Ciabatta Bread Recipe
Ciabatta is aclassic Italian bread known for its crispy crust and light, airy texture. Thiseasy homemade recipe serves 4 and uses simple ingredients like bread flour,water, yeast, salt, and olive oil. The dough requires time to rise and stretch,but most of it is hands-off. Bake until golden, then cool before slicing.Perfect for sandwiches, soups, or dipping in olive oil. Ready in about 4 hours, with around 200 calories perserving.
Ingredients
- 2 cups 250g bread flour
- ¾ cup 180ml warm water
- ½ tsp instant yeast or ¾ tsp active dry yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil plus more for greasing
Instructions
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest at room temperature for 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
- Stretch and fold: Lightly oil your hands. Gently stretch the dough and fold it over itself. Turn the bowl and repeat on all sides. Do this 3–4 times, every 30 minutes.
- Shape the dough: Sprinkle flour on your work surface. Carefully turn out the dough. Divide it into two long, flat pieces. Handle gently to keep the air bubbles.
- Second rise: Place dough pieces on a floured baking sheet. Cover and let them rest for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a baking stone or tray inside to heat.
- Bake the bread: Slide the dough onto the hot surface. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Cool before serving: Allow the ciabatta to rest on a wire rack for a minimum of 30 minutes before cutting into it.