Master Jamie Oliver’s Ciabatta Bread Recipe at Home

Ciabatta bread whispers tales of rustic Italian kitchens, where simple ingredients become extraordinary culinary poetry.

This beloved loaf emerges from a delicate dance of flour, water, yeast, and salt, transforming into a heavenly creation.

Skilled bakers understand the magical alchemy that turns basic components into a breathtaking bread experience.

Each slice reveals a landscape of airy pockets and golden crust, telling a story of patience and craft.

The irregular, bubbly texture speaks of tradition and expertise, inviting bread lovers into its delicious world.

Home cooks can unlock this artisan secret with careful technique and passion.

You’ll fall in love with the art of creating this stunning, soul-warming bread that connects generations of culinary passion.

How to Make Ciabatta Bread Step-by-Step

• Awaken the Yeast

Mix warm water with yeast in a spacious bowl. Let it sit quietly until tiny bubbles dance across the surface, signaling the yeast is coming to life.

• Craft the Dough

Blend flour and salt into the frothy yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, soft mass emerges, promising delicious potential.

• First Rise Adventure

Drape a clean towel over the bowl and find a cozy, warm spot for the dough. Allow it to expand and grow for 1.5 to 2 hours, transforming into a puffy cloud of potential bread.

• Shape and Prepare

Dust a clean surface with flour. Gently transfer the risen dough, using fingertips to stretch and mold it into a relaxed rectangle. Handle with care to keep all the beautiful air bubbles intact.

• Final Rise and Bake

Place the shaped dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it rest and puff up for 30 to 45 minutes. Slide into a 425°F oven and bake until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

• Finish and Enjoy

Rescue the bread from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Give it a full hour to settle and cool completely. Listen for the hollow sound when tapped, a sign of perfect bread. Slice and savor the crispy exterior and soft, airy interior of your homemade ciabatta.

Variations for Ciabatta Bread Recipe

• Flour Power Techniques: Dust hands and work surfaces with extra flour to prevent sticky dough drama and ensure smooth handling.
• Moisture Magic: Keep a small spray bottle of water nearby to mist the dough during rising, creating a humid environment that helps develop incredible texture and rise.
• Resting Rhythm: Never rush the fermentation process – longer, slower rises develop deeper flavors and create those signature airy pockets in authentic ciabatta bread.
• Crust Control: For an extra crispy exterior, place a shallow pan of hot water on the bottom oven rack while baking, which generates steam and produces a perfectly crackling crust.

Serving Tips for Ciabatta Bread

• Savor Sandwich Creation: Layer homemade ciabatta with premium deli meats like prosciutto, capicola, or roasted turkey for a gourmet lunch experience.
• Create Rustic Appetizer Platter: Cut ciabatta into bite-sized pieces and serve with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and assorted Italian cheeses for an elegant starter.
• Design Breakfast Bruschetta: Toast thin slices and top with scrambled eggs, fresh herbs, and crumbled goat cheese for a delightful morning meal.
• Transform into Panini: Slice horizontally, stuff with grilled vegetables, mozzarella, and pesto, then press in a panini maker for a crispy, melty delight.

Storing Jamie Oliver’s Ciabatta Bread

• Preserve Freshness: Store ciabatta in a paper bag at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain its crispy crust and soft interior. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and make the bread soggy.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap cooled ciabatta tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours before serving to retain its original texture.
• Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle water lightly on day-old ciabatta and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This quick trick restores moisture and brings back the bread's original softness and warmth.
• Slice Smart for Versatility: Cut ciabatta horizontally for sandwiches or vertically for bruschetta. Store sliced portions in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 4

Jamie Oliver’s Ciabatta Bread Ingredients

• Active Dry Yeast: Select fresh, unexpired yeast for robust rising power and vibrant flavor development.
• Warm Water: Use filtered water at precise tepid temperature to ensure perfect yeast activation.

• Bread Flour, All-Purpose Flour: Choose high-protein flour for superior gluten structure and chewy texture.
• Salt: Opt for fine sea salt to enhance bread's overall flavor profile and strengthen gluten networks.

• Parchment Paper: Select non-stick, high-quality parchment for smooth bread release and even heat distribution.

Equipment for Jamie Oliver’s Ciabatta Bread

• Mixing bowl: Large, spacious vessel for combining ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and blending dough mixture.
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Covers dough during rising process.
• Baking sheet: Flat surface for shaping and baking bread.
• Parchment paper: Prevents dough from sticking and aids easy transfer.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows air circulation for cooling bread evenly.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure flour and water.
• Oven: Essential for baking ciabatta to golden perfection.
• Thermometer: Optional, helps check water and oven temperatures precisely.

Rustic Jamie Oliver Ciabatta Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s ciabatta bread emerges as a rustic Italian classic that brings Mediterranean warmth to home kitchens. Crusty exterior and pillowy interior highlight this simple yet sophisticated loaf that connects bakers with authentic culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml/32 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480 ml/16 oz) warm water
• 1 tsp (5 ml) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp (5 ml) salt

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Dissolve yeast in warm water (105-115°F) within a large mixing bowl. Let the mixture rest until it becomes foamy and alive with bubbling activity.
2. Dough Formation: Blend all-purpose flour and kosher salt into the activated yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon, ensuring complete ingredient integration and no dry spots remain.
3. First Fermentation: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, undisturbed location. Allow the dough to rise and expand for 1.5 to 2 hours until it nearly doubles in volume, developing complex flavor and airy texture.
4. Dough Shaping: Generously flour a work surface and gently transfer the risen dough. Carefully stretch and fold into a loose rectangular shape, preserving the delicate air pockets that provide characteristic ciabatta texture.
5. Second Proofing: Transfer the shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it rest and rise for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, allowing final expansion and relaxation of the dough’s structure.
6. Baking Preparation: Preheat the oven to 425°F, positioning the rack in the center. Ensure the oven reaches full temperature before baking to create optimal cooking conditions.
7. Baking Process: Slide the baking sheet into the heated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Monitor the bread’s surface, looking for a rich golden-brown color that indicates perfect doneness and caramelization.
8. Cooling and Serving: Remove the ciabatta from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Allow the bread to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling internal moisture to redistribute and creating the ideal serving texture.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure water temperature falls precisely between 105-115°F for optimal yeast performance, as incorrect temperature can kill or under-activate the yeast.
• Minimal Handling Technique: Treat dough gently during shaping to preserve air bubbles, which create ciabatta’s signature light, airy texture and irregular crumb structure.
• Proofing Environment: Select a consistently warm, draft-free location during rising stages to support proper dough development and prevent uneven fermentation.
• Cooling Protocol: Allow bread to rest completely for 30 minutes after baking, enabling internal moisture redistribution and preventing premature crumbling when sliced.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg