Ciabatta Rolls
Ciabatta rolls are a type of Italian bread known for their rustic appearance and chewy texture. They are made from a high-hydration dough that gives them a light, airy interior with large open crumb holes. The crust is crisp and slightly chewy.
Ciabatta Rolls are extremely versatile. Use them for…
- Sandwiches and Paninis: Slice the ciabatta rolls in half and fill with your favorite ingredients—turkey, ham, cheese, veggies, or spreads. They make excellent sandwiches and paninis due to their sturdy texture.
- Bruschetta: Slice the rolls and toast them lightly. Top with diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt for a tasty bruschetta appetizer.
- Garlic Bread: Cut the rolls in half, spread with garlic butter, and toast until golden. Perfect as a side for pasta dishes.
- Soup Accompaniment: Serve slices of ciabatta alongside soups or stews for dipping.
- Croutons: Cube the bread, toss with olive oil and herbs, and bake until crispy for homemade croutons.
- Breakfast Rolls: Toast and fill with scrambled eggs, bacon, or smoked salmon for a hearty breakfast.
Ciabatta Rolls
Ciabatta rolls are a type of Italian bread known for their rustic appearance and chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 17 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 17 hours 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Starter
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup cool water
1/16 teaspoon instant yeast
Dough
All of the starter
2 teaspoons instant yeast
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
2/3 cup lukewarm water
3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
Starter
- Measure the flour it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess with the flat edge of a table knife.
- Mix the starter ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Cover the starter and let it rest at room temperature overnight, or for up to 15 hours. It will become bubbly.
Dough
- Place all of the dough ingredients, including the starter, into the bowl of your mixer, and beat at medium speed, using the flat beater, for 7 minutes. The dough will be very smooth, soft, shiny, and elastic. Alternatively, knead the dough ingredients in your bread machine using the dough cycle.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl or other rising container, cover it, and let it rise for 2 hours. Give the dough a fold: Turn it out onto a floured surface and, using a bowl scraper or bench knife, fold it like a business letter. Turn the dough 90 degrees (a quarter turn). Gently flatten it a bit, and repeat the letter fold. Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and let it rise for another hour. Note: If you’re using a bread machine, allow it to rise for an additional hour after the dough cycle has ended; there’s no need to take it out and fold it.
- Lightly grease the work surface, and two half-sheet baking pans (18 x 13 inches) or similar large baking sheets. Grease your hands as well.
- Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly greased work surface.
- Pat the dough into an 8 x 10-inch rectangle and cut it into 12 squares (about 2 1/2 inches each).
- Transfer the rolls to the baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between them.
- Lightly cover the rolls with heavily oiled plastic wrap, and allow them to rise for 2 to 3 hours, or until they show some signs of puffiness. Towards the end of the rising time, heat the oven to 425 degree F.
- Spritz the risen rolls with lukewarm water, and gently but firmly dimple each one with your fingers, making fairly deep pockets.
- Immediately place the rolls into the oven. Bake them until they’re golden brown, about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and cool on a rack.
- Slice crosswise. Store tightly wrapped, at room temperature.
- Rolls may be reheated just before serving, if desired; tent lightly with foil, and heat for about 8 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Notes
Photo credit: ID 24689704 © Msphotographic | Dreamstime.com
Simply Great Recipes participates in affiliate advertising
programs. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you
make purchases through links on our site.
