Soft and fluffy, these Easy Sesame Bread Rolls are unbeatable straight from the oven. No prior baking experience needed – these dinner rolls are incredibly simple to make.

Sesame bread rolls on a cooling rack

Raise your hand if you’re a fan of warm, homemade bread. Warm, soft homemade dinner rolls has been a comforting staple at family meals for generations. Top them with nutty sesame seeds and they’re taken to the next level. 

This is a 2 rise bread recipe. The 2nd rise is important for texture and flavor.

A single bread roll on a white plate with a knife

Bread rolls without stand mixer

Did I mention how easy they are? And you don’t need a mixer, they’re made by hand.

Steps to making the Easiest Bread Rolls

  • Activate the yeast:  Combine the yeast with sugar and 1/2 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.

Best way to store bread rolls

They will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerated in a sealed container or bag. 

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

Festive way to serve bread rolls

Elevate your holiday spread with a stunning bread roll wreath. Made with rosemary bread rolls, shaped into a festive circle, add a touch of elegance to any Christmas table.

If you’ve tried these Easy Sesame Bread Rolls or any other recipe on the blog, then don’t forget give the recipe a star rating. You can also ask a question or leave a comment in the area below.

Yield: 16 rolls

Easy Sesame Bread Rolls

A closeup of a bread rolls showing the soft and fluffy inside

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

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 flour/plain flour, plus more for kneading
  • 1 egg yolk, whisked
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Add the yeast, sugar and ½ the of the milk to a small bowl and mix. Let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In medium bowl, whisk together the rest of the milk, butter, salt and eggs. Set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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).
  6. 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.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Place the oven rack in the center of the oven.
  8. 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.

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 60Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 42mgSodium 142mgCarbohydrates 3gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 2gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 2g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.