Description
These Easy Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls are soft, airy, and perfect for sandwiches or as a side with any meal. With a crisp, golden-brown crust and a light, open crumb, these rolls bring the classic taste of ciabatta into a manageable small batch. The dough is easy to work with, and they can be made with basic pantry ingredients. Fresh, homemade rolls in less than a few hours—what’s better than that?
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Ciabatta Rolls:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey (or sugar)
- 1/2 cup warm water (additional, if needed, for adjusting dough consistency)
For the Topping (Optional):
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
- Cornmeal or flour (for dusting)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the 3/4 cup of warm water, olive oil, and honey (or sugar). Stir until the honey is dissolved.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. The dough will be sticky, so you can wet your hands or use a bit of extra flour to help knead it.
- If the dough is too dry, add the additional 1/2 cup warm water a little at a time until the dough reaches the right consistency.
First Rise:
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape the Rolls:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles.
- Divide the dough into 6-8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a rough rectangle or oval shape.
- Place the shaped rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave space between each roll.
- If desired, brush the tops of the rolls with olive oil for a shiny, golden finish, and sprinkle lightly with cornmeal or flour.
Second Rise:
- Cover the rolls with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until puffed up and slightly expanded.
Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Once the rolls have risen, place them in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Let the rolls cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs like rosemary to the dough.
- Storage: Store the rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature, or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to revive their crispy crust.
- Make ahead: You can also refrigerate the dough for an overnight rise, allowing it to develop more flavor. Shape and bake as directed the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: ~150mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg