Italian Ciabatta Bread Paul Hollywood Recipe (2024)

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Last Updated on June 10, 2020 by Leyla Kazim

A straightforward Italian ciabatta recipe that’s relatively easy and supremely satisfying to make. It’s by Paul Hollywood from his awesome book ‘How to Bake’. Get that olive oil and balsamic vinegar mix ready for dipping.

Italian Ciabatta Bread Paul Hollywood Recipe (1)

The types of bread I particularly like are the ones you can glance at and instantly recognise what they are from appearance alone. That is a baguette. That is focaccia. Those are chapatis.

Last night’s cookbook perusal was in search for such a recipe, and that could be mixed and proving prior to starting work at 9am in my office for the day, my dining room. Paul Hollywood threw one up I hadn’t tried before and that I certainly wouldn’t turn away for lunch – ciabatta.

A notoriously wet dough precedes this bread. And for once, Paul heavily advises to use an electric mixer because of this. The extra water in the dough turns to steam during the baking process, creating the signature air pockets and open texture. All of this water makes the mix very sloppy. But boy do you get a result at the end.

Italian Ciabatta Bread Paul Hollywood Recipe (2)

Italian ciabatta by Paul Hollywood

A straightforward Italian ciabatta recipe that's relatively easy and supremely satisfying to make. It's by Paul Hollywood from his awesome book 'How to Bake'.

4.81 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Bread

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 2 hours

Bake Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 loaves

Calories: 552kcal

Author: Leyla Kazim

Equipment

  • Square container

  • Baking trays

  • Electric mixer

Ingredients

  • 500 g strong white bread flour plus extra for dusting
  • 10 g fine sea salt
  • 10 g instant yeast
  • 40 ml olive oil
  • 400 ml tepid water
  • Fine semolina for dusting optional

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Lightly oil a 2-3 litre square plastic container. It’s important to use a square tub here to help shape the dough.

  • Tip the flour in the bowl of the mixer and add the salt to one side and the yeast to the other side, so they’re not close. Add the olive oil and ¾ of the water and begin mixing on a slow speed with the dough hook attachment. As the dough starts to come together, slowly add the remaining water. Then mix for a further 5-8 minutes on a medium speed until the dough issmooth and stretchy. See Tip 1 below.

  • Tip out the dough into the prepared tub and spread it so it reaches all sides and corners. Cover with a tea towel or reusable plastic wrap and leave somewhere warm until it has doubled or even trebled in size, 1-2 hours or longer. See Tip 2 below.

  • Once the dough has doubled or tripled in size, pre-heat your oven to 220C. Line two baking trays with baking parchment or silicone paper. If using baking paper, dust with lots of the strong flour.

  • Dust your work surface heavily with more of the flour and add some semolina too, if you have it.

    Carefully tip out the dough (it’s pretty wet) onto the work surface. There is no need for knocking back, handle the dough gently so you keep as much air in it as possible.

    Coat the top of the dough with more flour and/or semolina. Cut the dough in half length ways and divide each of those in half length ways also. You should now have four long pieces of dough.

  • Stretch each piece a bit length ways and place on the prepared baking trays. See Tip 3 below. Leave the dough to rest uncovered for 10 minutes.

  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack. Do try and eat some whilst still warm though. Not difficult.

Notes

  1. After the 8 minutes of mixing, the dough is incredibly stretchy and elastic. Take a moment to have a poke – not many doughs look like this.
  2. I find an oven on its lowest setting (with the light just switched on) creates a nice and warm environment for optimal proving.
  3. It’s a bit tricky transferring these long pieces of dough onto the trays, because they’re so floppy and sticky. I used two long knives and slid them under each end, trying to lift them like that. That worked for the first couple, but not for the last two. I managed to use one knife and my hand in the end, rolling part of one end onto my hand and lifting the other with the knife. Either way, you’ll get them on the trays in the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 4Loaves | Sodium: 978mg | Calcium: 22mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 4g | Potassium: 158mg | Calories: 552kcal | Saturated Fat: 2g | Fat: 11g | Protein: 14g | Carbohydrates: 96g | Iron: 6mg

Have you made or do you plan to make this recipe?Let your online community and me know what you think! Mention @TheCutleryChronicles or tag #TheCutleryChronicles. I love to see them 😊

I’m incredibly pleased with these. I’m pleased with how they’ve turned out – they look exactly as they’re supposed to, with the signature air pockets. They also taste fantastic – a deliciously flavour packed crust with a chewy texture, alongside a light and fragrantly olive middle. I’m also pleased with how they photographed, sliced and ready for my lunch.

