Ciabatta Bread (2024)

  1. Place water, olive oil, bread flour, salt, sugar, and yeast into a bread machine in the order listed, or follow the order recommended by the manufacturer if different. Run the Dough cycle, about 90 minutes.

  2. Remove dough from the machine after the cycle is done. It will be quite sticky and wet; resist the temptation to add more flour. Place dough onto a generously floured board, cover with a large bowl or greased plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes.

  3. Lightly flour two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper. Cut dough with a serrated knife into two equal pieces; form each into piece into a 3x14-inch oval. Tranfer loaves to the prepared baking sheets and dust lightly with flour. Cover and let rise in a draft-free place for approximately 45 minutes.

  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

  5. Spritz loaves with water, then place onto the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Editor's Note:

To make this recipe in a stand mixer, combine all of the ingredients except the olive oil in the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed using the dough hook, scraping the dough down occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add olive oil and mix for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a floured board and proceed with Step 2.

Ciabatta Bread (2024)

FAQs

What makes ciabatta different from bread? ›

Ciabatta is baked with a much higher hydration level, making the holes within the dough much bigger than a baguette. Ciabatta is also baked with a much stronger flour, which has a more delicate and sweet taste. Baguettes also tend to be baked more golden brown.

Is ciabatta bread a healthy bread? ›

A. Yes, it is. If you consume ciabatta in moderation and with the right foods, it can offer various health benefits. Ciabatta contains multiple essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins such as carbohydrates, proteins, iron, sodium, and vitamins B1 and B3.

Is ciabatta bread a sourdough? ›

In addition to the varying leavening agents used, the texture and flavor of sourdough bread and ciabatta bread are different due to the ingredients and process used in making the bread. For example, ciabatta bread has a higher water content, giving ciabatta an airier and lighter texture compared to sourdough bread.

How should you eat ciabatta? ›

Slice ciabatta at an angle and serve with olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper for dipping. Or make sandwiches filled with Italian meats, cheese and tomatoes. Ciabatta bread also works well in toasted or grilled sandwiches (known as 'panini' in Britain).

Why is ciabatta so good? ›

It is comprised of just flour, yeast, and water. This fermented sponge is what gives the ciabatta its amazing, slightly tangy flavor.

Is it best to toast ciabatta bread? ›

We recommend using Ciabatta bread for the perfect 'Italian Toast'! Simply slice the Ciabatta into 1cm thick pieces, toast each side on a griddle pan (or you can use a toaster) and then drizzle with Giuliano's Extra Virgin Olive Oil and season with the salt & pepper.

Is ciabatta bread high in carbs? ›

Carbs. As with most bread, the carbohydrate count in ciabatta is high. A 57-gram slice or roll contains 29 grams of carbs, the majority of which contain fiber for healthy digestion.

Is ciabatta hard or soft? ›

It's soft, incredibly open, and light in hand—almost like a bushel of puffy marshmallows bound together by a crust poised to shatter at the slightest pressure. This is a loaf of bread that asks you to tear it with hands, dunked into the best olive oil in the pantry.

Is focaccia a ciabatta? ›

Here are three differentiating points between focaccia and ciabatta: Texture: Focaccia has a lightweight, cake-like consistency that is similar to pizza dough. On the other hand, ciabatta has a dense consistency and a chewy texture. Baking: Focaccia is baked as a flatbread, while Ciabatta is baked as loaves.

Is ciabatta a baguette? ›

There are striking similarities between the baguette and ciabatta, but the biggest difference is in the level of moisture in the dough. The wet dough used in ciabatta creates alveolar holes in the bread during the baking process, which changes the texture of the bread.

What ethnicity is ciabatta bread? ›

Ciabatta is an Italian bread that was first produced back in 1982 by Arnaldo Cavallari. Cavallari was a miller and baker near Venice. During this time the French Baguettes were very popular and bakeries wanted to develop a product that would be able to compete with a baguette.

Do you warm ciabatta bread? ›

To warm Bread, place in a preheated oven 200˚C (400˚F) for 3-5 minutes. Be careful – bread will be hot! Let cool before cutting or eating. TIP: Freezes well for up to 3 months or enjoy right out of the bag within 3 days.

What to pair with ciabatta? ›

Eats ciabatta is an all-arounder. You can pair it with your tomato soup to start, have it as a carrier for cured meats and cheeses, or even use it to savor the last drippings of your favorite entree.

Can you eat ciabatta untoasted? ›

You can consume ciabatta bread the same way as regular bread. It is also ideal bread to make a panini sandwich. If you prefer ciabatta untoasted, you can try it with mozzarella cheese, tomato slices and basil. It is very common in Italy to eat ciabatta slices drizzled with some olive oil.

What is the difference between a ciabatta and a baguette? ›

"It reminds people of the older breads," Arnaldo Cavallari told The Guardian, describing his loaf as the "taste of an old-fashioned bread." The texture of ciabatta is chewy yet light and fluffy, with all its extra open-crumb air holes. By contrast, a French baguette, while airy, has small holes and a crisp crust.

What are the characteristics of ciabatta bread? ›

A ciabatta is an Italian yeast-leavened artisan and hearth-type bread made with a lean formula. It is characterized by having a crisp crust and a large, irregular and open crumb grain (cell structure).

What's the difference between focaccia and ciabatta bread? ›

Here are three differentiating points between focaccia and ciabatta: Texture: Focaccia has a lightweight, cake-like consistency that is similar to pizza dough. On the other hand, ciabatta has a dense consistency and a chewy texture. Baking: Focaccia is baked as a flatbread, while Ciabatta is baked as loaves.

What is the difference between artisan bread and ciabatta bread? ›

Ciabatta loaves are more moist and spongy than most artisan breads. This is largely due to the addition of olive oil in the dough. Ciabatta is generally milder than sourdough but still has a slightly tangy, rustic sort of flavor.

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