Ciabatta Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my ciabatta bread not rising 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. It is also very important to make sure that your yeast isn't expired - to test this, place a little in some lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar, and check that it bubbles.

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.

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.

Ciabatta dough is wet and sticky with hydration levels often 80% or higher. Both the recipe below and this sourdough version are 82% hydration. (If you are unfamiliar: To calculate hydration percentage, simply divide the weight of the water by the weight of the flour; then multiply it by 100.

Dough may not have been kneaded enough. Kneading 'exercises' the gluten in the bread and gives it the elasticity to hold in the air bubbles produced by the yeast. It is these air bubbles that cause the dough to expand and rise.

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.

TAP THE BOTTOM OF THE BREAD

When you tap the bottom of a loaf of bread that is done baking, the sound will be hollow. If you haven't used this technique before, try taking the bread out of the oven every few minutes toward the end of baking to hear how the sound evolves.

Sourdough bread is healthier than traditional ciabatta bread. Ciabatta bread is a popular type of Italian bread, and therefore, is less nutritious than sourdough bread due to the leavening agent used. However, if you are searching for a healthier ciabatta bread, you can choose one made with sourdough or whole grains.

Ciabatta bread was first produced in 1982, by Arnaldo Cavallari, who called the bread ciabatta polesana after Polesine, the area he lived in. The recipe was subsequently licensed by Cavallari's company, Molini Adriesi, to bakers in 11 countries by 1999.

Serving: Focaccia is incredibly versatile and can be served as an antipasto, appetizer, table bread or snack. In contrast, ciabatta serves as a delicious sandwich bread.

Why is my ciabatta gummy? ›

The gummy line at the bottom of a sandwich bread or pan loaf is fundamentally about gravity — the crumb structure sinks downward. This can be avoided with a quicker heat-set of the structure, different shaping, and fermentation timing.

Breads can fall flat while baking due to a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the dough was not kneaded enough. When dough is not kneaded enough, it can lack the gluten development necessary to rise properly. Another possible reason is that the dough was not given enough time to rise.

Once rested, begin to do a series of folds – lift the dough from the edge, pull up, over, then release it. Turn the bowl 90 degrees and do the same again. Repeat so you do a full turn of the bowl twice, or 8 folds.

Breads can fall flat while baking due to a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the dough was not kneaded enough. When dough is not kneaded enough, it can lack the gluten development necessary to rise properly. Another possible reason is that the dough was not given enough time to rise.

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.

99% of the time this happens, the problem lies with the yeast used. The quality might be compromised, or you might have applied it incorrectly, or under poor cooking conditions. Read on for why your yeast is not working as it should and what you can do to avoid it.

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.