Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (2024)

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4.7 from 117 reviews

By:Pamela Reed

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Ciabatta bread recipe! This homemade bread is crusty and filled with holes! It’s easy to make in the bread machine. Serve it for sandwich, soup or a dinner side dish!

Do you love bread? Of course you do! Who doesn’t love bread? In this bread machine recipe I’m going to show you how to make a delicious loaf of Ciabatta bread!

Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (1)

What is Ciabatta bread?

Ciabatta bread is a Italian white bread, kinda like a French baguette, but more elongated and broad.It’s usually chewy in texture and filled with crumbly air holes. It’s perfect for dipping in soup, eating for a sandwich or just eating sliced with a little bit of butter!

Ciabatta bread machine recipe

This bread recipe is really easy to make because it’s made with a bread machine! Load the ingredients into the pan of your bread machine, in whatever order your machine recommends. Select the dough cycle and start it!

Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (2)

After the machine is done, flour a counter surface and place dough on it. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes, letting it rise. After that, divide the dough into 2 pieces, forming each into a bread loaf shape.

Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (3)

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and lightly dust a nonstick baking sheet. Place the dough on on a baking sheet.

Now here’s the secret….

How to make bread crispy!

Right before you put it into the oven, spritz the bread loaves with water. Just use a cheapo water bottle to spritz the bread. Please don’t skip this step as it’s really the secret key to crispy bread! Now bake for 25-30 minutes or until slightly browned.

Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (4)

How to freeze ciabatta bread

Even though this bread is hard NOT to eat immediately, if you want to freeze it you totally can. Often I might make a few loaves to freeze because our family loves bread!To freeze, wrap the entire loaf in aluminum foil and then put in a freezer bag in the freezer.You can defrost the bread at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until fully thawed.

What goes good with ciabatta bread?

Anything! Hahaha. No seriously, this bread is so good. Sometimes I just enjoy it with a little dab of butter or raspberry jam for a snack!

If you want to use it for a meal, why not try some of these recipes that go along perfectly with it? Try my Cauliflower Soup, Slow Cooker Chicken, Stuffed Shells, or my favorite Meatloaf recipe. You can also make delicious homemade sloppy joe sandwiches with it!

Enjoy this Ciabatta Bread Machine Recipe!

Other Delicious Bread Recipes:

  • 2 Hour Crockpot Bread
  • Homemade Pretzel Rolls
  • Cinnamon Swirl Bread
  • Whole Wheat Slow Cooker Bread
  • Fluffy Bread Machine Rolls
  • Bread Machine White Bread Recipe
  • Homemade Bread Machine Pizza Dough
  • Easy Garlic Knots
  • Bread Machine Italian Bread
  • Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
  • Moist Jalapeno Cornbread
  • Flaky Biscuits

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Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (5)

Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (6)

4.65 from 117 reviews

Easy Ciabatta Bread

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Ciabatta bread recipe! This homemade bread is crusty and filled with holes! It’s easy to make in the bread machine. Serve it for sandwich, soup or a dinner side dish!

By: Pamela Reed

serves 12

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 1/4 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons dried rosemary

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients into the pan of your bread machine, in the order your dough machine requires. Select the Dough cycle and start it.

  • Add a generous amount of flour to a counter surface and place dough on it. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.

  • Divide the dough into 2 pieces, forming a bread loaf shape with each. Place dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Dust lightly with flour on top.

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. With a water bottle, spritz the bread loaves with water. Please don’t skip this step – this makes the bread crispy! Bake bread for 25 to 30 minutes, or until slightly brown.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Bread Machine Recipe, Ciabatta Bread

Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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  1. Kristen says

    Are you supposed to use the leavened(30min) or unleavened dough cycle 90mins)?

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      I got that backwards, unleavened -30, leavened-90

      Reply

    • Patrick M says

      The answer is in your question. Leavened bread is bread with yeast

      Reply

  2. Arthur Marshall says

    Can I have the ingredient measurements in Gramms please?

    Reply

    • Pamela says

      Hey Arthur, I’m sorry I don’t offer that but you can easily grab the amounts and plug them into a calculator if you google. Enjoy the bread!

      Reply

  3. Jason says

    I made this today, so good! I added a handful of dried cranberries, crushed pecans and a teaspoon or so of flax seeds.
    It turned out perfectly airy and delicious!
    Any idea what the nutritional values are?
    Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply

  4. Sue Smyth says

    I now make this bread 3 times a week. Love it.

