Big Ole Bill's Authentic 3-Ingredient Italian Ciabatta Bread Recipe | Bread/Muffins | 30Seconds Food (2024)

This homemade ciabatta bread recipe might take a while to make, but the flavor is worth the wait! Ciabatta is an Italian bread that can be used in so many different ways. It's delicious just spread with butter or dipped in olive oil, or use it for pizza or sandwiches.

The authentic three-ingredient Italian ciabatta bread has simple ingredients: bread flour, dry yeast, water for the starter. Add bread flour, salt and water, and you're on your way to a wonderful bread dough. This will be your new favorite bread recipe!

Ciabatta bread is chewy and slightly crispy. So delicious!Don't be intimidated by baking bread. This ciabatta bread recipe is simple to make.

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time:6+ hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 6 1/2 hours (approximately)
Servings: Makes 3 loaves

Ingredients

Starter

  • 2 cupsbread flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoondry yeast (instant and regular both work)
  • 1 cupwater (between 110 and 115 degrees F)

Dough

  • 5 - 6 cupsbread flour, sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonssalt
  • 2 cups water (110 to 115 degrees F)

For Greasing

  • 2 - 3 tablespoonsolive oil

Here's how to make it:

  1. First we make the starter. In a medium bowl, mix water and yeast. If using regular yeast, wait 10 minutes or so until yeast has creamy texture. If using instant yeast, just mix yeast and water straight into flour in the next step.
  2. Mix flour and water and yeast mixture into bowl to form sticky and loose dough.Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 3 or 4 hours. You can also make this the night before and let it sit overnight.
  3. Once the starter rests it will be bubbly. Pour 2 more cups of warm water into it a little at a time. Scrape along the edge of the bowl with a spatula.
  4. Pour mixture into astand mixer bowl with an oiled dough hook. Mix on low for 1 to2 minutes, and continue to mix while slowly adding flour. Add salt with last cup of flour. Mix on medium for 10 minutes. Then mix on high for 10 more minutes. Dough should pull away from sides of the mixing bowl.
  5. Transfer to dough to a bowl greased with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 40 to50 minutes.
  6. Dip a spatula in warm water. Fold dough from outside to center. Do this seven to10 times. Using hands raise dough out of bowl and until it starts to fold over and put back in bowl. Turn bowl 90 degrees and do this again. Cover again and let rise for another 40 to 50 minutes. Repeat spatula folds and lifting folds again.
  7. Generously sprinkle work surface with flour, and let dough slide onto it by flipping bowl upside down. Sprinkle the top of the dough with flour, and gently form dough to a rectangle. Cut dough into three elongated loaves. I use a bench scraper to do this.Generously sprinkle three kitchen hand towels with flour. Transfer one loaf to center of each towel and cover by folding towel ends over each one.
  8. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F while bread is resting in towel. Line abaking pan withparchment paper and sprinkle paper with flour. Flip each loaf gently from towels onto parchment paper.Spray the oven with warm water right before you place it in oven to create steam.
  9. Bake for 450 degrees F for 10 minutes without opening the oven. Leave bread in oven and reduce heat to 400 degrees F and then bake for another 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

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Stand Mixers $50 & Up
Yeast $4 & Up
Bread Flour $3 & Up
Table Salt $1 & Up
Olive Oil $4 & Up
Baking Pans $8 & Up
Parchment Paper $3 & Up
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Big Ole Bill's Authentic 3-Ingredient Italian Ciabatta Bread Recipe | Bread/Muffins | 30Seconds Food (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between ciabatta and Italian bread? ›

The main difference between these two loaves of bread comes down to the hydration levels. 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.

How do you eat ciabatta loaf? ›

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 does ciabatta bread taste 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 ciabatta bread a healthy bread? ›

A. Ciabatta bread is relatively high in carbohydrates than other bread forms. However, it has adequate fibre, sugar, protein, and essential vitamins for a healthy diet. As a result, it is an excellent source of energy.

Is ciabatta bread healthy to eat? ›

The whole wheat, calcium, and fiber found in ciabatta bread can aid in proper digestion, prevent type 2 diabetes, and promote bone health (although not all ciabatta is made from whole wheat).

How do Italians eat ciabatta? ›

In Italy, ciabatta is eaten in many ways. Popular variations with the Italians are to sprinkle a slice of the bread with good-quality olive oil, dip pieces broken off the loaf in pasta or salad sauce, or treat themselves to a panini filled with salami, mozzarella or Parma ham.

Is ciabatta actually Italian? ›

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.

Why does ciabatta taste different? ›

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.

Do you eat ciabatta hot or cold? ›

Oven cook - From Ambient: Ready to eat. This product may be served hot or cold.

What to eat ciabatta bread with? ›

Ciabatta bread can be enjoyed on its own, especially when it's fresh and warm. It's also delicious when paired with accompaniments such as olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, or as a side to soups, salads, and pasta dishes. What are some creative ways to enjoy ciabatta bread?

What is the best way to heat up 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 is the healthiest bread to eat? ›

Here are our top 7 choices for wholesome, nutrient-dense breads.
  1. Sprouted whole grain. Sprouted bread is made from whole grains that have started to sprout from exposure to heat and moisture. ...
  2. Sourdough. ...
  3. 100% whole wheat. ...
  4. Oat bread. ...
  5. Flax bread. ...
  6. 100% sprouted rye bread. ...
  7. Healthy gluten-free bread.

What is a fun fact about ciabatta bread? ›

Ciabatta bread was first produced in 1982, by Arnaldo Cavallari, who called the bread ciabatta polesana after Polesine, the area he lived in. The recipe was subsequently licensed by Cavallari's company, Molini Adriesi, to bakers in 11 countries by 1999.

What makes ciabatta different from bread? ›

Ciabatta is a much higher hydration bread

The fact is, ciabatta is a particularly high-hydration bread — in baker's percentages, it typically has 80% or higher hydration and can get quite sticky and difficult to work with during the kneading process. Because of this, it also needs a longer kneading process.

What is the closest bread to ciabatta bread? ›

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 is the most popular bread in Italy? ›

Perhaps the most well-known and popular Italian bread, ciabatta is a slipper-shaped bread. It has a unique, almost plasticity, texture, which makes it possible to do practically anything with this bread.

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