Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

Homemade Italian Loaves

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 15h 26m
Cook Time: 30m
Total Time: 3h 56m
Temp.: 450 °F
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (28 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For the Starter Sponge:

For the Dough:

Nutritional Information

177
Calories
0.7g
Fat
36.3g
Carbohydrate
5.3g
Protein
1mg
Cholesterol
586mg
Sodium
Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

Recipe Description

When someone first suggested that I bake my own bread, I thought they were nuts but this Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread recipe is literally so simple that I would never think about buying store-bought ciabatta again. For a bachelor like myself, I was really proud of how my bread turned out and it was worth every effort. Simple ingredients and step by step instructions below!

To make Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Prepare sponge starter

    12h
    Step 1 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta BreadStep 1 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with ⅛ teaspoon of active dry yeast and ½ cup of warm water until it all comes together without over mixing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for at least 12 to 24 hours.

  2. 2

    Prepare dough

    6 min
    Step 2 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta BreadStep 2 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    In a stand mixer, combine the activated sponge starter with 2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, ½ teaspoon of active dry yeast, ¾ cup of warm water and ¼ cup of whole milk. Using a paddle attachment, mix on a low speed for 1 minute and scrape down all excess bits from the sides then increase the speed to medium-low and continue mixing for about 5 minutes until a sticky dough forms.

  3. 3

    Knead

    10 min
    Step 3 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Using the dough hook, knead the bread on a low speed for about 2 minutes. Then increase to medium speed and knead for 8 another minutes. The dough should still be sticky. No need to add more flour.

  4. 4

    First rise

    1h
    Step 4 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta BreadStep 4 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Transfer the kneaded dough to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside, at room temperature, for about 1 hour to rise until doubled in volume.

  5. 5

    First fold

    2 min
    Step 5 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Lightly grease a spatula with cooking spray and use it to fold the dough. Begin by gently pulling a ¼ section from the edge over the dough, over itself and into the middle. Rotate the bowl about 90 degrees and fold again. Continue doing this about 6 times with a total of 8 folds and 2 complete turns of the bowl.

  6. 6

    Second rise

    45 min
    Step 6 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Re-cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for another 45 minutes to rise until doubled in volume.

  7. 7

    Second fold

    2 min
    Step 7 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    To fold the dough a second time, repeat the directions from step number 5.

  8. 8

    Third rise

    45 min
    Step 8 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Cover the bowl, a third time, with plastic wrap and set aside to rise again for about 45 minutes.

  9. 9

    Preheat oven

    Preheat the oven to 450 °F and place a baking stone on the middle oven rack.

  10. 10

    Divide dough

    1 min
    Step 10 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta BreadStep 10 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Once risen, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, dust the top with a few sprinkles of flour and divide into 2 equal pieces.

  11. 11

    Shape loaves

    5 min
    Step 11 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta BreadStep 11 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta BreadStep 11 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Gently shape the dough pieces into 12×8-inch rectangles, taking care to not work the dough too much then fold the short sides again towards the center to form 8×4-inch rectangles.

  12. 12

    Final rise

    30 min
    Step 12 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Transfer the loaves to a baking sheet lined with baking paper and lightly sprinkled with a bit of flour. Cover, loosely with some plastic wrap and set aside for a final 30 minutes to rise before baking.

  13. 13

    Bake

    30 min
    Step 13 - Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread

    Gently poke the loaves into 10x6-inch rectangle shapes and dust off any excess flour and lightly spray with a bit of water mist. Do not soak. Bake in the preheated oven, on the baking stone, for 5 minutes, then spray again, twice, with water mist. Finally, bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and baked in the center.

  14. 14

    Serve

    Cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

You don’t need to be a professional baker to make these Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread loaves. Let us know how your own loaves turn out and tag us in some of your own pics online using our hashtag #cookmerecipes!

About the author

Jeff O'connor

Jeff is a 38-year-old bachelor who prefers not to waste his time on salads and light meals. He’s a true carnivore who knows how to enjoy food to the max! Jeff will tell you how to cook rich and filling meals from scratch, bringing some real meaty decadence to your kitchen. His recipes are sure to satisfy every meat lover!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (28 reviews)
Zara Thompson
April 24, 2025
Verified

Delicious!

Ulysses Grant
October 30, 2024
Verified

I never thought I could bake bread, but this ciabatta recipe changed my life! My kids loved it, and my wife was so impressed. Now, we make it every weekend. Super simple and delicious!

Queenie
August 20, 2024
Verified

Wow!

Zoe Johnson
July 21, 2024
Verified

Turned out perfect

Andrew
May 20, 2024
Verified

Super easy bread

Harry
February 7, 2024
Verified

I never thought I could bake bread myself, but the Easy Homemade Ciabatta Bread recipe made it so simple. My kids loved helping me knead the dough and we enjoyed it fresh out of the oven. Thank you!

Zach
October 10, 2023
Verified

Best bread ever!

Pierre
March 28, 2023
Verified

Je n'aurais jamais cru que faire du pain serait si facile. J'ai essayé cette recette et mon ciabatta était croustillant à l'extérieur et moelleux à l'intérieur. Mon épouse a adoré, merci pour ce délice.

Briana
October 28, 2022
Verified

I was scared to try bread-making but this recipe made it fun! I made ciabatta for my husband's birthday dinner, and everyone couldn't stop raving about it! Such simple ingredients, yet the flavor was out of this world. I’m hooked!

Dani
October 8, 2022
Verified

I never thought I could bake my own bread, but this ciabatta recipe is simply amazing! It turned out soft and delicious. I made it for a cozy dinner with my husband, and he loved it. Now, I feel like a pro baker in my own kitchen.

Xander
September 23, 2022
Verified

Made this ciabatta for a buddy night and it was a hit. Super easy.

Vicky
April 20, 2022
Verified

So easy love!

Zoe Anderson
March 3, 2022
Verified

So chuffed wit my first homemade ciabatta! Yummy!

Antoine Dupont
June 25, 2021
Verified

Wow!

Krystal Welk
April 12, 2021
Verified

Used coconut milk to make this ciabtta vegan.

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