Description
Italian Ciabatta Bread is rustic, airy, and delightfully chewy, with a golden crust that crackles at every bite. Made with just four simple ingredients, this homemade bread is perfect for dipping, sandwiches, or simply enjoying warm from the oven.
Ingredients
- Bread Flour: 4 cups (500 g)
- Warm Water: 1½ cups (360 ml)
- Instant Yeast: 2 teaspoons
- Salt: 2 teaspoons
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a baking stone inside if using.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix into a sticky dough.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise 1–2 hours until doubled.
- Assemble the Dish: Dust a surface with flour. Transfer dough with a bench scraper and fold gently to build structure.
- Cook to Perfection: Shape into two loaves, place on parchment-lined sheet, rest 30 minutes, then bake 20–25 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.
- Finishing Touches: Cool on a wire rack completely before slicing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice and enjoy with olive oil, soups, or as sandwich bread.
Notes
- Use bread flour for best structure and crumb.
- Don’t over-flour the dough; stickiness is key to texture.
- Spray oven with water or add a pan of water for a crisp crust.
- Cool fully before slicing to avoid a gummy interior.