In addition to that, this is a bread recipe that only requires a single prove unlike most, resulting in a far shorter time until the end result. This can only be good. Especially when you’re like me and think about your lunch while eating dinner the night before.

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RECIPE | Roasted red pepper and feta cheese soda bread

Italian Ciabatta Bread Paul Hollywood Recipe (3)

Leyla Kazim

Spending most of my time either eating or travelling. Constantly in awe of nature and on a mission to seek the joy in every moment. Please feel free to leave a comment below, I love hearing from you all!

Find me on: Web | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Italian Ciabatta Bread Paul Hollywood Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of flour does Paul Hollywood use? ›

Plain and self-raising flour.

What is the difference between ciabatta and Italian bread? ›

The main difference between these two loaves of bread comes down to the hydration levels. Ciabatta is baked with a much higher hydration level, making the holes within the dough much bigger than a baguette. Ciabatta is also baked with a much stronger flour, which has a more delicate and sweet taste.

Is ciabatta bread better for you than regular bread? ›

Ciabatta bread is relatively high in carbohydrates than other bread forms. However, it has adequate fibre, sugar, protein, and essential vitamins for a healthy diet. As a result, it is an excellent source of energy.

What does baking soda do in bread dough? ›

Baking soda becomes activated when it's combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid. Upon activation, carbon dioxide is produced, which allows baked goods to rise and become light and fluffy (1).

What food does Paul Hollywood dislike? ›

The notoriously critical judge opened up about his disdain for the quintessential American dessert with The New York Post, and let's just say, his mind seems set. "Oh, they're awful," Paul Hollywood said of Hostess Twinkies, which he tried for the first time during a trip to New York last year.

What is Paul Hollywood's most expensive bread? ›

In 2008, Hollywood created an almond and Roquefort sourdough bread that was sold at London's famed department store, Harrods, for £15 per loaf, or about $19 American dollars in 2024 terms.

What is strong white flour in the USA? ›

Strong bread flour is another name for bread flour. The main difference between strong bread flour and other types of flour is its protein content. Strong bread flour is made from “hard” wheat varieties and has more protein, from 12 to 14 percent.

How do Italians eat ciabatta? ›

One of the most common uses for ciabatta bread is for a grilled Italian sandwich known as a panini. It is typically made with layered meats, cheese, and vegetables that are placed between slices of bread and pressed and cooked in a panini grill.

What is special about ciabatta bread? ›

Traditional ciabatta is characterized by a slipper shape as well as an extremely porous and chewy texture. Originating from the Lake Como region of northern Italy, ciabatta means “slipper” in Italian. Ciabatta dough is wet and sticky with hydration levels often 80% or higher.

Why does ciabatta bread taste so good? ›

It is comprised of just flour, yeast, and water. This fermented sponge is what gives the ciabatta its amazing, slightly tangy flavor.

Can diabetics eat ciabatta? ›

Baguettes and ciabattas are a safe choice for just about all sandwiches - they are soft inside and have a sturdy crust that can keep fillings with a high-liquid content such as tomatoes intact without making the sandwich soggy.

Is ciabatta bread good for kidneys? ›

Suitable bread types

White or brown pan loaf, baguettes, pitta bread, ciabatta, chapattis, white or granary bread rolls are all suitable. Your dietitian will decide if you can eat wholemeal bread based on your blood levels. Sourdough bread is not a suitable bread as it is high in phosphate.

What kind of flour is Bluebird flour? ›

All of our flour is 100% whole grain because we believe in keeping the nutrients in! Keep in mind that whole grain flour is much denser than processed flour. You will find that it absorbs moisture and you may have to add a little more moisture than what your recipe calls for.

Is Bob's Red Mill fine pastry flour the same as cake flour? ›

Because our pastry flour has less protein than all purpose flour, it's ideal for many lighter baking purposes. In addition to making pastry, it can be used in place of cake flour in your favorite cake recipes. It's also a wonderful flour for biscuits, scones, cookies, muffins, pound cake and more.

What flour is soda bread made from? ›

Containing just four ingredients — all-purpose wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk — this Irish soda bread recipe is very much in line with what's eaten in Ireland. In addition to this version made with white flour, the Irish do make a whole wheat (aka wholemeal) variety as well.

What kind of flour is King Arthur flour? ›

A regional all-purpose artisan bread flour milled in California characterized by moderate protein and higher-than-average absorption. Ideal for a full selection of artisan breads, pizza, and pastries.

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