If you’re a bread enthusiast looking to elevate your baking game, this Artisan Ciabatta Rolls recipe is perfect for you. These crispy, crusty, and golden brown rolls are not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to make with a few professional tips and tricks.
My whole family loves the taste of fresh bread. It’s a great recipe to make when you are hosting a casual gathering. I get so many rave reviews when I serve these. Two of our favorite ways to serve is to make meatball sandwiches or even French dip sandwiches using these rolls. It’s so easy to do. Let’s dive into the homemade bread recipe and create bakery-quality ciabatta rolls at home.
Why You’ll Love This Ciabatta Roll Recipe
Tried-and-true recipe: This ciabatta recipe is a favorite among home bakers. Try it once, and you’ll keep coming back to it.
So light and fluffy: These ciabatta rolls use a tender dough with high water content. As you fold them, they create natural air bubbles. This creates little pockets perfect for flavored butter or a drizzle of honey. They’re soft, fluffy, and fun to eat.
Uses basic ingredients: You only need a few simple ingredients – flour, yeast, olive oil, water, and salt. If you’re a seasoned baker, you likely already have everything on hand. We love pantry staple recipes!
Easy to make: Despite the delicate dough, this recipe comes together quickly without fancy tools or equipment. Handle the ciabatta dough with care, and you’ll have perfect ciabatta rolls in no time.
Artisan Ciabatta Rolls: Baking Bread Like a Pro
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Bread Flour
- 1 1/2 Cups Water Room Temperature
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 2 Teaspoon Instant Yeast
- 2 Teaspoon Salt
- Extra bread flour for dusting
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and salt.4 Cups Bread Flour, 2 Teaspoon Instant Yeast, 2 Teaspoon Salt
- Add the olive oil and room temperature water to the dry ingredients.1 1/2 Cups Water, 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- Mix with a wooden spoon until a wet dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and knead on medium speed for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead by hand on a floured surface.Extra bread flour for dusting
First Rise
- Place the dough ball in a lightly oiled large bowl, turning the dough to coat all sides with oil.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for about 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Coil Folds and Second Rise
- After the first rise, perform coil folds to strengthen the dough. With wet hands, gently lift the dough from the side and fold it over the top of the dough, repeating this action from all four sides.
- Let the dough rest for 30 minutes, then repeat the coil folds two more times, allowing 30 minutes of rest between each fold.
Shaping the Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a sheet pan on the bottom of the oven.
- Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and gently shape it into a rectangle without deflating it too much.
- Using a bench scraper, cut the dough into 8-10 equal pieces and shape each piece into a rough oval or round roll.
- Transfer the rolls onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Cover them with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Baking the Rolls
- Just before baking, place a few ice cubes on the sheet pan at the bottom of the oven to create steam, which helps achieve a crisp crust.
- Bake the ciabatta rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Allow the rolls to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
Tips for Baking Like a Pro
- Room Temperature: Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for optimal yeast activity.
- Bench Scraper: Use a bench scraper to handle the wet dough, making it easier to shape and transfer. Ciabatta dough is very sticky with 80% high hydration (flour to water ratio). I find a bench scraper is a must to help me handle and transfer the dough.
- Bread Flour: Using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour gives the ciabatta its signature chewiness.
- Wet Hands: Keeping your hands wet while performing coil folds helps prevent sticking.
- Olive Oil: I like to have a light coating of olive oil on your hands to prevent sticking when handling the dough.
- Floured Surface: Generously flour your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking during shaping.
- Ice Cubes: Adding ice cubes to the bottom of the oven creates steam, which contributes to a crispy crust.
Best Way to Store Ciabatta Rolls
To keep your ciabatta rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to two days.
How to Freeze Bread Rolls
If you need to store them longer, you can freeze them. Here’s how. Cool the rolls completely on a wire rack. I like to wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap. That way I can thaw just what I need. Then I put them in a freeze-safe bag or other airtight container.
You can either let them thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven. Warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This will help restore their crusty exterior and soft interior.
Serving and Usage Ideas for Artisan Ciabatta Rolls
Homemade ciabatta rolls are versatile and can complement various meals or be enjoyed on their own. Here are some ideas to make the most of your delicious homemade bread.
Sandwiches and Paninis
- Italian Sandwich: Layer prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an authentic Italian flavor.
- Chicken Panini: Grill chicken breast slices, add arugula, roasted red peppers, and a smear of pesto. Press in a panini maker for a toasty finish.
Breakfast Delight
- Breakfast Sandwich: Fill the rolls with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a slice of cheddar cheese.
- Avocado Toast: Spread mashed avocado, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red chili flakes, and top with a poached egg.
Sides and Appetizers
- Soup Sidekick: Serve alongside a bowl of tomato basil soup, creamy potato leek soup, or hearty beef stew.
- Bruschetta: Toast the rolls, rub with a garlic clove, and top with diced tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
Salad Accompaniment
- Caesar Salad: Pair with a classic Caesar salad for a balanced meal.
- Caprese Salad: Serve with a fresh Caprese salad made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Snack or Light Meal
- Garlic Bread: Turn the rolls into garlic bread by spreading a mixture of butter, garlic, and parsley on them, then broil until golden brown.
- Dipping Delight: Serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, or with a variety of spreads like hummus, tapenade, or herbed cream cheese.
Dessert Twist
- Sweet Rolls: Spread with butter and honey or fruit preserves for a simple yet delicious dessert.
- Cinnamon Roll: Slice the rolls, spread with a mix of butter, cinnamon, and sugar, and bake for a quick cinnamon roll alternative.
Picnic Essential
- Picnic Basket: Pack the rolls with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and a bottle of wine for a perfect picnic outing.
Holiday Feast
- Holiday Dinner: Serve as a side with roasted meats, stuffing, and seasonal vegetables for festive gatherings.
- Thanksgiving Leftovers: Make mini sandwiches with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing.
These serving and usage ideas will help you enjoy your artisan ciabatta rolls in a variety of delicious ways, making them a staple in your kitchen.
With these tips and the step-by-step recipe, you’ll be baking this artisan ciabatta bread recipe like a pro in no time.
My family loved this!