What is the difference between focaccia and ciabatta? - MiMi FOODS (2024)

What is the difference between focaccia and ciabatta? - MiMi FOODS (1)

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is “What is the difference between focaccia and ciabatta?”. Although both breads have originated in Italy and are made with similar ingredients, it is important to know that the two are fundamentally different. Here are three differentiating points between focaccia and ciabatta:

Texture: Focaccia has a lightweight, cake-like consistency that is similar to pizza dough. On the other hand, ciabatta has a dense consistency and a chewy texture.
Baking: Focaccia is baked as a flatbread, while Ciabatta is baked as loaves.
Serving: Focaccia is incredibly versatile and can be served as an antipasto, appetizer, table bread or snack. In contrast, ciabatta serves as a delicious sandwich bread.

At Mimi Foods, we created popular formulations of focaccia including: herb, pesto, tomato, focaccia Barese and stuffed focaccia with jalapeno and cheddar cheese. What does your next custom dough creation look like? Tell us more about your next custom dough project at artisticdough@mimifoods.ca

Submit a Comment

What is the difference between focaccia and ciabatta? - MiMi FOODS (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between focaccia and ciabatta? - MiMi FOODS? ›

FOCACCIA IS A FLAT OVEN-BAKED ITALIAN BREAD PRODUCT SIMILAR IN STYLE AND TEXTURE TO PIZZA DOUGH. DID YOU KNOW?… THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOCACCIA AND CIABATTA IS THAT THE LATTER IS BAKED AS LOAVES. FOCACCIA IS INCREDIBLY VERSATILE AND CAN BE TURNED INTO DELICIOUS, CRISPY SANDWICH BREAD.

What is the difference between ciabatta and focaccia? ›

Texture: Focaccia has a lightweight, cake-like consistency that is similar to pizza dough. On the other hand, ciabatta has a dense consistency and a chewy texture. Baking: Focaccia is baked as a flatbread, while Ciabatta is baked as loaves.

What is the difference between focaccia and bread? ›

How Is Focaccia Different From Other Bread? Focaccia is ½" to 1" thick with a light crust on the top and bottom. It's often described as "flatbread" or "Italian flat bread," but unlike the flat bread we're used to, it isn't flat at all, but thick and fluffy.

Can you use ciabatta instead of focaccia? ›

Random idea: can I use the same dough for ciabatta and (after overnight fermentation) focaccia? ?? They are different breads so, no .

What makes ciabatta different? ›

Ciabatta is baked with a much higher hydration level, making the holes within the dough much bigger than a baguette. Ciabatta is also baked with a much stronger flour, which has a more delicate and sweet taste. Baguettes also tend to be baked more golden brown.

What bread is most similar to focaccia? ›

Schiacciata is a kind of bread traditionally made in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, in central Italy. It tastes a lot like focaccia, but unlike the focaccia made in Genoa, Schiacciata does not require a very lengthy process and it can easily be made at home as the dough is really forgiving.

What is unique about focaccia bread? ›

Focaccia is an olive oil-rich Italian bread we can't decide is better described metaphorically as a sponge or a springy mattress. It's crispy and golden on the top and bottom crusts, and inside, it has an airy crumb (meaning there are tons of air holes, big and small, that squish in the best way possible).

How unhealthy is focaccia bread? ›

Like croissants and brioche buns, focaccia is high in calories and fat. Most people aren't aware of it, but it contains a lot of olive oil, which in excess has the same effect. To lose weight, people should choose whole-grain or rye bread, which has more fibre and is lower in fat and calories.

Is focaccia served warm or cold? ›

Focaccia is one of those breads that truly requires the right recipe and technique in order for it to be really good because it's quite easy for it to come out too doughy, chewy, or dense. And most importantly it should be served warm not cold.

Why is focaccia expensive? ›

So why does it tend to be more expensive to purchase? Friends who have worked in the restaurant industry had some thoughts: Focaccia requires a lot of olive oil, which is pricey (though some other breads call for butter and eggs, which pencil out to more in my own Kirkland-brand-olive-oil kitchen).

What is the French version of ciabatta bread? ›

Baguettes were around long before ciabatta bread. This French bread is made using wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt.

What are the two types of focaccia? ›

Venetian focaccia is sweet, baked for Easter and resembles the traditional Christmas cake panettone. Sugar and butter are used instead of olive oil and salt. Focaccia barese, which is common in Puglia in southern Italy, is made with durum wheat flour and topped with salt, rosemary, tomatoes or olives.

Is it best to toast ciabatta bread? ›

We recommend using Ciabatta bread for the perfect 'Italian Toast'! Simply slice the Ciabatta into 1cm thick pieces, toast each side on a griddle pan (or you can use a toaster) and then drizzle with Giuliano's Extra Virgin Olive Oil and season with the salt & pepper.

What do you eat ciabatta with? ›

Slice ciabatta at an angle and serve with olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper for dipping. Or make sandwiches filled with Italian meats, cheese and tomatoes. Ciabatta bread also works well in toasted or grilled sandwiches (known as 'panini' in Britain).

Why is my ciabatta not crispy? ›

If your crust is becoming soft too quickly and not staying crispy you simply need to bake the bread longer. The best way to do this is to lower the temperature of your oven slightly and bake a few more minutes to achieve the same color you would have at the higher temperature.

What is the taste of ciabatta? ›

Ciabatta bread is an Italian bread often eaten with soups and sauces. It has a crispy crust and a chewy interior, with a salty, sour flavor.

Is ciabatta bread better for you than regular bread? ›

No.

Ciabatta bread is relatively high in carbohydrates and has nearly zero grams of fiber,” Richards cautioned. Mowrer added some other red flags, which include “higher carbs, calories and sodium per slice compared to other bread.”

Is focaccia bread healthier? ›

Another advantage of focaccia is that it's made with extra-virgin olive oil, which is full of 'good' fats, as opposed to lard, butter or palm oil found in commercial baked goods, which can contain hydrogenated fats and which, when consumed in excess, favor a rise in levels of 'bad' cholesterol, to the detriment of your ...

Is focaccia bread unhealthy? ›

Focaccia bread, like many foods, isn't inherently unhealthy, but its health impact depends on the ingredients used and how it's consumed within your overall diet.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duncan Muller

Last Updated:

Views: 6359

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duncan Muller

Birthday: 1997-01-13

Address: Apt. 505 914 Phillip Crossroad, O'Konborough, NV 62411

Phone: +8555305800947

Job: Construction Agent

Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.