Italian Ciabatta Recipes

Italian ciabatta is a rustic bread with a broad and elongated flat shape. Homemade ciabatta can be in small squares, rolls or long rectangles. Regardless of the shape, you will love the crispy, chewy crust and the hole-filled interior for dunking into soups or sauce.

Traditional Italian ciabatta bread recipes are made with an overnight starter called Biga. This Italian starter is similar to sourdough but thicker and is made from flour, water and yeast. You should leave it overnight to allow the initial fermentation, which gives ciabatta bread a unique and wonderful flavour.

How to make ciabatta bread rolls

The steps for making artisan ciabatta rolls at home include the following:

Prepare the starter: To make the starter, measure your yeast and flour and then mix them together in water. Cover the bowl and set it aside at room temperature for 3 to 15 hours. The mixture will be bubbly when it's ready to be made into dough.

The versatility of Italian ciabatta recipes adds unique flavours to the bread and makes it easy to pair with other dishes. For instance, adding herbs like chives, chopped basil or parsley to the dough adds extra flavour, making the bread rolls perfect for sauce or soup. Some ways to enjoy delicious ciabatta bread include:

Serve with a simple spread: If you want to serve ciabatta bread as an appetiser, a simple spread can elevate its taste. Slice the ciabatta rolls into thick slices and serve them with a bowl of balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. For an added kick, flavour the olive oil with chilli flakes, garlic and basil. Alternatively, spread butter or strawberry jam to enjoy it for breakfast.

Make sandwich bread: Want a simple sandwich to share with your friends? Use ciabatta bread to make your favourite sandwiches. Fill sliced ciabatta rolls with pesto, red peppers, artichokes and prosciutto.

A common use for Italian ciabatta bread is as a grilled sandwich or panini. If you're a meat lover, a panini is a must-try. This Italian sandwich is layered with cheese, vegetables and meats. After layering the ingredients between the bread slices, you cook them in a panini grill. Ciabatta works well in panini recipes without becoming soggy.