Ciabatta Bread

Bring the rustic charm of Italian baking to your kitchen with this homemade ciabatta bread recipe. Renowned for its signature airy texture and golden, crisp crust, this artisan-style loaf is surprisingly easy to make with just a handful of pantry staples—bread flour, yeast, olive oil, honey, and salt. A slow rise gives the dough its light, open crumb structure, while a touch of honey adds subtle sweetness to every bite. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or serving alongside your favorite soups and pastas, this ciabatta loaf is a versatile classic that will elevate any meal. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting out, this step-by-step recipe ensures bakery-quality results in your own home.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Bread flour
• 375 milliliters Water
• 7 grams Dry yeast
• 10 grams Salt
• 15 milliliters Olive oil
• 5 grams Honey

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the bread flour and dry yeast. Mix well.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, warm the water until it is lukewarm (around 37°C or 98°F). Stir in the honey until dissolved.

Step 3

Gradually pour the water and honey mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 4

Add the salt and olive oil to the dough. Knead for about 10 minutes on a floured surface or in a stand mixer with a dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Gently deflate the dough and turn it out onto a well-floured surface. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and shape each into a rectangular loaf. Be careful not to over-handle the dough to preserve its airy texture.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle with flour or semolina to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Transfer the shaped dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it proof for 30 minutes.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife, make 2-3 shallow slashes across the tops of the loaves to allow for expansion during baking.

Step 10

Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 11

Remove the ciabatta from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(416.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	164.1

Total Fat 14.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3950.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 6.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.4g	0%
Total Sugars 4.1g
Protein 2.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 25.2mg	0%
Iron 0.4mg	0%
Potassium 143.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 77.3%

Protein: 6.4%

Carbs: 16.3%