Garlic Ciabatta
Prep
20 mins
Cook
35 mins
Servings
8
Difficulty
Medium
Crispy on the outside with a soft, airy crumb inside, this aromatic garlic ciabatta is infused with roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and olive oil for an irresistible Italian-style bread.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 500 gstrong bread flour
- 350 mlwarm water
- 10 gsalt
- 7 ginstant yeast
- 60 mlextra virgin olive oil(divided)
- 8garlic cloves(minced)
- 15 gfresh rosemary(chopped)
- 10 gfresh thyme(chopped)
- 5 gsea salt flakes(for topping)
- 2 gblack pepper(freshly ground)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Mix warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy, then add bread flour and salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Tip: Don't skip the foaming step—it ensures your yeast is active.
- 2
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes by hand or use a stand mixer until smooth and elastic. Gradually incorporate 30ml of olive oil while kneading.
Tip: The dough will be slightly sticky, which is normal for ciabatta—resist adding extra flour.
- 3
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise at room temperature for 90 minutes until roughly doubled in size.
Tip: Ciabatta benefits from a long, slow rise for better flavour development.
- 4
Heat the remaining 30ml olive oil in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook gently for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Stir in rosemary and thyme, then remove from heat.
Tip: Infusing the oil with herbs early ensures maximum flavour distribution.
- 5
Turn dough onto a lightly oiled surface and gently stretch into a rectangular shape about 25cm x 35cm. Drizzle the garlic herb oil over the dough and fold gently to distribute, being careful not to deflate.
Tip: Handle the dough gently—over-working it will lose the characteristic airy crumb.
- 6
Place dough on a parchment-lined baking tray, reshape slightly if needed, and let rise for 45 minutes covered. Preheat oven to 220°C.
Tip: The second rise should be noticeably puffy but not completely doubled.
- 7
Using wet fingers, dimple the surface of the dough all over, creating the classic ciabatta texture. Sprinkle generously with sea salt flakes and black pepper.
Tip: The dimpling helps create pockets of air and prevents large bubbles from forming during baking.
- 8
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Tip: Resist cutting into the loaf while hot—the interior is still setting and will be easier to slice when cooled slightly.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like
Chinese Egg Salad
Here's a recipe I've been making all summer that my friends absolutely love. This Chinese egg salad comes together in under an hour and costs practically nothing to make with ingredients you likely already have on hand. The beauty of this dish is how refreshing and light it feels, especially on warm days. Eggs are packed with choline, which supports brain health, and when you combine them with all these crisp vegetables and that tangy sesame oil dressing, you get something that's both satisfying and incredibly good for you. It's perfect for meal prep, lunch boxes, or even a quick dinner when you don't feel like cooking anything complicated.
Chinese Black Bean Salad
This Chinese black bean salad is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in under an hour and tastes absolutely delicious. Black beans are packed with fiber and protein, making them incredibly filling and nutritious, so you get a satisfying meal without breaking the bank. The beauty of this recipe is how simple it really is, just fresh vegetables tossed with a punchy ginger garlic dressing that brings everything to life. I love serving it cold or at room temperature, which means you can prep it ahead and grab it whenever you need a quick, wholesome lunch or side dish.
Chinese Quinoa Salad
This Chinese Quinoa Salad has become my go to weeknight dinner because it comes together in under an hour and tastes absolutely restaurant quality. The best part? Quinoa is packed with complete protein, so you're getting all nine essential amino acids in every bite, making this a genuinely satisfying meal that keeps you full. I love how simple it is to assemble once the quinoa cooks, and you can prep all the vegetables while it simmers away. The sesame oil and ginger dressing gives it such an authentic flavor that your friends will be amazed you made it at home, but honestly, it's easier than ordering takeout.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.