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Foolproof Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Bread Recipes

I’ve always thought of ciabatta as that bread with the dramatic air pockets that makes you feel like a professional baker, even if you’ve never worn a chef’s hat in your life. This recipe takes the mystery out of making it at home, and once you’ve smelled that warm, rustic loaf cooling on your counter, you’ll understand why I keep coming back to it. We’re talking about a bread that’s crisp on the outside and light as a cloud inside. Perfect for dunking in olive oil, stacking with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, or just tearing apart while it’s still warm because you can’t wait. With this method, the slow rise does the hard work for you, so there’s no frantic kneading or complicated steps to memorize. If you’ve been hunting through homemade bread recipes for something approachable yet impressive, you’ve just found it. Whether you’re into easy bread recipes, quick breads recipes, the best homemade bread, sweet bread recipes, keto bread recipes, or quick bread recipes, this one is your new go-to. Grab your flour, water, yeast, and salt, and let’s make some bread that feels like a small victory every time it comes out of the oven.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time3 hours 25 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Best Homemade Bread, easy bread recipes, homemade bread recipes, Keto Bread Recipes, Quick Bread Recipes, Quick Breads Recipes, Sweet Bread Recipes
Servings: 2 loaves
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 500g bread flour
  • 475g water, at room temperature
  • 2g instant yeast
  • 10g salt

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, water, and yeast. Mix until no dry spots remain.
  2. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
  3. Add the salt and mix until incorporated.
  4. Cover again and let the dough rise for 2 to 3 hours, folding it gently every 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F) and place a baking stone or steel inside.
  6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface, shape it gently into a rectangle, and divide into loaves.
  7. Let the shaped dough rest for 30 minutes.
  8. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  9. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.