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

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

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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.

How are ciabatta and focaccia 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.

What bread is most similar to focaccia? ›

Ciabatta is a popular Italian bread with a similar heritage to focaccia. It offers a rustic appearance and a chewy texture with a crispy crust, making it an excellent substitute for focaccia in sandwiches or as a side for Italian entrees.

What makes ciabatta different from other breads? ›

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.

What bread is most similar to ciabatta? ›

Ciriola. These small rolls are similar to ciabatta in the sense that they're crusty on the outside and tender on the inside.

What makes focaccia different? ›

Focaccia is a type of Italian bread made with yeast and a strong, high-gluten flour (like bread flour) and baked in flat sheet pans. Unlike pizza dough, it's left to rise after being rolled out before going in the oven.

Is focaccia bread better than normal bread? ›

Benefits for your figure and your health

Rather, focaccia provides complex carbohydrates that slowly give the body energy and help better regulate blood sugar levels,” Schirò explains. If it's made with whole wheat flour then it's got an extra edge. “It provides a greater amount of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Why do Italians eat focaccia? ›

But though pizza can stand in for a meal, focaccia is more of a snack, or at most an appetizer. In Italy, it's a popular walking-around food. Also, though cold pizza may have a certain raffish charm, focaccia really needs to be eaten when it's hot to be at its best.

What is the most popular bread in Italy? ›

Perhaps the most well-known and popular Italian bread, ciabatta is a slipper-shaped bread. It has a unique, almost plasticity, texture, which makes it possible to do practically anything with this bread.

What is another name for focaccia bread? ›

In Burgundy, focaccia is called foisse or fouaisse, in other areas of France it is known as fougasse. In Argentina, it is widely consumed under the name fugazza. The Spanish call it hogaza. Today we enjoy this versatile bread alone as a snack or light meal or on the side complimenting a full bodied Italian meal.

Which is healthier, ciabatta or sourdough? ›

Sourdough bread is healthier than traditional ciabatta bread. Ciabatta bread is a popular type of Italian bread, and therefore, is less nutritious than sourdough bread due to the leavening agent used. However, if you are searching for a healthier ciabatta bread, you can choose one made with sourdough or whole grains.

What is another name for ciabatta bread? ›

Ciabatta (Italian Slipper Bread)

Why does ciabatta bread taste so good? ›

It is comprised of just flour, yeast, and water. This fermented sponge is what gives the ciabatta its amazing, slightly tangy flavor.

What is similar to focaccia? ›

Pizza Bianca is a type of bread that is similar to focaccia, but is typically thinner and crispier. It is topped with olive oil, salt, and sometimes rosemary, and is often served as a snack or appetiser in Italy.

What kind of bread is served in Italian restaurants? ›

Focaccia Bread

Without a doubt, Focaccia is one of the most popular types of Italian bread. This type of Italian bread is baked in the oven and is commonly compared to pizza dough when it comes to style and texture. Usually, Focaccia bread is seasoned with salt, olive oil, and a variety of herbs.

What is the difference between focaccia and panini? ›

Confused ? A Panini is actually an Italian name for sandwiches ( It's a plural of Panino) . While a Sandwich in general represents anything between the two breads , Panini uses a specific Italian bread like Focaccia or Ciabatta. ( Focaccia is typically a flat bread while Ciabatta is baked as loaf bread.

What is the difference between bread dough and focaccia dough? ›

The primary difference is how much yeast is added to the dough and therefore how much the dough is able to rise. Focaccias use more yeast, which gives it a lighter, fluffier texture than a traditional pizza dough and is more closely resembles leavened bread.

What is the difference between artisan ciabatta and black pepper focaccia? ›

Black pepper focaccia is a soft and fluffy flatbread flavored with black pepper, while artisan ciabatta is a chewy and rustic bread made using very slow, traditional techniques. It is made with a wet dough left to rise slowly, giving it its characteristic holes and irregular shape.

What's the difference between ciabatta and panini? ›

Ciabatta is made with a strong flour and uses a very high hydration dough. While panini indicates any kind of sandwich regardless of the bread used (whether slices or a bun), toasted sandwiches made from small loaves of ciabatta are known as "panini" outside Italy.

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