Make this classic Italian ciabatta bread recipe at home with just four simple ingredients! Crusty on the outside and perfectly chewy on the inside, this bread is delicious for sandwiches, served with soup, or simply toasted. I love making homemade bread, and I have recently discovered how easy it is to make ciabatta bread! It’s so versatile because I can serve it with so many different recipes. Ciabatta is incredible with beef stew, and spaghetti, or enjoy it with this olive oil dip.
What Is Ciabatta Bread?
This white Italian bread has a crispy outer crust with an airy texture on the inside. The wet dough helps produce the irregular holes that form on the inside as it bakes. I love the unique characteristics of this beautiful bread, but I also love the delicious flavor! Ciabatta has an incredibly chewy and sturdy texture. That is why it is perfect for dips and sauces because it absorbs so well. You have to slice up this ciabatta bread and serve it with this artichoke dip, creamy cheese sauce, or my crab dip!
Bread Ingredients Needed
One of the reasons I love making this ciabatta bread recipe is that it only takes four ingredients to make! It’s so convenient because it uses such simple baking ingredients. Most likely, you have all of the ingredients on hand too! Check out the recipe card below for exact measurements!
Active Dry Yeast: All you need is about half of a packet!Warm Water: Make sure the water is about 90° Fahrenheit.Bread Flour: Bread flour is key! It’s what gives the bread a nice chewy texture.Salt: Salt is a must in bread!
Ciabatta Bread Recipe
You are going to love learning how to make homemade ciabatta bread. There is something so rewarding when that warm loaf comes out of the oven! It’s pretty easy to make, you just have to allow it plenty of time to rise, and you’re all set.
Prepare the Dough
Rise and Fold the Dough
Rise and Bake the Bread
Bread Flour is a Must: Bread flour is what gives the bread its chewy texture. You can use all-purpose flour if you need it, but the texture won’t be as chewy.Handle Dough With Care: This loaf should have a loose, open crumb. It’s important you don’t overhandle this dough when it’s in its final form.Cool Before Cutting: Allow the ciabatta loaf to cool before cutting.Make Ciabatta Rolls: This dough is great for making ciabatta rolls. Once the loaf has been made into a rectangle on the floured parchment, dip a pizza cutter into flour, then cut the loaf into 6 squares. Other Uses: Use up any leftover ciabatta by making it into garlic bread. It’s also great for sandwiches and croutons.
On the Counter: Leftover ciabatta bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store on the counter at room temperature.In the Freezer: Ciabatta freezes perfectly! Wrap leftover bread tightly in foil and seal it in a sealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. You can either slice it before you freeze it, or freeze it whole and slice it when it’s thawed.
Sourdough Bread
Potato Bread
Challah Bread
Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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