Ciabatta Bread
A simple and forgiving recipe for homemade ciabatta bread, perfect for those new to baking bread. This airy and chewy bread is made with just a few ingredients and requires minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Bread Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour Regular flour from the grocery store works well.
- 1.5 cups water Room temperature, not ice-cold, not hot.
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt.
- Add water and mix until a dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise for 12-18 hours at room temperature.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, then gently stretch it into a rectangle.
- Fold the dough in thirds like a letter, then transfer it to a floured baking sheet.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for another 1-2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Notes
This recipe is very forgiving. Don't panic if the dough looks wrong; it's meant to be sticky and messy. Flour your counter generously when shaping. Don’t rush the rise time for better flavor and texture. This bread keeps well and can be frozen.