If you’ve ever been intimidated by the idea of baking bread, these Easy Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls are about to change that! They’re simple, delicious, and the best part? You don’t need a giant batch to enjoy fresh, warm bread. These rolls have that perfect balance of a crispy, golden crust and a soft, airy interior that will make you feel like a pro baker in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
There’s something so satisfying about making bread at home, but sometimes you don’t want to bake a whole loaf. These small batch ciabatta rolls give you all the joy of homemade bread without any of the waste. They’re quick, easy, and you don’t even need any special equipment. Whether you’re looking to enjoy them with dinner, use them for sandwiches, or just snack on them with butter, you’ll love how fresh and flavorful they are.
Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need (full list below):
- All-purpose flour
- Instant yeast
- Warm water
- Olive oil
- Salt
- A pinch of sugar
Directions
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Add the warm water and olive oil, stirring until the mixture forms a dough. The dough will be slightly sticky, which is exactly what you want to create that airy texture.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a tiny bit more flour, but be careful not to add too much. You want the dough to remain soft and slightly tacky.
Step 3: First Rise
Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until it has doubled in size. The yeast will do its magic here, giving your rolls that great texture.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide it into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a rough rectangle—don’t worry about perfection here, the rustic look is part of the charm!
Step 5: Second Rise
Place the shaped rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
Step 6: Bake
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Once the rolls have risen, place them in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden and the rolls sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. The crispy, golden crust is what gives these rolls their signature ciabatta style!
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool on a wire rack for about 5-10 minutes before serving. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll keep for a day or two if stored in an airtight container.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you want a super crispy crust, place a small dish of water in the oven while the rolls bake. The steam helps create that signature crust.
- Be sure to allow the dough to rise in a warm environment. If your kitchen is cold, try placing the bowl in an oven with the light on to encourage rising.
- Don’t overwork the dough—handle it gently to keep the air bubbles intact. These are key to the light texture!
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- If you want a richer flavor, you can replace the olive oil with melted butter.
- For a whole wheat version, replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but be aware it may affect the texture.
- Add herbs like rosemary, garlic, or thyme into the dough for an aromatic twist!
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These ciabatta rolls are perfect on their own with a bit of butter, but they also make a fantastic accompaniment to soups, salads, and pasta dishes. You can even use them for sandwiches—fill them with anything from deli meats and cheese to roasted veggies and hummus. The soft interior and crispy crust are perfect for soaking up sauces, too.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them! To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness.
4 FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time! After the first rise, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. Just allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and baking the rolls.
2. Can I freeze the rolls?
Definitely! Once baked and cooled, you can freeze the rolls for up to 3 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store them in a freezer bag. To reheat, bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast. Just activate it in warm water for about 5 minutes before mixing it into the dry ingredients.
4. Why is the dough so sticky?
The stickiness is normal! Ciabatta dough is meant to be sticky because it helps create that open, airy texture. Just be careful not to add too much flour while kneading.
Conclusion
Making homemade bread doesn’t have to be complicated, and these Easy Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls prove it! With minimal ingredients and just a little bit of time, you can enjoy fresh, warm ciabatta rolls straight from the oven. Whether you’re serving them with dinner or using them for a sandwich, these rolls will make you feel like a true bread-making pro.
Print
Easy Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (not including rising time)
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 4 Ciabatta Rolls 1x
- Category: Bread, Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls are simple, delicious, and perfect for those who want the joy of homemade bread without baking a whole loaf. With a crispy, golden crust and soft, airy interior, these rolls are perfect for sandwiches, snacks, or as an accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
For the Rolls:
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Instant yeast
- 3/4 cup Warm water
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
For the Optional Steam (for a crispy crust):
- 1 small dish of water
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Add the warm water and olive oil, and stir until the mixture forms a dough. The dough will be slightly sticky.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour, but don’t overdo it. The dough should remain soft and slightly tacky.
Step 3: First Rise
Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
Once risen, punch the dough down gently. Turn it onto a floured surface and divide it into four equal portions. Shape each into a rough rectangle.
Step 5: Second Rise
Place the shaped rolls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 6: Bake
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Once the rolls have risen, place them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and the rolls sound hollow when tapped.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy while warm!
Notes
- To achieve a crispier crust, place a small dish of water in the oven while baking.
- Handle the dough gently to keep the air bubbles intact for a light, airy texture.
- If you want a richer flavor, replace olive oil with melted butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg