Homemade Ciabatta Bread

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If you’ve ever sunk your teeth into a piece of ciabatta and marveled at its chewy crust and soft, airy interior, this recipe is for you. Homemade Ciabatta Bread may look rustic and impressive, but it’s delightfully straightforward to make once you understand a few essentials. Perfect for sandwiches, dunking into olive oil, or serving alongside a steaming bowl of soup, ciabatta’s spongy holes and crisp crust make it a bakery favorite that’s even better from your own oven.

The dough is wetter than most, which contributes to that signature open crumb. It requires a bit of patience and a gentle touch, but the results are so rewarding. Plus, it only uses a handful of pantry staples. Whether you’re a seasoned bread maker or new to working with yeast, this is a fantastic project to level up your home baking game.

What Makes Ciabatta Bread So Unique?

Ciabatta is an Italian white bread known for its light, porous interior and thin, crisp crust. What sets it apart is its high hydration dough, which creates the large holes and chewy texture. Shaped freeform without a loaf pan, its name literally means “slipper” in Italian, referring to its flattened shape.

This bread doesn’t require fancy shaping techniques or scoring—its beauty lies in its simplicity and character. The overnight fermentation method also gives it a slight tang, adding complexity to the flavor.

Ingredients for the Homemade Ciabatta Bread

Bread Flour – Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps develop the strong gluten network necessary for those beautiful holes.

Yeast – You can use instant or active dry yeast. This is what brings the dough to life, helping it rise and giving it that airy structure.

Water – Cold or room temperature water hydrates the flour and helps achieve the loose, sticky dough that ciabatta requires.

Salt – Essential not just for taste, but also for strengthening the gluten structure.

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How To Make the Homemade Ciabatta Bread

Step 1: Make the Preferment (Biga)

In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon yeast, 1/2 cup water, and 1 cup of bread flour. Stir until combined, cover loosely, and let it sit overnight at room temperature. This builds flavor and helps the dough develop strength.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a stand mixer bowl, add the biga, 2 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, and 3/4 cup water. Mix on low speed until just combined, then increase speed and mix until the dough becomes elastic and slightly pulls from the sides. It will still be sticky.

Step 3: Stretch and Fold

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Then, perform a series of 3 stretch-and-folds every 30 minutes over the next 1.5 hours. This strengthens the gluten without kneading.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Dust a work surface heavily with flour. Gently turn the dough out and divide into two rectangles using a bench scraper. Avoid degassing the dough. Transfer each piece to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rest, uncovered, for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 475°F.

Step 5: Bake

Slide the parchment paper with dough onto a hot baking stone or baking tray. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crusty. Let cool completely before slicing.

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How to Store and Serve Ciabatta Bread

Homemade ciabatta is best enjoyed fresh the day it’s baked, when the crust is perfectly crisp and the interior is tender. For short-term storage, wrap it in a paper bag at room temperature for up to two days. Avoid plastic bags—they trap moisture and ruin the crust.

To freeze, wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. This revives the crust and makes it taste freshly baked.

What to Serve With Ciabatta Bread?

Olive Oil and Balsamic Dip

Simple and elegant. Add herbs or roasted garlic for a gourmet touch.

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Spoon fresh tomato salad onto toasted slices for a summery appetizer.

Soup Companion

Serve alongside warm bowls of Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Tuscan Bean Soup for a cozy meal.

Rustic Sandwiches

Use it for paninis or loaded Italian sandwiches with prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula.

Cheese Boards

Slice and toast for a perfect pairing with soft cheeses and charcuterie.

Garlic Bread

Brush with garlic butter, toast, and top with herbs or cheese.

Breakfast Toast

Top with avocado, eggs, or ricotta and honey for a savory or sweet start.

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Want More Bread Ideas?

If this Homemade Ciabatta Bread got you excited about baking, here are some other delicious recipes to try next:

• Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites for a gooey breakfast treat.
• Buttery Stuffed Artichokes if you’re feeling savory and Mediterranean.
• Roasted Parmesan Green Beans to serve alongside your fresh bread.
• Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake to finish dinner on a sweet note.
• Scalloped Potatoes for an ultimate comfort food combo.

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest baking board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you use a pizza stone or a tray? Did you toast slices with garlic? I love hearing how you make these recipes your own. Feel free to ask questions—let’s help each other bake better.

Explore more health-boosting and comfort-baking ideas on ChefAlchemy’s Recipes and discover your next must-try dish! For daily food inspiration, check out our Pinterest boards.

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