🥖 The Best Homemade Ciabatta Bread Recipe – Rustic, Airy & Perfectly Crusty

Stir flour + salt in one bowl.

In another bowl, stir yeast into warm water (not hot—just bath temp). 💡 Tip: Let the yeast bloom 3–5 minutes if you’re unsure it’s fresh.

Combine the wet into the dry to make a sticky, shaggy dough.

Transfer to floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until springy and smooth. 💡 No mixer needed—this dough is forgiving and works by hand.

Place in a lightly oiled bowl.

Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place (doubled in size).

Punch down gently, divide dough in half, and shape into rough ovals.

Place on parchment-lined tray and cover for 30–45 minutes. 💡 Tip: The dough is soft—don’t over-handle or you’ll deflate it.

Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle sea salt before baking.

Bake 20–25 minutes at 425°F until golden, crisp, and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Cool before slicing—this helps set the crumb.