Discover the joy of homemade bread with these soft and fluffy French Bread Rolls, perfect for any occasion! Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and a touch of sugar, these rolls boast a wonderfully light texture and a slightly crisp golden crust. The dough comes together effortlessly with just a bit of kneading, and the result is bakery-quality bread right from your own kitchen. Ready in under 2 hours, including rise and bake time, these versatile rolls are great for dinner, sandwiches, or simply enjoyed warm with butter. Customize the crust—brushed with water for crispness or butter for a softer finish—to suit your taste. Baking these classic French Bread Rolls is a rewarding and beginner-friendly way to elevate your meals with homemade charm.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly.
Add the vegetable oil, salt, and 2 cups (about 260g) of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well until a sticky dough forms.
Gradually add the remaining flour, about 1/4 cup (30g) at a time, while stirring or kneading, until the dough is no longer sticky and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it by hand for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5 minutes.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Punch the dough down to release any air bubbles. Divide it into 12 equal portions and shape each portion into a smooth ball.
Arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Cover them again with the kitchen towel and let them rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Just before baking, you can brush the tops of the rolls with water for a crispier crust, or with melted butter for a softer, golden crust.
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Calories |
180 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.6 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 244 mg | 11% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.0 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.2 g | ||
| Protein | 4.5 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 6 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 45 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.