a rustic, airy Italian loaf with a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior. Made with simple ingredients and featuring a two-stage rising process, this bread is perfect for sandwiches or serving alongside soups and salads.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose or bread flour
  • 1 ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 cup (240ml) lukewarm water

For Greasing

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Add the lukewarm water and stir with a spoon or spatula until a soft, sticky dough forms. It should look rough but uniform. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap.
  2. First Rise (1 hour): Let the dough rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size and bubbly on top.
  3. Fold and Rest Again (30 minutes): Lightly flour your surface and gently turn out the dough. Fold it over itself 2–3 times to create a loose rectangle. Transfer it to a floured parchment-lined baking sheet. Dust the top lightly with flour and cover loosely. Let rise for 30 more minutes.
  4. Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the bread for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  5. Cool and Serve: Let the ciabatta cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to preserve the texture.

Notes

  • Use bread flour if you prefer a chewier texture, but all-purpose flour works well too.
  • Make sure the water is lukewarm, around 100°F (38°C), to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
  • Do not over-knead the dough; ciabatta dough is meant to be sticky and somewhat loose.
  • Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to maintain the structure and texture.
  • For an extra crusty bread, place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam.

Keywords: ciabatta bread, homemade bread, Italian bread, artisan bread, easy bread recipe