I was looking for a simple but delicious ciabatta recipe. I tried several things from very elaborate methods that included folding the dough many times to having it rise multiple times.
As often in life, the simple things are often the best. I developed the below recipe that needs minimal ingredients and steps.
This bake will result in a wonderful ciabatta that is fluffy and full of taste. if you let it bake 20-25 minutes, the bread will have a delicious crust and will be fluffy and inside.
Ciabatta Recipe Ingredients & Steps
Ingredients:
- 500g bread flour
- 10g salt
- 7g instant yeast
- 400ml lukewarm water
- Olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions:
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and instant yeast.
- Gradually add the lukewarm water to the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step.
- First Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat it with oil.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Ciabatta:
- Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it by pressing down on it with your fingertips.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a rectangle or oval shape, about 1 inch thick. You can use your hands to gently stretch and pull the dough into shape.
- Second Rise:
- Transfer the shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the Oven:
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack of the oven.
- Bake the Ciabatta:
- Once the dough has finished its second rise, carefully transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven.
- Pour about 1 cup of hot water into the shallow pan on the bottom rack of the oven to create steam.
- Bake the ciabatta for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Enjoy:
- Transfer the baked ciabatta to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy your homemade ciabatta bread with your favorite toppings or as a side to soups and salads.