    Reply

  5. EdgedInBue says

    I did not get the holey crumb and my yeast is on target.

    Reply

  6. J. says

    Turned out perfect, thanks!

    Reply

  7. Kristen says

    Is the dough supposed to be crazy sticky?

    Reply

  8. Lynda says

    I found this recipe. I tried it. I loved it. Something that doesn’t have to wait 12 hours before baking.

    Reply

  9. Tonie T. says

    Wow. Finally I have found the perfect loaf! Thank you so much for this recipe. It’s so light and airy on the inside, yet perfectly crunchy on the outside. Even I can be a baker! I followed it exactly!

    Reply

    • Joe says

      I’ve used this recipe numerous times. My family loves this bread. It’s now a staple to the tune of 2 loaves per week. I just make one large instead of two smaller loaves. Like the cinnamon swirl bread, too.

      Reply

  10. Jam says

    I can’t seem to find a food safe water spritzer… what are my options?? Can I just flick some water over the loaves? Put a pan of just-boiled water underneath them in the oven?

    Reply

    • Pamela says

      Hey Jam, absolutely – you don’t need anything fancy, just flick some water with your hands. 🙂 Enjoy the bread!

      Reply

  11. Pablo S says

    Very easy to make. Came out crusty and delicious

    Reply

  12. Jamey Jeffries says

    making the bread for supper having soup

    Reply

  13. Eva says

    can i make this without bread machine? using stand mixer for kneading? How long to proof?

    Reply

  14. Mary says

    My bread did not come out crispy. It also did not have the holes and pockets in the bread but instead very dense. It was still very good. Just really looking for a bread to come out with a crunch on the outside and air holes inside. Maybe I will try it again. Not sure what I did wrong.

    Reply

    • kenneth says

      Sounds like your yeast might have been bad. As for crust, when was last time you calibrated temperature on oven? Might not have been hot enough if dough was properly wet.

      Reply

  15. ANNE DALEY says

    This bread looks so good. I have a 3 pound bread machine so I can double this recipe with no problem. My question is – Would I double everything even the yeast?

    Reply

  16. Colleen says

    Can you make this without a bread machine??

    Reply

  17. Lynda says

    Have you ever made ciabatta buns using this recipe?

    Reply

  18. Chuck says

    What a great recipe. Made it yesterday and also ate it yesterday.
    So easy to make and eat.

    Reply

    • Pamela says

      Thanks for stopping by Chuck, happy to hear you liked the recipe!

      Reply

  19. Tami Casey says

    Receive is right on. I left out the rosemary as I made rolls for hamburgers.

    Reply

  20. Gina says

    New at using bread machine. For this recipe should I set it at 2 or 1 1/2 pound loaf? T

    Reply

    • Diana says

      You are using machine on “dough” cycle so does not apply

      Reply

      • Doe* says

        What if I want it to cook in the bread machine. I don’t have an oven.

        Reply

  21. wayne says

    Tried this , worked out well . Will make it again, very good!!

    Reply

  22. Raik Liind says

    Tried it with white flour and was somewhat disappointed. Tried it again with a 50-50 mix of white and wholemeal flour. Love it. Have made it 6+ times since.

    Reply

    • Pamela says

      Hi Raik, make sure you’re trying it with bread flour for best results! Thanks for commenting! 🙂

      Reply

  23. Sarah says

    I’m wondering if 2 tablespoons of rosemary is a typo because I followed the recipe as instructed and the dough and bread was a gray color because of all the rosemary. The bread itself was a great consistency but the rosemary was too overpowering.

    Reply

    • Pamela says

      Hey Sarah, it’s not a typo, 2 tablespoons is correct. If the taste is too overwhelming for you then you can try with 1 tablespoon. Regarding the gray color, dried rosemary should not turn your bread gray. I suspect it’s a flour or salt issue causing the color, not rosemary. This link might help you: https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/46594/what-makes-bread-gray Hope this helps!

      Reply

  24. Gerald Kallan says

    (1) I used the “Quick Dough” cycle on my Zoji and it uses “Pre-heat”; does that affect the recipe? (2) I used a Convection Steam oven that starts with a cold oven and didn’t get a “holey” yet delicious bread; though I pulled it out at 205°, should I have stayed with your thermal oven? Need your thoughts. Easy recipe and fun to make.

    Reply

  25. barbara says

    best bread machine recipe for crusty bread that I’ve found!

    Reply

  26. Sara says

    Great recipe-and super easy!

