Ciabatta

Delicious ciabatta bread is Italy's response to the baguette. Made with simple ingredients, the baking technique is what makes it so flavorful.

Prep Time 8 30

4 cups white flour Use bread flour if you have it. This recipe was made with plain white flour
1½ cups water
20 grams instant yeast
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Combine 2 cups of the flour, 3/4 cups of the water, and the yeast. Beat for 5 minutes with a flat beater, then cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 4 hours.
Add the remaining 2 cups of flour, another 3/4 cups of water, salt, and the olive oil. Beat for another 5 minutes with flat beater. It should be a soft, slightly wet dough. Cover again with plastic wrap. Let rest 2 hours.
Divide dough in half and use hands dipped in flour to shape into two 8-inch loaves. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rise an hour.
Divide each loaf in two (4 loaves total), and stretch back into 8-inch loaves. Dust with flour. Let rest 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400° F. Bake loaves for 25-30 minutes. It will be slightly golden brown.
Cool on wire rack.