Chef John's Whole Wheat Ciabatta

Chef John's whole wheat ciabatta recipe uses a blend of flours to create the perfect, crusty-yet-chewy bread experience.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 135 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 0.5 cup whole wheat flour
• 1.75 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 teaspoons honey
• 0.25 cup rye flour
• 0.5 cup water at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon polenta
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
• 0.5 teaspoon cornmeal, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Make the sponge: Stir warm water, flours (all-purpose flour, whole wheat, and rye), and yeast together in a large bowl until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit until bubbly and doubled in volume, 5 to 6 hours.

Step 2

Start the ciabatta: Stir all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, water, sunflower seeds, polenta, flax seeds, salt, and honey into sponge with a wooden spoon until a very sticky dough ball forms, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in volume, 10 hours to overnight.

Step 3

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dust parchment paper with 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour and cornmeal.

Step 4

Scrape dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface; press down to remove air, then form into a smooth oval loaf. Place dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Dust top of loaf lightly with remaining 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hours.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place a baking dish filled with water on the bottom rack of the oven.

Step 6

Remove plastic wrap from risen dough and mist the top of the dough with water.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven, misting the top of the loaf with water every 8 to 10 minutes, until loaf is golden and sounds hollow when tapped, 30 to 35 minutes total. Transfer bread to a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing.