How to make crispy crust, fluffy inside Ciabatta bread using an air fryer

How to Make Ciabatta Bread

• 1

  Mixing the ciabatta bread dough

  Put 96ml of warm water (40 degrees Celsius) and 2gr of instant yeast into a bowl, then stir well. Soak the yeast for 5 – 10 minutes until it expands into a blob like crab meat.

  Next, add the activated yeast to a large bowl along with 12ml of olive oil and stir well.

  Then, mix 2gr of salt with 128gr of flour and gradually sift it into the yeast mixture. After that, use a spoon to mix the ingredients until they come together into a smooth, sticky dough.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  First fermentation of the dough

  Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a container, wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap and allowing it to ferment for the first time for 30 minutes.

  After 30 minutes, open the lid of the container, use both hands to stretch the dough upwards, hold it for about 30 seconds, then fold the dough back. Do the same for all 4 sides of the dough. Next, cover the dough tightly again and let it ferment for the second time for 45 minutes.

  After 45 minutes, use your hands to stretch the dough upwards to expose it to air for 30 seconds and fold it back. Repeat this process 4 times with the 4 corners of the dough. Then, let the dough ferment for the third time for another 30 minutes.

  Tip: After each fermentation, the dough will be quite wet, so to avoid sticking to your hands, you can moisten your hands with water or cooking oil.

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Second fermentation of the dough

  After the third fermentation, repeat the same actions as before (using both hands to stretch the dough upwards, holding for about 30 seconds, then folding the dough back), then let the dough ferment for the fourth time for 30 minutes.

  When finished fermenting, to prevent the dough from sticking to the utensils, sprinkle a layer of flour on the table, place the dough on the table, and shape it into a ball with your hands.

  Finally, cover the entire dough with a cloth and let it rest for the last 15 minutes.

  Tip: The dough is properly risen when, after each fermentation, it doubles in size, has many air bubbles, and shows signs of gluten development.

  

  
• 4

  Baking bread

  Preheat the air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes.

  Line a baking tray with parchment paper, place the shaped dough into it, and bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes.

  After baking, take the bread out and check; if it looks good, you can let it rest for an additional 3 minutes before taking it out. If you want a crispier crust, flip the bread and bake at 160 degrees Celsius for another 5 minutes.

  
• 5

  Final product

  Ciabatta bread has a golden crust, is crispy when bitten, and has a light aroma from the yeast. The inside is especially soft, moist, fluffy, and quite airy; it pairs perfectly with condensed milk or can be enjoyed with pâté, fruit jam, making it irresistible.

  With a not too complicated method and simple ingredients that don’t require an oven, I hope you all succeed in making this bread!