The Cozy Cookbook is here! This crispy crusted homemade ciabatta bread has a soft, warm center with little crannies that are perfect for dipping into seasoned oil, butter, soups, dips, and more!
Hi, my name is Stephanie. And I am not, a baker. So it’s just amazing that I’ve been able to make this recipe for years and never mess it up. I mean, some days the holes are larger, some days the dough rises up higher, but ultimately, it’s always been delicious. There are so many different methods to making this bread, some recipes have literally have about 6,000 steps. I like to keep things as simple as possible, and at the end of the day, the bread comes out just as good. So let’s get into it.
What is Ciabatta Bread?
Ciabatta bread is an Italian bread with a crispy crusted outside, and a soft and airy inside. The crannies on the inside are a perfect way to absorb seasoned oil, sauces, and dips. Ciabatta bread also makes a great sandwich bread.
What is a Starter Dough?
A starter dough (or “sponge”) is a simple mixture of yeast, water, and flour that sits for an extended period of time to allow it to ferment. It is then added to dough and acts as a leavening agent, perhaps with the addition of more yeast. This helps create the best tasting bread.
👉The top left image is what the starter dough will look like when its finished, nice and porous!
Storing Ciabatta Bread
Before storing, ensure that the bread has cooled completely. Then wrap it tightly in foil or in an airtight plastic bag. Leave it at room temperature, do not refrigerate as that will cause it to dry out. It will remain good at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Can You Freeze Ciabatta Bread?
Yes! To freeze Ciabatta bread, wrap it in aluminum foil or freezer plastic wrap and place it into an airtight freezer bag. It will be at its freshest if used within 3 months, however it’s still safe beyond that time-frame.
Ways to Use Leftover Ciabatta Bread
–Homemade Croutons are a perfect way to use up leftover Ciabatta bread.
-French Toast is also a delicious way to make use of bread that’s a few days old.
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Homemade Ciabatta Bread
Ingredients
Yeast Starter Dough: (Needs to sit for 8-12 hours. Overnight works well too)
- 1/2 tsp. rapid rise yeast
- 3/4 cup room temperature water
- 1 cup bread flour or all-purpose flour
Ciabatta Dough:
- 1/2 teaspoon rapid rise yeast
- 3/4 cup room temperature water
- Yeast Starter Dough, from above
- 2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
Phase One: Starter Dough:
- Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well. Cover with Saran Wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 8-12 hours, or overnight. This dough doesn't rise so you won't need excess room in the bowl.
Phase Two: Ciabatta Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the yeast and the water. Add the starter dough and mix gently. Add the flour and salt and mix until combined.
- Use a hand mixer and mix the dough on low for 3 minutes, then let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Repeat, mixing for another 3 minutes and letting it sit for 10.
- Remove the dough with a silicone spatula and drop into a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for 45 minutes.
- Use the same silicone spatula and drop the dough onto a floured surface. Sprinkle the top of the dough with flour. The dough will be extremely sticky.
- Take one end of the dough and fold it up into the middle. Take the other end, and fold that one into the middle.
- Sprinkle more flour on top of the dough and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Repeat the two prior steps again, folding and letting it sit for another 15.
- Take the bread and create an 8x8 inch square.
- Use a sharp knife and cut the square in half. Cover each of the loaves with a light dish towel and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 475 degrees while it sits.
- Gently lift the loaves onto a greased baking sheet, trying to touch them the least amount possible.
- Bake for 17-25 minutes, (mine was ready after 17 exactly so I’d keep an eye on it a little before that time.)
- Let it cool on a cooling rack and then slice it up and serve!
Stephanie, that ciabatta looks just perfect like it came out of an italian bakery! Very impressive! Thank you for sharing the detailed recipe 🙂
Wow thank you Naina, a bakery- wow! Never thought I’d hear those words, I’m no bread baker! But this recipe was actually really easy so I lucked out.
PERFECT texture!!
Great job, Stephanie – that crumb looks fabulous – so light and airy; the loaves just look so authentic! I’ve been making a lot of sourdough recently and now want to try this! Happy Fiesta Friday!
Thank you Selma! Oh I really want to try making sourdough too but I’m scared- is it hard? 🙂 I’m not master bread maker, but lucked out with this Ciabatta bread recipe, it was nice & easy! 🙂
Yes I will be making this bread. I will force my hubby to share. Thank you for the heads up on the starter and for sharing!
Oh you’ll have to let me know how it turns out Julie! At this least recipe makes 2 loaves so you can each have one, haha!
Bread and butta is my number one weakness when it comes to food, Stephanie. This loaf of ciabatta leaves me weak in the knees…oh, what I wouldn’t do for a warm slice right of the oven! From the looks of it’s crusty exterior and soft interior, it leads me to believe it’s downright delicious. 😛 No wonder your hubby wants more, more, more! Thanks for bringing it along to the Fiesta Friday Part 2 Anniversary Party…I bet it disappears quickly!
Hey Nancy!! YUP- Bread and butta. (and cheese.)- if not for those 3 things, I’d be teeny weeny! Your description of the bread is right on, I love a nice crunchy outside and warm soft inside, it absorbs that butta like nobody’s business! 😉
There is nothing better than warm homemade bread and good butter. Your bread looks so good, I too love ciabatta. I really like how simple your recipe is and look at those results, I can see why your husband is smitten.
Thank you Suzanne! Yes, I was definitely shocked with the simplicity of this recipe- which is perfect for me because I don’t have much bread making experience- my bread maker usually does the work 😉
I love ciabatta, I’ve never made it myself though! This looks soooo good, I swear I can almost smell it!
Thanks Michelle! Yeah I really can’t get over this Ciabatta, definitely my favorite, although I’m being biased at this moment… hahaha 😉 But really. It’s so good. Makes me want to venture out and try some other breads. MMMMMMM!
You have actually convinced me to try making this. Ciabatta is such a favourite in our house but I’ve never tried making it myself. I’m going to give it a go and keep my fingers crossed that mine turns out even half as good as yours.
Thank you Anita! You definitely should– And I am NOT an experienced bread maker by any means and this came out perfect, so I’m extra confident that yours will too! I can’t believe how tasty it is and you don’t even need many ingredients at all, no need to run out to the store if you have yeast on hand and a few other staples 🙂
I’ve always wanted to make ciabatta bread- it’s definitely on my Recipe Bucket List. I can easily understand how your husband put away so much of this, it looks perfect. Awesome job, thank you for bringing to the Fiesta Friday party!
Thanks Jess! I was soo happy this turned out well because I’m not a very experienced bread maker. I totally blamed my hubby for eating it all but I can’t really say that I didn’t have a slice… or two… or three. Actually those 3 slices in the picture? I put those AWAY after the photo sesh was done- I’m lucky I was able to get pics before devouring it!
Hey Jess! You really reaaaalllyy should make this! If you have yeast then you’ll be very likely to have the other things you need, just a few ingredients 🙂 I was snowed in so a trip to the store wasn’t an option. Thanks for visiting, if you try this Ciabatta bread you have to let me know how it comes out!
Oh girl, I swear we are like the same person! I soooooooo love BREAD, and especially ciabatta bread:D 😀 I’ve been making more and more of my own breads at home and this is the one I haven’t done yet. Believe me, I will be soon after seeing this recipe! Those pictures make me want to reach through the screen, grab a slice or two of that bread and dip it in some seasoned oil! 😀
AMANDA! I KNOW!!!! We’re freakin twins! We are!! That’s how I feel every time you post something, EVERY single time!!! LOL. The Cozy Cook and the Chunky Chef- We could take over the world! I’m tellin ya. We could. And everyone would be full and happy 😉