Easy Ciabatta Bread

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4.7 from 115 reviews

By:Pamela Reed

Posted:6/12/18

Updated:6/13/23

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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)

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4.65 from 115 reviews

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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Kristen says
June 10, 2023 at 10:38 am

Are you supposed to use the leavened(30min) or unleavened dough cycle 90mins)?
Reply
- Kristen says
  June 10, 2023 at 10:58 am
  
  I got that backwards, unleavened -30, leavened-90
  Reply
- Patrick M says
  January 7, 2024 at 10:35 am
  
  The answer is in your question. Leavened bread is bread with yeast
  Reply
Arthur Marshall says
March 10, 2023 at 6:05 am

Can I have the ingredient measurements in Gramms please?
Reply
- Pamela says
  March 10, 2023 at 1:39 pm
  
  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
Jason says
February 20, 2023 at 6:55 pm

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
Sue Smyth says
December 29, 2022 at 2:33 am

I now make this bread 3 times a week. Love it.
Reply
EdgedInBue says
December 27, 2022 at 5:32 am

I did not get the holey crumb and my yeast is on target.
Reply
J. says
December 8, 2022 at 8:39 pm

Turned out perfect, thanks!
Reply
Kristen says
October 16, 2022 at 2:09 pm

Is the dough supposed to be crazy sticky?
Reply
Lynda says
October 12, 2022 at 12:50 pm

I found this recipe. I tried it. I loved it. Something that doesn’t have to wait 12 hours before baking.
Reply
Tonie T. says
See Also
How to make Mantecadas Recipe - Mexican Muffins
May 8, 2022 at 3:44 pm

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
  February 2, 2023 at 4:35 pm
  
  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
Jam says
April 17, 2022 at 2:23 am

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
  April 24, 2022 at 8:43 am
  
  Hey Jam, absolutely – you don’t need anything fancy, just flick some water with your hands. 🙂 Enjoy the bread!
  Reply
Pablo S says
March 1, 2022 at 5:17 pm

Very easy to make. Came out crusty and delicious
Reply
Jamey Jeffries says
January 29, 2022 at 3:16 pm

making the bread for supper having soup
Reply
Eva says
December 27, 2021 at 4:18 am

can i make this without bread machine? using stand mixer for kneading? How long to proof?
Reply
Mary says
November 25, 2021 at 3:13 pm

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
  January 18, 2022 at 2:37 pm
  
  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
ANNE DALEY says
May 17, 2021 at 3:58 pm

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
Colleen says
May 8, 2021 at 1:40 pm

Can you make this without a bread machine??
Reply
Lynda says
April 25, 2021 at 3:08 pm

Have you ever made ciabatta buns using this recipe?
Reply
Chuck says
April 17, 2021 at 2:39 am

What a great recipe. Made it yesterday and also ate it yesterday.
So easy to make and eat.
Reply
- Pamela says
  April 17, 2021 at 12:24 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by Chuck, happy to hear you liked the recipe!
  Reply
Tami Casey says
March 19, 2021 at 4:42 pm

Receive is right on. I left out the rosemary as I made rolls for hamburgers.
Reply
Gina says
February 10, 2021 at 1:28 pm

New at using bread machine. For this recipe should I set it at 2 or 1 1/2 pound loaf? T
Reply
- Diana says
  September 11, 2021 at 2:28 pm
  
  You are using machine on “dough” cycle so does not apply
  Reply
  - Doe* says
    January 2, 2023 at 1:51 am
    
    What if I want it to cook in the bread machine. I don’t have an oven.
    Reply
wayne says
February 9, 2021 at 6:57 pm

Tried this , worked out well . Will make it again, very good!!
Reply
Raik Liind says
February 9, 2021 at 11:57 am

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
  February 9, 2021 at 12:14 pm
  
  Hi Raik, make sure you’re trying it with bread flour for best results! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
  Reply
Sarah says
February 1, 2021 at 1:35 pm

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
  February 2, 2021 at 10:37 am
  
  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
Gerald Kallan says
February 1, 2021 at 12:49 pm

(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
barbara says
January 26, 2021 at 7:34 pm

best bread machine recipe for crusty bread that I’ve found!
Reply
Sara says
January 24, 2021 at 7:52 pm

Great recipe-and super easy!
Reply
Valerie says
January 23, 2021 at 3:45 pm

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

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Easy Ciabatta Bread - Homemade Crusty Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is ciabatta crust hard? ›

About This Ciabatta Recipe

But don't worry, it's still a quick ciabatta bread recipe. One of the complaints I hear most often about store bought ciabatta bread is that the crust is too thick and hard. It can be hard on the gums and tough to bite into, especially with lots of sandwich fillings in it.

Discover More ›

What makes ciabatta bread different? ›

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.

Find Out More ›

How wet should ciabatta dough be? ›

Our ciabatta recipe has a hydration level of 80% (the weight of the water compared to the weight of the flour). These hand-kneading techniques work quite well in the 67% to 80% range — as long as you don't mind getting a little messy.

Get More Info Here ›

What is considered a crusty bread? ›

Crusty breads are usually the simplest ones: flour, water, yeast, and salt, with no eggs, butter, sour cream, sugar, mashed potatoes, or anything else that might turn them into softies.

Tell Me More ›

What makes homemade bread crust hard? ›

Baking quick breads at too high temperatures can cause a hard outside crust. Most quick breads bake in a moderate oven (350°F to 375°F). Double check your recipe to see the temperature they recommend. Oven thermostats can vary over time, requiring adjustments by the baker or calibration by a professional.

Why is my ciabatta gummy? ›

Try less water with your flour. Uneven heat in your oven can be the culprit – if you loaf is nicely golden on the outside but gummy or moist in the inside, it's baking too quickly on the outside. Trying reducing the temperature you're baking at and bake for a bit longer.

See Details ›

Why do you spray water on bread dough? ›

Wetting the dough causes the surface to steam. Covering it traps the moisture. This partnership stops the bread from drying out on the surface in the hot air of the oven and forming a premature crust. Your bread rises more and produces a richer colour, becoming glossy on the surface.

How to make my homemade bread crusty? ›

Before you start baking the bread, make sure that your oven and the form/stone on which you'll bake the bread are well heated. Bake the bread at high temperature, around 260/270°C, for the first 15 minutes of the baking process so that the crust and its beautiful golden color start developing quickly on the surface.

Learn More Now ›

How do you make bread more crusty? ›

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. This helps increase the final rise and also makes sure of a good, all-over crust.

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How do you make soft crusty bread? ›

If you want to make stale bread soft again, wrap the bread in foil. If the crust of the bread is very hard, sprinkle a little water on the outside before you close the foil. Place the bread in a 300°F oven for 5-15 minutes or until the bread feels soft. If you added water, heat the bread until it no longer feels soggy.

Is A ciabatta bread hard or soft? ›

Italian ciabatta is a beloved bread that is renowned for its unique flavor and texture. It is a slipper-shaped bread with a crispy crust and a soft, airy crumb. Although it has become a staple in bakeries and restaurants around the world, few people know about its fascinating history.

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How do you soften ciabatta crust? ›

Take a towel and make it damp, wrap the bread in the damp towel, and place the bread on a baking sheet. Bake the bread at 350 degrees for five minutes or until the bread is soft.

Read On ›

Why is ciabatta so hard? ›

Ciabatta is high in hydration, which means it contains high amount of water. This makes handling the ciabatta dough little tough. To make making ciabatta bread easy, you can use a strong bread flour, which has high gluten levels and absorbs good amount of water.

Get More Info ›

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).