    Reply

  27. Valerie says

    Another amazing recipe!! Tastes just like bread made in a restaurant. Pairing it with our braised meat in red wine tonight. Thank you!

    Reply

Older Comments

Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does ciabatta have a hard crust? ›

Ciabatta is a white bread loaf, notable for its hard crust and soft, porous interior that resembles a slice of Swiss cheese (here's why Swiss cheese has holes, BTW, if you were wondering). The name comes from the Italian word for slipper, a nod to the overall look and shape of the loaf.

Why is my ciabatta bread not rising in the oven? ›

If you leave your dough rising for too long, the yeast can use up all its energy, and then have nothing to give when the dough goes in the oven. You will know if you have over proofed your dough if it collapses when you touch it, or if it doesn't rise in the oven.

What makes ciabatta different from bread? ›

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. Baguettes also tend to be baked more golden brown.

Can you leave ciabatta dough overnight? ›

Resting it in the fridge overnight ought to be absolutely fine, I've found that in general I get better flavor from a slower rise. I'm not sure that refrigeration is going to help with this folding technique though, it's going to make the dough less sticky yes, but it will also make it less flexible.

How do you make bread crust hard? ›

So heat and steam are a key part of getting that crust of dreams. To help even more, pre-heat a pizza stone in the oven before starting to bake. Place the baking tray or tin directly onto the baking stone. This brings a hot surface into (almost) direct contact with the bread you're baking.

What makes my bread crust so hard? ›

Avoid Using Too Much Flour On Your Dough Surface

Excess flour can cause a thick, tough crust. If you are using rice flour in particular, this can cause a tougher crust to form. Try to minimise the amount of rice flour you use and brush off the excess before baking.

What happens if you don t let bread rise enough before baking? ›

If baked too soon or too late, loaves can collapse and have a dense, gummy center. “There are so many factors that affect rise time, so exact time will vary for every baker.

Why is my ciabatta so dense? ›

Lack of gas and fermentation that makes the dough aerate results in dense and heavy bread. In these cases, it is either necessary to allow the dough to be proof longer or move it to the warmer room.

How do you refresh ciabatta bread in the oven? ›

“Refresh” (re-bake) it

Take a 'stale' loaf of sourdough bread, splash the top with water, and re-bake at 180/200C (fan/conventional) to restore to its just-baked condition. Indicative times are: 5-8 minutes for small loaves like baguette or ciabatta, 12-15 minutes for a 600-900g loaf.

What flour is ciabatta made from? ›

Ciabatta is a high hydration bread made using flour, salt, yeast, water, and sometimes olive oil. Typically it is made using a high protein bread flour and a pre-ferment like a poolish or a biga and requires long, slow rise times to build that airy texture.

What bread is most similar to ciabatta? ›

Ciriola. These small rolls are similar to ciabatta in the sense that they're crusty on the outside and tender on the inside.

What is a fun fact about ciabatta bread? ›

The name derives from its appearance, as ciabatta in Italian means 'slipper', referring to its long, flat shape. Although throughout history there have been many breads that resemble ciabatta, the exact bread variety is actually quite new on the scene in regards to other traditional Italian breads.

Can you overproof ciabatta dough? ›

If you let the first rise go too long, the dough will over-ferment and become a sticky, unsalvageable mess.

Is ciabatta good for you? ›

Yes, it is. If you consume ciabatta in moderation and with the right foods, it can offer various health benefits. Ciabatta contains multiple essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins such as carbohydrates, proteins, iron, sodium, and vitamins B1 and B3.

What are the texture characteristics of ciabatta bread? ›

A ciabatta is an Italian yeast-leavened artisan and hearth-type bread made with a lean formula. It is characterized by having a crisp crust and a large, irregular and open crumb grain (cell structure).

How do you soften ciabatta crust? ›

In the oven: Preheat oven to 200° or Warm setting. Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes. In the microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds.

What are the features of ciabatta bread? ›

Traditional ciabatta is characterized by a slipper shape as well as an extremely porous and chewy texture. Originating from the Lake Como region of northern Italy, ciabatta means “slipper” in Italian. Ciabatta dough is wet and sticky with hydration levels often 80% or higher.

What is the difference between ciabatta and baguette dough? ›

The breads have a different form, and a different dough. The baguette is elongated, the ciabatta is round and flat. The baguette dough contains flour, salt and water; the ciabatta dough contains flour, salt, olive oil and more water than the baguette.

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