🥖 Sourdough Ciabatta Bread

If you love big airy holes, a chewy interior, and a beautifully crisp crust, sourdough ciabatta is hard to beat. This rustic Italian-style bread uses simple ingredients and natural fermentation to create a loaf that's perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or serving alongside soups and pasta. Don't be intimidated by the wetter dough—the reward is worth it.

Ingredients

Dough

✅ 100g active sourdough starter

✅ 400g warm water

✅ 500g bread flour

✅ 10g sea salt

✅ 15g olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the sourdough starter and warm water. Stir until mostly dissolved.

Add the flour, salt, and olive oil.

Mix until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Build Strength

Perform 4 sets of stretch-and-folds every 30 minutes.

The dough will become smoother and more elastic with each fold.

After the final fold, cover and allow the dough to continue fermenting until noticeably puffy and airy.

Step 3: Shape the Ciabatta

Generously flour your work surface.

Gently turn the dough out, being careful not to deflate it.

Dust the top with flour.

Using a bench scraper, divide into 2 rectangular ciabatta loaves.

Avoid excessive handling to preserve the open crumb structure.

Place on parchment paper.

Cover loosely and rest for 45–60 minutes.

Bake

🔥 Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C)

🔥 Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack for steam.

🔥 Transfer ciabatta to the oven.

🔥 Add a cup of hot water to the steam pan.

🔥 Bake for 22–28 minutes until deep golden brown.

🔥 Internal temperature should reach 205–210°F (96–99°C).

Cool

Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing.

This helps preserve the open crumb structure.

Baker's Tip

The wetter the dough, the larger and more open the holes tend to be. Resist the urge to add extra flour.

Baker's Warning

You will cut into the loaf looking for those giant ciabatta holes.

If they're there, you'll immediately text photos to people who didn't ask. 😆

Want Better Sourdough Baking?

🐿️ Start with Squirrelly Girl Sourdough Starter — our beginner-friendly dehydrated starter from a real working micro bakery.

🌎 https://squirrellygirlstarter.com/products/squirrelly-girl-sourdough-starter

One starter. Endless possibilities.