This Ciabatta bread is made with a simple refrigerator dough. Quick and easy you can have homemade bread on the table in no time! No more store bought!

I have to say this is one of my favorite doughs that I make. It’s fast, easy and so good. Keep a batch in the fridge and you can make a loaf of White Bread or even Cheese Bread whenever you please.

Table of Contents

Recipe Ingredients

1 pound refrigerator dough
Olive oil

What is Refrigerator Dough?

With four simple ingredients stirred together, this basic recipe is perfect to have on hand as it allows you to keep your dough in the fridge for up to two weeks! No kneading or heavy mixing needed, it is pretty much a hands-off recipe. You use a bit at a time and leave the rest for other loaves.

An easy dough that is perfect for a new baker who wants to try making their own homemade bread or anyone that loves to have fresh bread ready in no time.

You only need four ingredients, all purpose flour, yeast, water and salt and one large bowl to make it. Let it proof for a couple of hours, then you just stick it in the refrigerator. Once it proofs, you can use it for up to two weeks.

You can actually use the dough after a couple of hours of proofing but believe me the flavor is so much better if you wait at least 24 hours. It will be one of the best breads you will ever make or try.

How to make Refrigerator Ciabatta bread

Remove the dough from the fridge and sprinkle it with a bit of flour. Take the needed amount and put the rest back in the fridge. Quickly form the dough into an oval shape, cover with a tea towel and let it rest.

Place the dough on a floured parchment paper lined baking sheet, cover and let it rise in a warm draft free area for 1-2 hours.

Pre-heat the oven to 425F.

Before putting the dough in the oven add either a cup of hot water or some ice cubes (about 8) in the cake pan, then quickly & carefully place the dough on the cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes.

Move the baked bread immediately to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Why do I add ice cubes?

Adding the ice cubes to the preheated oven creates steam. They melt and evaporate at just the right time. Once they evaporate and are no longer creating steam this gives the bread a chance to form that lovely outer crust. I recommend using a thick metal dish rather than a glass or ceramic cake pan if you are using ice cubes as the difference in temperatures can cause the dish to crack.

How to tell when bread is done

You can tell bread is done when you tap on the bottom of the loaf and there is a hollow sound, but if you want to be 100 percent sure, then using a thermometer is your best bet, the bread is baked when the centre of the loaf registers 200 to 210 degrees.

What is Homemade Ciabatta bread?

This bread is originally from the North of Italy, from the Province of Rovigo in the Veneto Region. It is a flat, elongated bread with a light texture.

It is a very simple bread, made up of a very high quantity of water which produces a very wet dough and a very large crumb. It is considered a typical old fashioned Italian bread.

What to eat with Ciabatta bread?

I like to eat it with some of my favorite soups such as a Classic Minestrone Soup, or this Hearty Chickpea Soup or even this delicious Italian Beef and Potato Stew.

How to store it

Homemade bread should be stored in an airtight plastic bag or tightly wrapped in plastic or foil. It should be stored at room temperature and will last three to four days.

Can you freeze Ciabatta bread?

Be sure to let the loaf cool completely before freezing. Wrap it in plastic wrap (be sure to wrap tightly). Then wrap either in foil or place in air tight freezer bags. Bread will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

I hope you add this to your list of what to make with Refrigerator Dough! Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

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