Nothing beats the aroma of fresh Easy Sesame Bread Rolls baking in your oven. These soft, fluffy dinner rolls require zero prior baking experience – making them the perfect project for beginner bakers.

Sesame bread rolls on a cooling rack

Table of contents

aise your hand if you love warm, homemade bread! Soft dinner rolls have been a comforting staple at family meals for generations. Topping them with nutty sesame seeds takes that classic flavor to the next level. This is a two-rise recipe; that second rise is the secret to achieving the perfect light texture and deep flavor.

A single bread roll on a white plate with a knife

Bread Rolls Without a Stand Mixer

These rolls are incredibly easy to make—and the best part? You don’t need a stand mixer. You can mix and knead this dough entirely by hand for perfect results every time.

Steps to Making the Easiest Bread Rolls

  • Activate the yeast: Combine the yeast with sugar and ½ of the warm milk until bubbles appear. This activates the yeast.
  • Combine wet ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, butter, salt, and eggs.
  • Bring it together: The yeast mixture is mixed into the flour. This can be all-purpose flour or bread flour, mixing until a sticky dough ball forms.
  • Knead the dough: Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky.
  • First rise: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
  • Shape the rolls: Punch down the dough, divide into equal pieces of the same size using a pastry cutter or sharp knife, and shape into rolls. To easily do this, cut the dough in half, then cut those in half. Continue this way until you have 16 dough pieces.
  • Second rise: Place rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet/baking tray, cover, and let rise again for 1 hour.
  • Prepare for baking: Brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds (poppy seeds or black sesame seeds can also be used)
  • Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
  • Cool and enjoy: Let rolls cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Fresh bread rolls fresh from the oven cooling on a wire rack

You can enjoy these simple white bread buns as a side to a meal with softened or melted butter, use as a Burger Bun, use for sandwiches, serve as an appetizer and dip into Bacon, Sage Butter or dunk into soup.

Freezing bread rolls


You can freeze the individually wrapped unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. 

What flour is best for bread rolls

I use all-purpose/plain flour for these rolls as this results in softer rolls. Bread flour can be used, but the rolls will be chewier.

Best yeast for bread rolls

I like active dry yeast. This needs to be activated in warm liquid before mixing. Instant yeast can also be used and with this, you can skip the activation and mix it right in with the ingredients before mixing.

Bread rolls in the shape of a holiday wreath

Serving Bread Rolls

These rolls go perfectly with hearty Soups, Fresh Salads, and Stews. For a festive touch, elevate your holiday spread by shaping the rosemary dough into a stunning bread roll wreath (pictured above). This elegant centerpiece stays fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days when stored in a sealed bag.

How to Store Leftover Rolls

To keep your rolls soft and fluffy for as long as possible, follow these simple storage steps:

  • Room Temperature: Once completely cool, place the rolls in a sealed airtight container or a zip-top bag. They will stay fresh on the counter for 2 to 3 days.
  • Avoid the Fridge: I don’t recommend refrigerating bread, as it actually causes it to stale faster. Keep them at room temperature or freeze them instead!
  • Freezing for Later: These rolls freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in foil or place them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

The Best Way to Reheat

To bring that “just-baked” magic back, wrap the rolls in foil and warm them in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 5–7 minutes. If they feel a little dry, a tiny splash of water on the crust before popping them in the oven will create steam and soften them right up.

A closeup of a bread rolls showing the soft and fluffy inside
5 from 15 reviews

Easy Sesame Bread Rolls

Janette
These easy rolls are soft and fluffy and perfect for any family meal.
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 16 rolls
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk, warmed to 100-110 °F (38-43°C)
  • 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted (see note)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 cups. (390 grams) all-purpose/plain flour, plus more for kneading
  • 1 egg yolk, whisked
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Add the yeast, sugar and ½ the of the milk to a small bowl and mix. Let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
  • In medium bowl, whisk together the rest of the milk, butter, salt and eggs. Set aside.
  • To a large bowl add the flour and mix in the wet ingredients until well combined.
    Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, dusting lightly with flour as needed until elastic and smooth and no longer sticky.
  • Coat a bowl lightly with oil and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  • Line a large baking sheet/tray with parchment paper.
    Divide the dough into 16 balls by cutting the dough in half, then cut each of them in half and repeating this until you have 16 pieces (you can weigh them for accuracy).
  • Place on the baking sheet/tray, close to each other. Cover with a towel and place in a warm area to rise for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Place the oven rack in the center of the oven.
  • Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg yolk. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

Note: To melt the butter, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on 50% power until melted.
 
Serving: 1, Calories: 60kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 142mg, Sugar: 2g
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