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Easy Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls

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  • Author: Lily Carter
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours (including rise times)
  • Yield: 6-10 rolls 1x
  • Category: Bread, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the 3/4 cup of warm water, olive oil, and honey (or sugar). Stir until the honey is dissolved.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon until the dough begins to come together.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles.
  2. Divide the dough into 6-8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a rough rectangle or oval shape.
  3. Place the shaped rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave space between each roll.
  4. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. 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.
  3. 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