Easy Ciabatta Bread Recipe
Ciabatta is an Italian bread with a light texture due to the air bubbles which form in the dough and is perfect for sharing.
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Rising time 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 50 minutes mins
Course Bread
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 312 kcal
Stage 1 - make the dough
Weigh the flour into a large bowl or mixer bowl.
Add the yeast and salt to the flour, keeping them separate on either side.
Measure the warm water & olive oil into a jug.
Make a well in the flour, add the water & oil mix and bring together until all ingredients are combined.
Knead the mixture for 10 minutes using a dough hook or 12 minutes by hand (see tip below if kneading by hand).
Place the dough in a large oiled bowl and cover with cling film or a cloth.
Let the dough rise for at least 2 hours until its around 3 times its original size and bubbly.
Stage 2 - Shape the bread
Once risen cover your surface with plenty of flour.
Gently tip the dough out onto the surface using a dough scraper, handling as little as possible to retain the air bubbles and sprinkle plenty of four over the top.
Using the side of your hands, carefully push the dough into a rough rectangular shape.
Divide the dough up into 2, 4 or 8 depending on how big you want your loaves/rolls to be.
Carefully pick up each piece of dough holding an end with each hand and place it onto an oiled baking tray, leaving space between each one.
Stage 3 - bake the bread
Preheat the oven to 230°C/450°F
Leave to rise again on the tray for another 15 minutes.
Bake for around 20-25 minutes until golden brown and then leave on a wire rack to cool.
Sodium: 729mgCalcium: 17mgVitamin A: 20IUSugar: 1gFiber: 2gPotassium: 94mgCalories: 312kcalSaturated Fat: 1gFat: 2gProtein: 11gCarbohydrates: 61gIron: 1mg